I've had three candidates this week ask me for my opinion on the "hiring environment", regionally. After answering each of those inquiries individually, I've just received a fourth and decided to respond here. The questions most frequently asked are: Are many (any) places hiring? What types of jobs are being hired for right now? I'll take them one at a time.
Whether or not "many" places are hiring is relative. Companies and agencies are hiring, but obviously on a very conservative, selective and thoughtful basis. Both agencies and corporations have opportunities. It's safe to say that employers are looking for absolutely top-notch candidates. Every company is running as "lean" as they can possibly afford to. Any new hire has to be able to add significant value, if not generate revenue, right away.
The hiring environment is improving. I've seen improvement in activity since the middle of the summer. Activity is continuing to increase. Industry wide, temporary and/or contract positions are seeing more action, which is a recognized precursor to hiring for permanent positions. If a company loses a valuable employee through attrition, that position might have to be replaced simply because staffing is so "lean" that there is nobody else who will have the time to be able to also do the work of the lost employee.
There are agencies and corporations who are taking this opportunity to aggressively hire new employees. They're looking to take advantage of top notch talent to grow for the future, wanting to be perfectly positioned when the economy starts really humming again. Many are replacing existing employees with new employees who they feel can better deal with the marketing communications evolution into the future. (If you're not enhancing your own knowledge and skill set, you're quickly becoming obsolete.) Companies are "top-grading" from the Board level to entry level. No company can afford to have someone who is not contributing and adding value. If they're (you're) not, they (you) could be gone.
In both corporations and agencies, new business development is a sought after skill set. People who have consistently demonstrated success at sales are in demand . . . and probably always will be. People who understand how to go beyond what's expected to add value, wear multiple hats, and contribute beyond their literal job description . . . top performers (at every level) . . . will always have opportunities.
It's not surprising that new media, online marketing, electronic communications . . . call it what you will, is changing rapidly. Almost every position I've recruited for over the past year, on both the client and agency side, had a new media component to it. Whether a VP of Marketing, or a Group Account Director, fluency in online marketing (as evidenced by participation) is becoming an essential component of every marketing functional position. It's a very good idea to have a professional presence online.
My suggestion is to always be ready for whatever the future may hold. You should have all appropriate materials (resume, portfolio, online profiles/presence) updated and ready to go. The economy is not necessarily out of the woods yet, and it's likely that unemployment is going to continue to increase. You need to be ready to start a job search should you find yourself laid off. You should be ready to respond to a new opportunity, professionally and promptly.
Start positioning yourself as a thought leader and top performer in whatever your function is. Be proactive!
Whether or not "many" places are hiring is relative. Companies and agencies are hiring, but obviously on a very conservative, selective and thoughtful basis. Both agencies and corporations have opportunities. It's safe to say that employers are looking for absolutely top-notch candidates. Every company is running as "lean" as they can possibly afford to. Any new hire has to be able to add significant value, if not generate revenue, right away.
The hiring environment is improving. I've seen improvement in activity since the middle of the summer. Activity is continuing to increase. Industry wide, temporary and/or contract positions are seeing more action, which is a recognized precursor to hiring for permanent positions. If a company loses a valuable employee through attrition, that position might have to be replaced simply because staffing is so "lean" that there is nobody else who will have the time to be able to also do the work of the lost employee.
There are agencies and corporations who are taking this opportunity to aggressively hire new employees. They're looking to take advantage of top notch talent to grow for the future, wanting to be perfectly positioned when the economy starts really humming again. Many are replacing existing employees with new employees who they feel can better deal with the marketing communications evolution into the future. (If you're not enhancing your own knowledge and skill set, you're quickly becoming obsolete.) Companies are "top-grading" from the Board level to entry level. No company can afford to have someone who is not contributing and adding value. If they're (you're) not, they (you) could be gone.
In both corporations and agencies, new business development is a sought after skill set. People who have consistently demonstrated success at sales are in demand . . . and probably always will be. People who understand how to go beyond what's expected to add value, wear multiple hats, and contribute beyond their literal job description . . . top performers (at every level) . . . will always have opportunities.
It's not surprising that new media, online marketing, electronic communications . . . call it what you will, is changing rapidly. Almost every position I've recruited for over the past year, on both the client and agency side, had a new media component to it. Whether a VP of Marketing, or a Group Account Director, fluency in online marketing (as evidenced by participation) is becoming an essential component of every marketing functional position. It's a very good idea to have a professional presence online.
My suggestion is to always be ready for whatever the future may hold. You should have all appropriate materials (resume, portfolio, online profiles/presence) updated and ready to go. The economy is not necessarily out of the woods yet, and it's likely that unemployment is going to continue to increase. You need to be ready to start a job search should you find yourself laid off. You should be ready to respond to a new opportunity, professionally and promptly.
Start positioning yourself as a thought leader and top performer in whatever your function is. Be proactive!
