2011 Job Forecast - Careerbuilder.com

A new year brings with it new hope for change and the promise of a fresh start... and if CareerBuilder's 2011 Job Forecast is any indication, there will plenty of both in the coming months.

"2011 will usher in a healthier employment picture as business leaders grow more confident... The year will be characterized by steady, moderate gains across various industries."

- Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder

CareerBuilder recently surveyed over 2,500 hiring managers and over 5,000 workers for its annual forecast. Among the major findings for what's in store for 2011:

More employers plan to grow full- and part-time staff.

Employers will increase their reliance on contract/temporary help.

Fewer employers plan to downsize than last year and the year before.

Employers' compensation offers will become more competitive.

Sales is the most popular functional area employers said they will be recruiting for in 2011 as they focus on expanding their customer base and market penetration. Twenty-seven (27%) percent plan to add sales positions in the New Year, with Information Technology (IT) a close second at 26%.  The top ten functional areas for recruitment include:

1. Sales – 27 percent

2. Information Technology – 26 percent

3. Customer Service – 25 percent

4. Engineering – 21 percent

5. Technology – 19 percent

6. Administrative – 17 percent

7. Business Development – 17 percent

8. Marketing – 17 percent

9. Research/Development – 15 percent

10. Accounting/Finance – 14 percent
 
COMPENSATION
Forty-one (41%) percent of employers are concerned that their best talent will leave their organizations once the economy improves, as heftier workloads and longer hours take their toll on worker morale. Sixty-one (61%) percent said they will increase compensation for their existing staff in 2011, up from 57 percent in 2010. While most employers estimate the average raise will be 3 percent or less, one-in-ten (10 percent) expect the average increase will be 5 percent or more.

Thirty-one percent will provide higher initial job offers to job candidates, up from 29 percent last year. While most increases will likely fall within the same 1 to 3 percent range, 8 percent of employers expect to up initial job offers by 5 percent or more.