According to surveys, we should start to see some encouraging trends for those of us working for a living. Richard Castellini from CareerBuilder.com has the story.
Trend 1: Bigger Paychecks. Employers plan on offering more to existing employees and new hires. Gain an advantage by knowing where you stand within the market for your position. Salary.com may be a little bit of a help here, but I’ve had mixed results.
Trend 2: Hiring Retirees. Employers will be looking to hire retirees. If you’re approaching or in retirement but you’d be willing to work, gain an advantage by letting people know you’re looking and by networking with everyone you can think of.
Trend 3: More Diveristy. Companies want to hire diverse employees. “Diversity” may mean race, sex, background, ot toast preference. (Buttered? with jelly? rye?) Everyone is an individual—yes, we are all individuals—and therefore has something about them which can be used to emphasize their diverse qualities. Gain an advantage by letting your interviewee know how you thrive on diversity.
Trend 4: Flexible Arrangements. It’s the new millennium (and has been for some time). Bosses understand the needs of the modern man and woman and will attempt to convince you that flexible work arrangements are encouraged. You still have to prove you’re worth it; gain an advantage by laying out a plan and making it work.
Trend 5: Faster Hiring Cycles. In my immediate environment, it can take months to fill an open position. According to the article, this cycle will shorten in 2006. Everyone benefits in this situation, other than recruiters, who may see less work. Gain an advantage my moving quickly, responding quickly, and following-up.
Trend 6: Critical Skills. I’m not convinced that this is a change for 2006, but to gain an advantage, be familiar with technology, management and motivation, and possibly more than one language.
Looking at these trends as a whole, it seems to be a possibility that we’re going to be shifting from an “employer’s market” to an “employee’s market.” This is good news for people who are looking for something better than what they have currently.
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9:51 pm (reply)
Good trends but I’m wary of believing the numbers given by Salary.com.
9:55 pm (reply)
Yeah, like I’ve said, the numbers seem off based on what I know of salaries within my company (and with access to the division’s budget, I know a lot of people’s salaries…).
10:08 am (reply)
Hi Flexo,
Commenting on your blog after a long time. Happy New year to you.
What is the best way to find your true worth, I mean based on the employer and current market trends and location—I mean some employers are known to be good pay masters and some aren’t.
BTW I visited Colonial Williamsburg over the new year weekend.
Rgds,
Ravi
2:41 pm (reply)
I’ve read “Free Agent Nation” from Daniel Pink, worth to read. He is talking about trend that more and more people starting to work as self-employed.