There's a talent war going on thanks to a strong labor market in the United States. Unemployment is low, and thousands of companies seek top employees to get an edge in today's highly competitive global marketplace. Hiring trends favor the job seeker in 2017, as established companies and startups alike need the best employees to get their products and services out there faster and more efficiently.
Employers Need Applicants
In Manpower Group’s 2016 Talent Shortage Survey, 40 percent of employers said they struggled to find the right workers to fill positions. Further, one in four participants in the survey said they lacked applicants in general, meaning people simply weren't applying for jobs. One of the biggest hiring trends in this talent war is that employers are unwilling to compromise. Vacancies will exist until employers find the right candidates. Therefore, you must apply for positions that are the right fit for you.
Greatest Needs
Several types of careers are in high demand. If you want a really good career and not just a job, consider positions such as a sales rep, engineer, technician, finance professional, administrative assistant or driver, as these positions list high among 2017's hiring trends. Survey participants also listed these positions as some of the hardest to fill. Find companies that have the greatest needs, and you may be rewarded.
Training
Companies sometimes need to retain the right talent. As such, hiring trends in 2017 revolve around providing more on-the-job training. As many as 53 percent of employers in the survey said they offer on-the-job training to existing employees. You still need great soft skills and technical ability to land a job, but you can take advantage of professional development opportunities offered by employers to keep your career moving forward.
The Right Fit
Seek out jobs that are the right fit for your talents. That means carefully examining the job description to make sure you truly qualify for the job. Employers want to make quick, efficient hires. While one in four positions don't have enough applicants, one in five positions have people who apply for jobs who don't have the necessary qualifications.
Keep an eye out for engaging job descriptions that stand apart from normal postings. Those descriptions may indicate a company that thinks outside the box when it comes to finding top talent. Hiring trends in 2017 lean towards picking the best possible people, so if you lack any of the major qualifications, you should address this in your cover letter.
Better Compensation
Employers want you to feel valued. As such, salaries are expected to increase 2.9 percent in 2017. Companies also add more perks and benefits on top of your base salary as a way to land top employees. In the search for great talent, companies are willing to spend more money to create the best possible workforce.
Hiring trends for 2017 favor job seekers across multiple industries and fields. As great hires advance from one job to the next, they create more openings at lower levels. The hiring war favors everyone seeking a job as the economy expands.
Photo courtesy of Sira Anamwong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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