The Employment Outlook Crystal Ball for 2011

Modest upticks in several sectors of the economy provide some glimmers of hope for the U.S. economy in 2011 - including a healthy start to the holiday buying season. As we peer into our crystal ball, and check recent surveys, what are some of the projections for next year in employment and careers?

Insights on the employment outlook
A December 2010 survey by Dice Holdings, Inc., a provider of specialized employment websites, uncovers a somewhat brighter job outlook for next year. "After 10 consecutive months of private sector employment growth, half of employers and recruiters anticipate more professionals will be hired in the first half of 2011 than the previous six months," according to the survey. They also found that the pace of hiring is being slowed by a shortage of skilled professionals that match job requirements, rather than the slow economy. Employers are also becoming concerned about losing employees who may choose to leave voluntarily; keeping top employees happy and productive will be key.

Manpower, Inc., a global recruitment and workforce solutions company, reports employers sensing more stability in employment than back in 2009, with modest increases in hiring. This represents an important foundation for further growth in 2011. Employers in Mining, Wholesale and Retail, Professional and Business Services, Leisure and Hospitality have seen the most growth in the fourth quarter of 2010.

In their Market Outlook for Chicago (4th Quarter 2010), PNC Financial Services Group states that hiring will continue to be weak. However, the report offers some hope in its statement, "Chicago's collective high quality skill base will attract high-paying positions more quickly than other areas can."

Careers that are hot…and not?
Employers convinced they will see a return on investment are committing resources to information technology jobs. According to the staffing firm Robert Half International, developers of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) applications will have the most job opportunities. ERP software runs accounting, payroll, and other office systems, and these systems are in need of updating. User interface/user experience (UI/UX) designers have opportunities as well. Mobile application designers and developer jobs are the newest of the tech jobs on the scene, and in demand as companies want a convenient web presence on smart phones. The Robert Half International list also included data modelers and analysts of business systems and intelligence.

AOL recently reported on the "Top 10 Most Secure Jobs in 2011." These jobs include nurse, physical therapist, pharmacist, physician/surgeon, indicating continuing progress in the healthcare industry. The tech jobs that are most secure are computer systems analyst and administrator, computer software engineer, and biomedical and environmental engineer. Accountants, auditors, financial advisors also made the list, due to continuing increases in legislation and regulation in various industries.

Timing is important to consider as well. The Washington Post reports on a community college program in Florida which trains people for jobs in the green economy. However, because the market for renewable energy products is still in its infancy, the demand for workers is weak. Typically, the research jobs are at the front of the green industry employment pipeline, and the jobs using or installing the new technology come later.

In the workplace of today - and tomorrow - all individuals need to develop career resilience. In a recent article in U.S. News and World Report titled "Why Recession-Proof Jobs are a Myth" Chief Business Correspondent Rick Newman writes, "Focusing on safety and stability may be the wrong way to pursue a rewarding career. There's mounting evidence that adaptable skills, creativity, and lifelong learning are the new determinants of success, with the biggest rewards going to people with multidisciplinary experience who can apply lessons learned in one field to another." Sage advice. A key element of career resilence is knowing how to leverage your strengths - by knowing your unique profile of natural talents, or aptitudes, and how you can use them to do different tasks and jobs.

Hunting for those elusive jobs
Richard Bolles, author of the best-selling job hunting book, What Color Is Your Parachute?, says that finding a job today requires advanced job-hunting skills. In a AOL Jobs article, Bolles explains, "Most of us have job-hunting skills, but they are comparatively elementary - good enough for us to find jobs during easy times (write a good resume, go on the Internet, learn how to conduct a decent interview) but sadly inadequate to find those jobs that are out there, during a post-recession period such as this."

Among the advanced job search skills Bolles recommends are approaching employers without using a resume, using LinkedIn and other Internet tools, and getting into a support group of other job-hunters.
We would add defining your job target, researching companies, networking strategically, and ensuring your presence online is professional. Finally, Bolles says hard work is necessary. Job-hunting is a full-time job.

Managing your career in a sluggish economy
Those of you who are employed may ask what are some ways to ride out this painfully slow period - and perhaps even spot some new opportunities?

•	Continue to keep current on your skills and knowledge
•	Stay informed on your industry, your profession, and your company, and watch for trends
•	Look for new ways to make a contribution at work
•	Demonstrate initiative and a realistic yet positive attitude
•	Manage your personal finances: continue to seek ways to spend less, save more, and pay off debt
•	Develop a source of second income to relieve the financial pressure - a part-time job or home-based business

Related articles:
4 Smart Moves When the Economy Slows
The High Touch, High Tech Way to Get Hired
3 Essentials to Successful Networking
7 Job Search Strategies in a Tough College Job Market
Use Social Media to Accomplish Your Career Goals
Resolve to Build Your Career R&R This Year

© Copyright 2010, Career Vision. Article may be reprinted with permission.

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