Hiring Trends for 2012

The Staffing View
On business, the workplace and employee relations
December, 2011


Micro Tech's Featured Job Openings for December
Front End Web Developer, Cambridge, MA
Salary: $40 per hour
Our client seeks a Front End Web Developer to join their team on a long-term contract This position is heavy on CSS, jQuery and HTML and there is a coding test required

Hardware Test Engineer, Marlborough, MA
Salary- Based on Experience
Our client seeks a Hardware Test Engineer for an indefinite time-frame contract opportunity Responsibilities include writing test and project plans, performing design verification and handling project management Candidates should have experience with high voltage storage A bachelor's degree in engineering is required

Mechanical Assembler, Nashua, NH
Salary: $14 to $16 per hour
Candidates should have the ability to use hand and pneumatic tools, read prints and schematics, work on prototype builds, perform in-process inspection on subassemblies

2nd Shift Supervisor, Fuquay Varina, NC
Salary: $55,000 per year
As a production supervisor, ideal candidates will have a proven ability to manage inventory, hire, train and manage up to 25 employees Also be experienced with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma (Just-In-Time inventory a plus) Experience with CNC operations and programming also a plus


Hiring plans for 2012
It's the end of one year and the start of a new Are your hiring plans set for 2012? A slow growth economy is enough to cause many managers to put a freeze on hiring But for a number of reasons that's not always the best course Forward-thinking businesses recognize short-term economic conditions Still, they continue to adjust their staffs in the near future to help them be a stronger company in the long run Here are a few reasons why adding to your staff can make sense

Sluggish economies can be opportunities Are there areas within your business in which you can gain market share in the coming year? If so, then it may make sense to bolster the appropriate departments within your company with new qualified people or to shift personnel over from stagnant areas

All-stars become free agents The slow-growth economy may have you in a no-hiring mode But that would mean you aren't interested in adding a high performer to that growing segment of your business and of course that's not true Layoffs have occurred by the thousands, swelling the available labor pool By continuing to recruit top talent you can maximize perceived market opportunities Eventually the expansion will pick up steam and you'll have the players in place to grow your business

Get the best bang for your buck Review your staffing situation and prioritize your positions by their impact Are the most critical slots filled? Just as assuring that every process in a company is running at maximum efficiency, so too is it important to be certain that employment positions that will have the greatest revenue or operations impact are staffed with high performers

Protect your best You might not think that some employees would be looking to leave your company when job growth has been slow But companies that have needs and the resources to fill those needs can still offer incentive packages that will be attractive to recruits Uncertainty prevails in the current economy If one company can provide more security than another, a smart employee will go for it Make sure that's not your all-star



Networking Tips for Those Who Hate Networking
Any career counselor will urge someone looking for a job to network, network, network The stories about people who found work through their vast association of contacts, before the position was advertised or posted on a job board are endless Statistics are often quoted stating the percentage of jobs that are obtained by knowing someone in a company or related to the hiring manager rather than through more public channels

All of that is useful and often true But the effectiveness of your networking can be limited by the size of your network Not everyone has remained in touch with old college classmates or colleagues from early in their career And their close friends might be in fields so unrelated they simply can't offer much help If you recognize that your job search is your responsibility, then you know you'll give yourself a better chance at new career opportunities by proactively trying to meet new people

That's easier for some than others The networking world is divided into extroverts and introverts - those who are perfectly comfortable introducing themselves to strangers at a social or networking event and those who dread the challenge The thought of making small talk or telling someone they've just met about themselves is what's often intimidating for networking introverts The remedy is to be a good listener

During the holiday season there are often opportunities to meet new people Office parties, professional association gatherings, athletic clubs, religious affiliations all celebrate the season Take the initiative to attend, then take the pressure off yourself by listening more and speaking less Expanding your network means creating relationships When you attend an event, whether it's a formal networking occasion or more social, ask questions and then listen closely for things you have in common with whomever you're speaking As you learn about someone else's background, you can more naturally reveal your own skills and work experience

Of course you can't have a conversation until you introduce yourself to someone Imagine you're attending a reception at an industry trade show You don't know a soul there Look around the room When you see someone else standing alone go to them There are other people equally reluctant as you to meet new people - but they too know it's important By introducing yourself you'll be doing them a favor and gaining yourself a new contact

Finally, once you begin speaking with someone make sure you are sending the right message with your body language It's human nature to be on guard when speaking with a stranger Fight the impulse and be open Smile, make good eye contact and don't use defensive body language such as crossing your arms on your chest And be interested Even if the other person is uncomfortable as he or she speaks, you never know what might emerge

Enjoying the Office Party
The holiday office party can be an occasion that everyone looks forward to, provided they remember that it still a business event Sure you can relax a bit, but you're still among colleagues and superiors and your behavior is being observed If your office is breaking out the punch bowl this year, it makes sense to give some forethought to whom you'll be talking to and what you might say

Mark your calendar First off, make sure you attend If the managers of your company take the time and expense to host a party, they expect you'll make an appearance Do what you can if your schedule is jammed and show some company spirit

Boss talk Perhaps you don't have an opportunity to talk with your boss about anything other than reports or projects You can avoid him or her at the party or give some thought in advance about things you might say Veer away from business and don't' get too heavy Engage in a light conversation where you show a sense of humor, ask inquisitive questions and reveal a different side of yourself You may end up getting more face time with senior management or important clients when you go back to work

Connect with someone new There is probably a person or two in your office whom you'd likie to know better The party is the time Open with a compliment or some thanks for some help they may have provided Then move on to other topics like family or other interests Jump in when you see a friend speaking with someone you don't know well

Don't monopolize One-on-one conversations are fine at an office party, but know when to move on If you find the conversation getting flat or if you've spent enough meaningful time with just one person, bring in a third party or adroitly move on "Well, I don't want to dominate all your time tonight and I'm sure there are lots of other people who would like to speak with you It's been a pleasure talking" Then smile and circulate

Leave graciously Find whoever was responsible for putting the party together and let them know you appreciate the effort They created a new environment for you and your colleagues and provided you with a chance to get to know people a bit better Say thanks!