Where Did the Jobs Go?

What are your clients saying about the job market?
In North America we cover all industries and all skill sets—from clerical to light industrial to professional skills like legal, finance, and accounting—and positions for both permanent and temporary staffing … Unlike in 2001, we've seen employers continue to add permanent employees with professional skills … We still see a lot of clients active in the job market.

What are their plans for the rest of the year?
There are fewer companies saying they're adding new jobs in the second quarter than there were in the first quarter. But fewer companies are saying they're cutting either. It's a bit of a regression back to the center. We also expect to see that large companies may have more of an inclination to add jobs versus smaller companies. Some are reducing their workforce in one area but adding to their workforce in another area … The real question is, can we produce enough jobs in professional skill areas? That would fit with the long-term trend of growth in [jobs requiring] professional skills and the movement we're seeing from a manufacturing to a service-based economy.

What can a job seeker do to improve his or her chances of being hired in a tight market?
The most important thing for people to do when looking for a job is to really think about what it is that a company needs and how they can translate their skills and experience to make sure they can help solve problems for that employer … There were many people in the mortgage business, for example, who have skills in financial analysis … That's a skill many employers have a great demand for now.

How quickly do you think the overall job market will improve?
Over the course of the next few months I'd expect the job numbers are going to be negative. In the short-term I think we still have to get through some things in the economy that are keeping pressure on the overall numbers. But over the longer term I think the job market is going to be good.

© 2008