23% of Employers Plan to Hire Additional Workers in Q2

Matt Ferguson, CEO of Careerbuilder

Stable hiring is expected for the second quarter as U.S. employers continue to size up a market that is producing moderate economic growth, according to CareerBuilder’s latest job forecast. Twenty-six percent of employers plan to increase full-time, permanent headcount in the next three months, similar to projections for the previous two quarters, but trending below Q2 estimates last year.

The national survey, which was conducted online by Harris Interactive^© from February 11 to March 6, 2013, included more than 2,000 hiring managers and human resource professionals across industries and company sizes.

“The U.S. job market is in a better place today, but concerns over spending cuts, wavering global economies and other factors are weighing on employers’ minds,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. “We expect continued stability and improvement as the year goes on. When we look at listings on CareerBuilder.com, job growth isn’t confined to technology and healthcare and other areas that have fared well post-recession. The rebound in the housing sector is having a positive influence on job creation for related industries that have been struggling.” Continue Reading

32% of Employers Hiring College Grads for Jobs Once Reserved for High School Grads

Brent Rasmussen of Careerbuilder

Need another reason to stay in school after high school and get a degree from a one-, two-, or four-year college or university?

A recent survey illustrates just how important higher education has become to employers in virtually every industry. Employers have historically looked for educated labor to fill high skill positions but now more and more report that they’re also demanding post-secondary degrees from candidates who wish to fill lower skill jobs as well. Thirty-two percent of hiring managers and human resource professionals said they are hiring more employees with college degrees for positions that were historically held by high school graduates. While this trend is most prevalent among financial services organizations, it spans across various industries: Continue Reading

41% of Employers Suffering Loss of Productivity Due to Difficulty Hiring for I.T., Sales, Engineering, Other Positions

Matt Ferguson, CEO of Careerbuilder

The growing deficit of skilled labor needed to fill in-demand jobs is causing a drag on employers across the globe. A significant number of employers in the ten largest world economies said that extended job vacancies have resulted in lower revenue and productivity and the inability to grow their businesses. Employers in China were the most likely to report having open positions they cannot fill and corresponding negative effects on their company performance. Russia houses the largest percentage of employers reporting a revenue shortfall tied to extended job vacancies while the U.S. is among those most likely to report a productivity loss. Japan ranked high among those who said the inability to find skilled talent has impeded expansion of their businesses.

The global CareerBuilder survey, conducted online by Harris Interactive^© from November 1 to November 30, 2012, included more than 6,000 hiring managers and human resource professionals in countries with the largest gross domestic product.

“The inability to fill high skill jobs can have an adverse ripple effect, hindering the creation of lower-skilled positions, company performance and economic expansion,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. “Major world economies are feeling the effects of this in technology, healthcare, production and other key areas. The study underlines how critical it is for the government, private sector and educational institutions to work together to prepare and reskill workers for opportunities that can help move the needle on employment and economic growth.” Continue Reading

82% of Applicants Expect Answers From Employers Yet Only 25% Get It

Sanja Licina of Careerbuilder

Job hunting can be a frustrating process especially if you have no idea whether the employer made a decision or even saw your application. More than one in four workers reported that they have had a bad experience when applying for a job. The vast majority (75 percent) of workers who applied to jobs using various resources in the last year said they never heard back from the employer, according to a nationwide CareerBuilder survey.

While this speaks to the challenges of finding employment in a highly competitive market, it also brings to light negative implications for today’s employers. The survey shows candidates who have had a bad experience when applying for a position are less likely to seek employment at that company again and are more likely to discourage friends and family from applying or purchasing products from that company. The study of more than 3,900 U.S. workers was conducted online by Harris Interactive^© from November 1 to November 30, 2012.

How important is it to acknowledge every job applicant? Continue Reading

30% of Those Date Who Co-Workers Get Married to One

Office romance photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Looking for love this Valentine’s Day? It may just be in the cube next to you. Thirty-nine percent of workers said they have dated a co-worker at least once over the course of their career; 17 percent reported dating co-workers at least twice. Thirty percent of those who have dated a co-worker said their office romance led them to the altar. This is according to CareerBuilder’s annual office romance survey of more than 4,000 workers nationwide, conducted online by Harris Interactive^© between November 1 and November 30, 2012.

How Many Dated the Boss?

While the majority of relationships developed between peers, 29 percent of workers who have dated someone at work said they have dated someone above them in the company hierarchy, and16 percent admitted to dating their boss. Women were more likely to date someone higher up in their organization – 38 percent compared to 21 percent of men.

Which Industries Have the Most Romance? Continue Reading

Best Paying Jobs For Those With Two-Year Associate’s Degree

Brent Rasmussen of Careerbuilder

Although income is directly correlated to education with those making the most tending to have the most years of education, that doesn’t mean that those with Associate’s or two-year college degrees are doomed to a life of poverty. Far from it. Indeed, many of the most lucrative professions don’t require a Bachelor’s degree and many top-paying jobs only require an Associate’s degree.

“Nearly one in five employers (18 percent) reported that their educational requirements for jobs in their organizations have increased over the last five years,” said Brent Rasmussen, President of CareerBuilder North America. “A college education is one of the best investments you can make. Not only does it increase the amount of opportunities available to you, it also significantly boosts your earning potential.” Continue Reading

Top 10 Best Paying Jobs for Four-Year College Grads

Photo of petroleum engineer courtesy of Shutterstock

Many college and university students and graduates are motivated by a desire to make the world a better place. Many are motivated by money. And many are motivated by a combination of the two along with other factors. But if money is important to you then this list of the highest paying occupations for college graduates should be of great interest. Continue Reading

Looking for a Job? Look at Healthcare.

Photo of healthcare professionals courtesy of Shutterstock

Healthcare continues to be one of the hottest areas for hiring in the U.S. and one of the toughest to recruit in-demand talent. A new annual survey finds 22 percent of healthcare hiring managers plan to add full-time, permanent healthcare employees in the New Year, up three percentage points over 2012. At the same time, 23 percent of health care employers reported that they currently have open positions for which they can’t find qualified talent.

Thirteen percent of all U.S. jobs are in healthcare and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the U.S. will add 5.6 million health care jobs from 2010 to 2020, the largest projected increase of any industry.  Continue Reading

70% of Workers Say Increased Pay Key to Their Retention

Rosemary Haefner of Careerbuilder

If you could have one perk – any perk – in your workplace, what would it be? If you had the choice, would you rather have a bigger title or a bigger office? If you were thinking about leaving your company, what would make you stay? A new survey explores which job factors are most important to today’s workers. More than 3,900 full-time workers nationwide participated in the survey conducted online by Harris Interactive from November 1 to November 30, 2012.

Nearly one-third of employers (32 percent) reported that top performers left their organizations in 2012 and 39 percent are concerned that they’ll lose top talent in 2013. While most workers (66 percent) stated that they are generally satisfied with their jobs, one in four (25 percent) said they will change jobs in 2013 or 2014. Continue Reading

Optimism By Employers: India Most and Italy Least

Matt Ferguson, CEO of Careerbuilder

A new job forecast for the 10 largest world economies tells a tale of both confidence and caution. Brazil and India are voicing the greatest confidence with more than two-thirds of employers in these markets planning to add full-time, permanent headcount in 2013. Italy is the least optimistic, housing more employers who expect to decrease staff than those who expect to hire.

“The job outlook presents varying degrees of growth and deceleration as governments and businesses strive to rebuild and expand and deal with large deficits,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. “Hiring activity in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) is projected to be significantly higher than other markets while recruitment in Europe remains sluggish as leaders struggle to resolve a debt crisis that has global implications. The overall hiring picture is improving, but companies will remain watchful as they navigate headwinds and maneuver through somewhat precarious economic terrain.” Continue Reading