2010 Predictions for the Job Market

What goes up must come down, and vice versa – that’s what the law of nature tells us, and we see it happening in our everyday life. Nothing remains stable, businesses have their high and low points, and people taste success and failure alternately. So if you’re down and out because you’ve lost your job or haven’t had a pay hike since the market collapse in 2008, don’t let depression take its toll on you. Things are looking up as far as the job market is concerned, and 2010 is one year that is going to include all the hiring that was significantly absent over the past two years. If you thought that the economy was going to stay down for a longer period of time, 2010 is the year that is going to change the way you think.  A few predictions for the year ahead relating to the job market and the general state of the economy:

• Companies are going to begin hiring again, not as vigorously as they used to before 2008, but not as slowly as they did in 2009 either.
• The second half of the year will see a spike in the number of job positions being created and filled.
• People will be hired more for their ability rather than their educational qualifications so you need to work on your interview skills and learn how to showcase all that you are in a matter of minutes.
• Employers will focus more on the value that each employee adds to the company – the emphasis will be more on quality than quantity.
• Jobs will continue to be available in industries like healthcare and education and many more will open up in newer fields like environmental science and eco-friendly ventures.
• If you’re in college right now, you need to start working on your job hunt at the earliest instead of changing plans and switching majors. In short, you need to have a plan and stick with it.
• Most organizations will take a cautious approach to hiring, preferring to focus on people that are referred to them rather than actively going out and seeking professionals and students fresh out of college.
• They are highly likely to hire people with a little experience so that they don’t have to spend money on training new employees, so if you’re a new graduate, you need to ensure that you have some experience through an internship or a summer job.
• Jobs will be available, but you may have to try harder to secure one and also have to settle for a lower salary than the going rate two years ago.

So while the future is not rosy, it certainly is not bleak either. To make your job hunt easier, choose a major that is in demand in the job market and plan your career accordingly.

By Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes on the topic of accelerated online degrees . Adrienne welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: adrienne.carlson1@gmail.com .