5 things to expect from the job market in 2017

1. 2017 will be in favor of the job seeker. As the economy gradually improves in the aftermath of the 2009 recession, the job market is shifting in a way that benefits employees. The unemployment rate is slowly dropping, and the pool of job seekers is shrinking, so employers are having a hard time finding the right candidates. This means that candidates who are good fits for open positions have more leverage than they’ve had in years, and they should use that to their advantage when negotiating a new position.
2. It pays to switch jobs in 2017. According to one tracking tool, the pay increase for individuals who switch jobs is the highest it’s been in eight years, so it might make sense to consider a job change this year (check out our open positions). If you do decide to take the plunge, make sure you brush up on your negotiating skills before you start interviewing to increase your chances of getting that big pay hike.
3. You should ask for a raise this year. Pay for employees who staying their current jobs is expected to rise only 3% this year, but if you’re a solid employee, you have a good chance of getting more than that. So, if you’re not ready to leave your current job but you want a more substantial pay boost, ask for it. Brag about your major accomplishments over the past year and remind your employer of all that you bring to the table.
4. Certain occupations can expect substantially more growth than others. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupations with the highest projected growing the coming years are personal care aides, registered nurses, home health aides, food service employees, and retail workers. If you’re looking to change careers and job security is what you’re after, look into these sought-after jobs first.
5. The gig economy is here to stay. Freelancing and contracting has been on the rising recent years. The benefits of making your own schedule and working as much or as little as you want has had tremendous appeal for many employees. While there is debate about whether the gig economy will plateau or continue to grow, one thing is for sure: freelancers and contractors aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Source: Forbes.com written by Ashley Stahl