2006 Employment Boom

Not going to happen.

Before any hiring boom there is usually a large increase in hours worked by current workers and in current wages. Employers try to fill the gaps with overtime until they really have to hire. I don't see any evidence of that happening as wages have been stagnant.

Consider the thousands of people pulled from civilian jobs and sent overseas that when they come home are supposed to get their jobs back. We might see an increase in unemployment if the troops are drawn down in Iraq.

The only hiring projections I can see are for construction in hurricane ravaged areas but that seems to be pulling in a lot of cheap labor which won't build a lot of new jobs to support them.

I'm going to see if I can locate the article I read today....

ok! I'm back. This is just one article I came across today on a career management site (italics are mine):


2006 Hiring Frenzy--are you ready?

Does this forecast give you hope--or will it not matter to you?

John A. Challenger says, "A return to a late 1990s-style hiring frenzy may be only a matter of time." Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports in Challenger Annual job forecast.

Employers are adding jobs at a strong pace and there is no indication that this will weaken in the coming months. More than 1.7 million jobs have been added in 2005.

The top job categories that employers will be clamoring to fill will include accountants, petroleum engineers, financial planners, physical therapists, computer support specialists and international sales and marketing managers.

Another survey found that 66 per cent of small and medium-sized companies - which employ the most Americans - plan to add employees in 2006.

"Those who enter the 2006 job market with math, science and other technology skills can write their own ticket," Challenger said. "The key to success is always keeping these skills up to date. Those who graduated 10 years ago with degrees in computer engineering but have not kept up with the rapid changes taking place in the field should not be surprised by the lack of job offers."

"No amount of protectionist measures will keep the global economy from burgeoning," Challenger said. "The Internet has made sure of that. Those who embrace the change and adapt will reap the rewards of higher profits and increased job creation. Those who yield to pressure from isolationists will be left behind."

stray cat

We have a protocol here that we've all agreed is pretty helpful to readers. In the future, could you please add the link for pieces you paste.