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Hiring Pace Consistent in Q2

CareerBuilder.com, an online job site, and USA TODAY recently released the results of their latest survey, "Q2 2008 Job Forecast," conducted by Harris Interactive, which tracks projected hiring trends for the upcoming quarter. According to the report, the hiring pace in Q2 2008 is expected to remain the same. "The job loss reported in the first quarter signified a gradual deceleration in recruitment in the U.S. as the nation's economy downshifted," says CEO, Matt Ferguson. "In the next three months, employers anticipate marginal change in their hiring pace. While some industries are experiencing a contraction in employment levels, areas such as information technology, healthcare, professional and business services and sales continue to add full-time jobs." Additional findings also suggest that 31% of employers actually increased the number of full-time, permanent employees from January through March, while 57% report no change, and 11% report a reduction in headcount. Moreover, 29% of employers state plans to grow their number of full-time, permanent employees from April through June, while 59% anticipate no change, and 6% expect to decrease headcount. When it comes to compensation in the second quarter, the survey suggests that the shortage of skilled labor has motivated more competitive compensation packages. In fact, 70% of employers anticipate providing an increase in salaries for full-time, permanent employees, 41% estimate the average raise to range between 1% and 3%, 27% expect an average raise of 4% to 10%, while 2% expect raises to be 11% or more. Of the respondents commenting on possible changes in compensation levels, 24% of employers anticipate no change, 2% expect a decrease, and 5% remain unsure.