In our latest survey of the U.S. workforce, we found that worker confidence hit its highest level since July 2004 (when we first started the monthly survey). This renewed level of confidence was due in part to workers' more optimistic viewpoint on the economy and on the job market. Today's report by the government on job creation seems to support the higher confidence levels as job growth was higher than estimated.
The good news is that job growth continues to be broad-based in a wide range of industries. U.S. Workers are in demand and will continue to be in demand for the foreseeable future. So, as a current or potential job seeker, you are facing an excellent situation. And the more skills and experience you can get, the better off you will be in your job hunt.
So, as we close out 2006, how do you feel about your present situation? Do you feel more confident in the strength of the job market and economy?
For more information on our latest worker confidence survey, please click here.
I am also introducing the SpherionTheAir podcast which will feature regular segments on our views of the job market and the trends that are shaping the workplace of today. To listen to or download these podcasts, please click here for Quicktime users and here for Windows Media Player users. SpherionTheAir will soon be available at the iTunes Music Store for those of you that want to take us with you on your iPod.
Enjoy!
You may have seen the news about the government’s latest job report which showed weaker job creation last month. On first glance, the report didn’t look very positive and created many questions among job seekers. Only 51,000 jobs created? Are we headed for a recession? Should I stay put in my job?
But a closer look at the results revealed that the news really wasn’t all that bad. Yes, only 51,000 jobs were created, but prior months’ reports were revised and looked much stronger than initially reported. I expect this initial report of 51,000 jobs to be revised up next month as well.
At the same time, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.6% -- that’s extremely low and is consistent with what we are seeing in the job market – a real shortage of good, skilled workers.
So, in my opinion, the outlook for job seekers is pretty good right now. Companies are creating a wide range of jobs across the country and the pool of available workers continues to shrink. When employers have fewer candidates to choose from, it gives you more options and puts you in the driver’s seat.
Our most recent confidence survey shows that workers are feeling more positive about their overall situation as well. This is yet another sign that job seekers are finding favorable conditions in today’s labor market.
Remember, one month of slowed job creation isn’t a trend and shouldn’t cause any concern for you as you look to make the next move in your career. This is a good time to sharpen your skills, get additional training, tweak your resume and be on the lookout for the next big opportunity.
Welcome to The Big Time, Spherion's new career blog dedicated to helping you make it to the big time. You may ask, what do we mean by the "big time?" Well, it's something different for everyone. Looking back over my career, I see that my definition of 'making it to the big time' changed with every career opportunity. And that's why we've launched this blog. We'd like to help you succeed at whatever career goals you're trying to reach - whether you need to land your first job or transition into semi-retirement, if you're a consultant building an at-home business or a mid-level manager looking to make the leap into 'VP' land. We'll help you make it happen by giving you straightforward, real-world advice from Spherion experts that come from a variety of industries, professions and regions. They all have unique perspectives to share and have a pulse on today's labor market and know where the hot jobs are, how to get them and how to succeed in them. I'll also chime in from time to time and share my insight and experiences. Our experts have seen just about everything when it comes to the workplace, from how to deal with office romances to handling the toughest interview questions and salary discussions. So don't look at this as a place to post a resume or find a new job - it's not. Rather, this is an interactive forum for you to learn, share ideas and weigh in about topics you face every day on the job. We believe the best advice is often born from debate. We hope you disagree, challenge or help shape the discussions here. Like all great relationships, we look forward to growing together. See you soon in The Big Time. Sincerely, Roy Krause, President and CEO Spherion
