2011 Employment Outlook
 Business conditions in the United States are gradually improving according to the results of a survey by the National Association for Business Economics which found a rise in demand for goods and services that will in turn mean a need for more employees to fulfill those orders. The survey results indicated an improved outlook in hiring, particularly in insurance, finance, real estate, as well as with healthcare and recreation- and entertainment-related firms. In addition, according to the latest National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) hiring index, new college graduates will find an improved job market.
While things are certainly improving, the country is still a long way from full employment. Unemployment is hovering around 10 percent, and full recovery will be slow to come. In addition, companies within the communications, transportation and utilities industries continued to lag behind in terms of jobs, and the private sector continues to be slow at creating new jobs. So, although there are more jobs available, there probably won’t be enough positions to employ all of the U.S.’s unemployed, especially considering the massive number of job seekers who gave up trying to find a job who may re-enter the job market as the economy continues to improve.
Skills in Demand
According to NACE’s 2011 Job Outlook Survey, in addition to technical skills, employers are looking for a number of what are referred to as "soft skills." Candidates who possess these along with the right education and work experience are much more likely to land the job offer than candidates who don’t have those skills. Of particular importance to employers are:
- Verbal Communication Skills
- Work Ethic
- Teamwork Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Initiative
While the survey focuses on skills for new graduates, it is equally important for seasoned professionals to possess and hone these same skills in today’s challenging job market.
U.S. News & World Report’s "Best 50 Careers for 2011"
In early December 2010, prognosticators at U.S. News & World Report published their view of the top 50 career choices for 2011. As in years past, the aging baby boomer generation continues to drive demand for professionals to work in a wide variety of healthcare jobs. Careers in technology are also a good bet, as each year brings a wide array of technological advancements that show no sign of abating. The increased globalization of industry and society in general also continues to spur demand for interpreters and translators. And, as far as the service sector goes, HVAC and refrigeration technicians are also projected to be in demand. All of these predictions are based upon projections from the U.S. Department of Labor.
2011 Salary Projections
According to salary experts, companies in general plan to increase their overall budgets for salary by 2.8 percent this year. Nonetheless, employees shouldn’t plan on getting a 2.8 percent raise. Bonuses and yearly salary increases are no longer an entitlement. Employees who receive these monetary awards need to be top performers within their organization.
Further Reading:
Skills Employers Seek
NACE Index Shows Improvement in Job Market
50 Best Careers in 2011
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