Job Seeker Trends in 2010 and Beyond

Job Seekers found a challenging market in 2010 marked by a number of trends that we anticipate will continue in 2011.

  • Competitive nature of the marketplace: 200-400 applicants for many positions; long interview cycles; jobs put on hold; and employers seeking very specialized skill sets.
  • Rise in number of interviews – candidates reporting 8 or more interviews; all time high last year was 14.
  • Significant growth in contracting for services, project work, and interim assignments versus full time positions with benefits.
  • Multiple members of a household unemployed.
  • Older workers lacking computer skills and degrees find themselves less competitive.
  • Growth in portfolio careers – creating an array of smaller jobs, businesses, and projects to equal the sum of a whole position.
  • Candidates struggling to maintain healthcare coverage during longer searches.