As any seasoned job seeker knows, the odds of securing some sort of employment seem to never stand still – even for a second. With the employment market continuously bouncing every which way, it can be challenging for just about anyone to determine the likelihood of landing a position, regardless of the incredible credentials formatted all fancy on their modern resumes. However, they can get ahead of the game by researching the latest employment trends and anticipating which opportunities could prove to be their best bet.
If you have personally been tuning into the changing employment situation, you may be aware of the most recent tactics that companies are implementing to pin down the manpower they need. In case you are not savvy to the latest developments, you should listen up.
Businesses get cold feet about full-time employees
Some things never change: Once again, businesses have been looking for new ways to build up their teams with qualified employees while still managing to cut costs. Even if companies' budgets are not tighter this year, many firms are still hesitant to make any long-term commitments to prospective staff members. Because of this, a growing number of employers could be shying away from full-time hiring, instead recruiting representatives based on limited projects coming up on their docket.
According to Business Insider, economic uncertainties, such as the fate of that terrifying debt ceiling, are believed to be the bad guys to blame in this situation. Faced with the dark unknown, some companies are embracing "better safe than sorry" policies. As a result, one-quarter of businesses plan to take on full-time personnel for indefinite stints. This indicates a 26 percent drop since last year, possibly causing an array of job seekers to wake up gasping in a cold sweat on a binightly basis.
Histrionics aside, these figures could actually be concerning to a fair number of people looking for work. If you are one such person, you can rest assured that there are plenty of opportunities for you to work – just in a different way.
Hello, self-employment
Have you ever dreamed of being your own boss? At last, here is your chance now that more and more employers are filling their open positions with independent contractors.
Despite any instability that this rollercoaster economy has instigated, companies still need to get work done – and require ample employee power to do so, at that. Because of this, businesses have numerous initiatives on their to-do lists and still hope to find talented professionals who can swoop in, complete whatever project firms have on their plates and then get out. This means that they will depend on flexible recruiting practices. They appear to be contracting the precise number of short-term self-employed representatives needed at any given moment so their firms can meet their business demand without wasting resources by having excess employees on payroll.
While you could be unsure of how this would pan out for your own employment, almost any creative job agency may give you an understanding pat on the back and inform you that this just seems to be the recruiting way of the future. If you accept this trajectory and embrace it, you might be able to earn a spot ahead of the curve, bulking up your contractor portfolio and making your applications more appealing to prospective employers looking for personnel to carry out their projects.
Not to mention, if you start working as a contractor, you could expand your skill set, getting your feet wet in a variety of project types. By taking on different kinds of work within your field in short spurts, you can fend off boredom and become a well-rounded professional. After doing your fair share of projects, you will be set up for success in future job searches, whether they be for full-time, permanent positions or for more contract opportunities.
