81% of Businesses Expect Growth in 2018
Source: Express Employment Professionals, Moving On Up
Site: http://blog.expresspros.com/movinonup/
Good news for job seekers! There’s reason to be optimistic about the economic outlook for the new year. In a recent poll conducted by RefreshLeadership.com, Express Employment Professionals’ blog for business leaders, most respondents said they predict growth in 2018.
Of those who participated in the poll, 23% say they will see “exponential” growth, 58% plan on “moderate” growth, and 16% said they would remain “steady, but unchanged.” Only 2% of businesses predict a decrease in business volume—a nearly 4% decrease over 2017’s predictions.
These results continue a positive trend that has been observed over the last three years of the annual poll.
“There’s a lot to be optimistic about in 2018,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express. “For the third year in a row, there is a drop in the number of people who expect business activity to decrease, and the number of companies that predict growth continues to increase. Although there are still challenges on the horizon, like the widening skills gap, overall indications point toward a strong year ahead.”
So, what are some trends to watch in 2018 that could have a major impact on the job search?
The skills gap is widening
Across most industries, there are jobs to be found. However, candidates with the skills to fill in-demand positions are becoming fewer and far between. Attracting and retaining top performers continues to be one of the highest priorities for businesses as more than 42% say it is “somewhat” or “very” difficult to recruit for and fill positions, according to Express’ first quarter 2018 Job Insights Survey.
In fact, results of the survey indicated that the top three reasons business leaders say jobs are going unfilled are lack of applicants with experience, a shortage of applicants in general, and applicants not having the necessary hard skills. You can pull ahead of the competition by using online or community college classes to develop new skills.
Millennials are staking their claim to leadership roles
According to the Hartford Millennial Leadership Survey, 80% of millennials identify themselves as business leaders, and 69% aspire to be business leaders within the next five years. And there are many factors that point toward this generation being successful in their endeavors.
One of the key strengths millennials bring to leadership roles is their tech savvy and ability to integrate new technology into the way their companies operate. They are also one of the most diverse generations in the workplace and actively seek out purpose-driven initiatives or ways to support important social and charitable causes with the work they do. Regardless of whether you are a millennial or not, this heavy millennial presence will necessitate learning to work with others from different generations.
Baby Boomers are redefining retirement
Research from Bloomberg indicates that the boomer generation are increasingly opting to delay retirement. About one-third of workers say they expect to work past age 70. And statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics project that by 2024 “36% of 65- to 69-year-olds will be active participants in the labor market.
From trying out new jobs to exploring entrepreneurship to mentoring younger generations of workers, the path to retirement is becoming less traditional for baby boomers. Businesses that actively embrace and help facilitate the changing retirement needs of older generations stand to benefit from the knowledge and experience they bring to the workforce.
Only time will tell what 2018 has in store for businesses and the economy, but there are many signs that show cause for optimism. Early preparation and forward-thinking strategies are the key to putting your company on a strong foundation for the new year.
