Six Employment Trends for Q2 2010CareerBuilder and USA TODAY's latest nationwide survey of employers found six employment trends for Q2 2010. For example, hiring contract workers is a trend, as employers seem to be hesitant to accelerate hiring of permanent staff, 25 percent of employers anticipate hiring contract workers or freelancers in the second quarter to help fill productivity gaps. Thirteen percent said they are likely to hire these workers on a permanent basis.
Here they are:
1. Offering Internships - Employers are also upping their number of interns to cost-effectively add resources in the interim. Nearly one-quarter (24 percent) of employers said that they will be hiring interns at their location in the second quarter.
2. Hiring for Social Media - The pervasiveness of social media is reflected in companies' plans to add jobs and responsibilities related to Web 2.0. Nearly one-in-ten employers (9 percent) plan to hire a new employee in the second quarter to focus on social media. An additional 13 percent plan to add social media management to a current employee's responsibilities.
3. Adding Bilingual Staff - Employers are diversifying their workforce to appeal to broader consumer segments. One-third (33 percent) said they plan to hire bilingual candidates in the second quarter of 2010. Half (50 percent) said that if they had two equally qualified candidates, they would be more inclined to hire the bilingual candidate.
4. Replacing Lower-Performing Employees - Companies are re-evaluating their current staffs to prepare for the upturn ahead. Twenty-eight percent of companies said they plan to replace lower-performing employees with higher-performers in the second quarter.
5. Holding on to Talent - Thirty-two percent of employers are concerned that some of their top employees may leave their organizations in the next few months as market conditions improve. To help retain workers, 14 percent are offering more flexible work arrangements, 14 percent are investing more in training, 10 percent are promising future raises or promotions and 9 percent are offering more performance-based incentives such as trips and bonuses. Another 5 percent are providing a higher title without the salary.
Read press release: Job Market Showing Gradual Improvement, According to Quarterly Job Forecast From CareerBuilder and USA TODAY
