More Jobs, More Money, More Relos: Hiring Outlook Remains Positive

Talent shortages drive nearly half of hiring managers and recruiters to seek professionals outside their local markets

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May 31, 2011, 09:00 ET

NEW YORK, May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- America's hiring managers and recruiters are forecasting healthy job growth for the remainder of this year, according to a new survey by Dice Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DHX), a leading provider of specialized career websites for professional communities. Slightly more than half (51%) of employers and recruiters anticipate hiring more professionals in the second half of 2011 than in the previous six months. These survey results suggest the U.S. labor market remains on a favorable trajectory, particularly when the stronger levels of hiring experienced in the first half of the year are taken into account. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private sector employers have added more than 200,000 jobs per month this year.

Companies expecting a step-up in hiring in the next six months represented a broad spectrum of industries, including energy, technology, telecom, media, internet, distribution, financial services, consulting and retail.

"The recovery in jobs appears to be broadening to include more industries, more professions and certainly more local markets," said Scot Melland, Chairman, President and CEO of Dice Holdings, Inc. "We see this every day in our businesses as more and more companies return to recruiting and speed-to-hire becomes increasingly important."

The disparity between available jobs and skilled talent has sparked companies to adapt to a more competitive market. Nearly half of the hiring manager and recruiters (49%) said they have started to recruit talent from geographies outside their local market due to talent shortages. This emerging phenomenon was more pronounced for companies headquartered in the East, Midwest and South, as compared to those in the Northeast and West.

At the same time, paychecks are starting to be positively impacted, as 41 percent of hiring managers and recruiters indicated salaries for new hires are rising, compared to just 29 percent who felt that way six months ago.

For those planning on making more hires in the second half of 2011, 48 percent project they will add up to 10 percent more employees compared with the first half of 2011, while 29 percent plan to increase hiring by 11 to 20 percent.

Half of employers and recruiters noted they are no longer seeing increases in the number of candidates applying for positions. June 2008 was the last time a similar number of employers indicated a change in applicant behavior.

About the survey

From May 18 to May 24, 2011, Dice Holdings surveyed U.S. companies, government entities and recruiting firms from every region of the country who hire or recruit a variety of professionals. More than 1,000 responded to the email survey with 75 percent identified as companies that recruit for their own needs. Of that group, 43 percent had more than 500 employees.

Survey Results

Table 1: Do you anticipate you or your clients hiring more professionals in the second half of 2011 than the first half of 2011?

Yes, substantially	12%
Yes, slightly	39%
No	49%

Table 2: Has your company, or if you are a recruiter, your client companies started hiring talent from geographies outside your home market due to shortages?

Yes	49%
No	46%
Not Applicable, we are not hiring	5%

Table 3: What trend do you see in salaries for new hires?
	May 2011	November 2010
They are significantly higher than last year	5%	2%
They are slightly higher than last year	36%	27%
They are the same as last year	48%	55%
They are slightly less than last year	9%	13%
They are significantly less than last year	2%	3%

Table 4: How many more professionals do you intend to hire in the second half of 2011 than the first half of 2010?
	May 2011	November 2010
1-10% more	48%	50%
11-20% more	29%	31%
21-30% more	13%	12%
31-40% more	5%	3%
41-50% more	2%	1%
More than 50%	3%	3%

Table 5: Are you seeing an increase in the number of candidates applying for positions as compared to six months ago?
	May 2011	November 2010
Yes, significantly	18%	28%
Yes, but slightly	32%	35%
No	50%	37%