Beantown Web presents a series of Special Reports on the prospects for work for Web technology professionals in 2008.
- Part 1 focuses on big-picture hiring trends for 2008
- Part 2 focuses on non-entry level skills in demand in 2008
- Part 3 focuses on information technology skills in demand for 2008
- Part 4 focuses on non-technical skills in demand for 2008
Part 1
CareerBuilder.com surveyed more than 3,000 hiring managers and human resource professionals about their hiring plans for the first quarter of 2008.
On average, nearly one out of three employers (32 percent) plan to increase their number of full-time, permanent employees in 2008. Only eight percent plan to decrease staff levels in 2008.
Hiring By Industry
Some industries are expected to create jobs at a faster rate than other industries. In particular, above average job creation is expected in the following industries (percentage of employers expected to add full-time, permanent employees in 2008):
- Information Technology (45 percent)
- Professional and Business Services (45 percent)
- Transportation and Utilities (37 percent)
- Financial Services (34 percent)
Eight Major Trends
Here are eight trends you can use to your advantage when exploring work opportunities in 2008:
- Bigger Paychecks
- More Flexible Work Arrangements
- Screening Candidates Via the Internet
- Rehiring Retirees
- Diversity Recruitment
- Freelance or Contract Hiring
- More Comprehensive Healthcare Benefits and Special Perks
- Career Advancement
You can learn more about these trends by accessing a press release from CareerBuilder.com. Then, identify the three trends that you feel you can use to your personal advantage when exploring opportunities in the New Year and develop strategies to capitalize on these trends.
Conclusion:
Once again, the information technology sector is expected to lead the way in creating new jobs in 2008. Workers with the most in-demand technology skills are expected to have less trouble securing work in the New Year regardless of which way the economy turns.
Beantown Web will highlight the most in-demand technology skills for 2008 in future parts of this 2008 Job Forecast Special Report.
