The 2010 Job Forecast Hopes to Bring More Sun and Fewer Dark Clouds

Amy Winter
Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800
Lifestyle

The year of 2010 looks to be a little brighter, at least when it comes to the job market. Employers are starting to consider hiring strategies that could protect the future growth of their companies, according to CareerBuilder's 2010 Job Forecast, which questioned more than 2,700 hiring managers and human resource professionals.

Twenty percent of managers hope to increase their full-time staffs in 2010, compared to 14 percent in 2009. When it comes to part-time positions, 11 percent of employers plan to hire more part-timers this year, which has increased from 9 percent in 2009. And 61 percent of respondents want to maintain the same full-time worker numbers.

"There have been many signs over the past few months that point to the healing of the U.S. economy, especially the continued decrease in the number of jobs lost per month, a trend that will hopefully carry over into the new year," says Matt Ferguson, CareerBuilder's CEO. "Although 20 percent of employers plan to add headcount in 2010, up from 14 percent last year, they still remain cautious in regards to their hiring."
Updated: Wed Jan 06, 2010

The year of 2010 looks to be a little brighter, at least when it comes to the job market. Employers are starting to consider hiring strategies that could protect the future growth of their companies, according to CareerBuilder's 2010 Job Forecast, which questioned more than 2,700 hiring managers and human resource professionals.

Twenty percent of managers hope to increase their full-time staffs in 2010, compared to 14 percent in 2009. When it comes to part-time positions, 11 percent of employers plan to hire more part-timers this year, which has increased from 9 percent in 2009. And 61 percent of respondents want to maintain the same full-time worker numbers.

"There have been many signs over the past few months that point to the healing of the U.S. economy, especially the continued decrease in the number of jobs lost per month, a trend that will hopefully carry over into the new year," says Matt Ferguson, CareerBuilder's CEO. "Although 20 percent of employers plan to add headcount in 2010, up from 14 percent last year, they still remain cautious in regards to their hiring."

Although hiring is supposed to increase, unemployment will not completely disappear. Many unemployed workers will most likely return to the job search with the more positive job-market forecast, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.'s 2010 Job Market Outlook. Layoffs have gradually declined since January 2009.

"The end of the year is typically when we see a surge in layoff activity," says John A. Challenger, chief executive officer. "The fact that job cuts continued to decline in the fourth quarter is a good sign that the job market has truly started the recovery process. Unfortunately, the recovery process is slow, so it could be several months or even years before unemployment returns to pre-recession levels."

Workers may have a better chance of finding a position in the western part of the country. When it comes to hiring more workers, the Northeast, the South and the Midwest areas follow the West. The industries involving information technology, manufacturing, financial services, professional and business services, and sales will most likely contain the greatest number of open positions.

CareerBuilder presents trends that companies hope to bring to the table in 2010:

— Strengthen work force. Employers hope to replace their lower-performing workers with higher performers.

— Focus more on social media. Social media can help improve a company's brand.

— Bring back laid-off employees and retirees.

— Reduce benefits and perks. Benefits that could be cut are bonuses, medical coverage, 401 (k) matching and office benefits (coffee, condiments, snacks).

— Provide flexible work schedules. More flexibility leads to a better work/life balance for employees. Options include alternate schedules (come in early, leave early or come in later, leave later), telecommuting, compressed workweeks, summer hours, job sharing.

— Find freelance or contract workers. Freelance employees could be a better option than hiring full-time workers.

— Add green jobs. Companies want to be environmentally conscious in order to improve conservation.

— Hire bilingual workers. Knowing another language will be helpful as workplaces try to become more diverse.

— Decrease business travel.

Remain optimistic if you are still looking for a job. This new year brings new options with companies attempting to strengthen their working staffs.