Jobs seem to be picking up

sammyg2 · 12-01-2010, 07:26 AM

Up until a couple years ago it was normal to get calls from head-hunters and other company representatives looking to steal away employees, I used to get a couple every month just to let me know there was an "opportunity" for someone with my qualifications, and asking if I knew anyone who might be interested.
They never came right out and said "hey, we would like you to come to an interview" but it was obvious. It's a very incestuous industry I work in.

Then the calls all seemed to stop and it became very rare to get one.

Well I've noticed the phone calls have started back up again after the election and are gaining in frequency.
I talked to another guy in a similar situation and he's noticed the same thing.

Not much of a scientific indicator, but it sure seems like a positive sign as far as unemployment goes.

Zeke · 12-01-2010, 07:43 AM

I thought the calls would be the other way around. If everyone is working, they have to steal someone. With all the unemployed, it would seem to be a buyer's market rather than have to pay 2 premiums. one for a bigger salary to entice the transfer of the new hire and the commission.

cantdrv55 · 12-01-2010, 07:46 AM

I've been receiving calls from headhunters all along. Plus my employer has four pages of positions that remain unfilled on the website. Most are in Orange County.

sammyg2 · 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

I thought the calls would be the other way around. If everyone is working, they have to steal someone. With all the unemployed, it would seem to be a buyer's market rather than have to pay 2 premiums. one for a bigger salary to entice the transfer of the new hire and the commission.

Good point but usually they are looking for someone with a particular skill set or experience level and the head hunters only know one way to find people like that, by stealing the ones who are already performing that type of job.

you'd think that if unemployment was high they could just advertise and sift through the gazillions of applicants but that's prolly too much work for them.

What I take out of it is that for a long time businesses were relictant to hire anyone, they just got by without.
Now that seems like that might be changing, some companies are finally starting to fill vacancies. I see the glass half full right now.

That and the fact that my company's stock is up about 20% over the last 10 months and resetting it's 52 week high when I can't see any logical reason for it makes me think things are finally turning around.

DanielDudley · 12-01-2010, 09:11 AM

Somewhat of a bubble, if no new jobs are produced. It is somewhat unclear as to what would justify stock prices, as many corporations are just giving the money away as dividends and not using the capital as a tool for actual industry.

But I do believe there is something of a recovery going on, unless certain players in the market cash in all their shares as profit, and start a new cycle.

strupgolf · 12-01-2010, 12:53 PM

According to gov't stats, industy planned lay-offs or firings are up for January 50% over last January. Companies are still not using their stash of funds to fuel the flames of job creation.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

I think we'll get a decent read on this by Feb.

we know economic activity is picking up

HardDrive · 12-01-2010, 01:37 PM

There aren't many jobs for unskilled workers. Construction is going to be a drag on the jobs picture for some time. All the skilled carpenters I know are working, but they have let their helpers go.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

True - moreover, many areas have a need for workers with certain training, but cannot find them - that's been going on for months.

sometimes they can find people who are far away, BUT those people cannot move b/c of the loss they'd take when they'd have to sell their house!
- good job opportunities for the regional economists tho...

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

Nah. The head hunter calls are just an indicator of Sammy's awesomeness. Nothing to do with the economy at all

.

A930Rocket · 12-01-2010, 05:30 PM

Sammy's not in construction, cuz that's one dead horse that won't be coming back any time soon.

That said, there are some commercial construction jobs available if you have an engineering or architectural degree and 5-10 years of experience.

My degree is in management...

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I'm getting quite a few calls from recruiters too....

BRPORSCHE · 12-01-2010, 05:32 PM

Sammy I have to agree with ya on this one. We have been slowly been building back up to full steam. Have already had two guys stolen to go work at different companies. Money seems to be flowing around more freely. And bonuses/raises were even considered in the past month. I am feeling good about the economy right now.

Sammy, we aren't in exactly the same field, I find that crude for you.

bgyglfr · 12-01-2010, 05:34 PM

I work in the electrical industry. In central Illinois there seems to be more work in the pipeline than there was a few months ago. We will have to see if it keeps up.

legion · 12-01-2010, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgyglfr

I work in the electrical industry. In central Illinois there seems to be more work in the pipeline than there was a few months ago. We will have to see if it keeps up.

I hope things pick up locally.

cantdrv55 · 12-01-2010, 08:02 PM

If you're in biotech, live in SoCal and are looking for employment, drop me a line and I'll give you my employer's website. We have openings in non-science fields as well.

EdT82SC · 12-01-2010, 08:33 PM

My company has been hiring all through the recession. We have about 25 positions open for computer programmers located in Irvine, CA. So programmers out there, if you need a job, drop me a line.

LUFTMAN · 12-02-2010, 02:13 PM

some one tell beygon so he can stop crying on this site and stop sucking on the goverment teet that he hates so much.

Zeke · 12-02-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUFTMAN

some one tell beygon so he can stop crying on this site and stop sucking on the goverment teet that he hates so much.

He's a land surveyor for chrissakes. You think that's the new upcoming business?

Plus, he's got gray hair like me. We are not needed anymore. Out to pasture.

Pay up GenX and GenY because you put us on the dole. Your HR people did for sure.

gtc · gtc's Garage

We put you on the dole? How did we manage to do that?
I'm a little pissed that so many old people neglected to save for retirement. In my company there are a lot of people working well past retirement age, and there is very little transfer of knowledge. I think we're going to have some real problems in the coming years when the geezers start to die off or retire.
But hopefully I'll be long gone by then.