The new year is rapidly approaching and for many, the new year signifies a new beginning. The job market hasn’t been the kindest in recent years, and numerous individuals have been left dealing with unemployment lines or low-wage positions in spite of having advanced skills and education.

However, if you are in the market for a new job, it’s wise to be aware of the top employment trends of the upcoming year. Knowing these will not only give you a heads up on the competition, but the knowledge will help you better navigate the highly selective job market.

 

The top 5 employment trends for 2012 include:

• Demand for Specialized Labor Increases: While specialized positions such as machinists and specific technicians aren’t always glamorous and have seen many employment opportunities go overseas, the fact of the matter is that the U.S. will see a spike in demand for these types of specially trained individuals. The work force that is capable of fulfilling these rolls are retiring in higher number than ever before leaving numerous vacant positions. So if you have ever had an interest in a specialized labor field, now may be the time to start looking.
• The College Degree is a Must: It doesn’t matter if you have a traditional or online degree, you simply need to have one. While the cost of a college education has left many wondering if it is worth it, nearly all employers are requiring that job applicants have a college degree to even be considered for employment. So if you are looking for a new career, you need to make sure you have the education to back you up.
• Going Digital: Connectivity is, in fact, becoming a governing force in nearly every profession. Never before have we been so community oriented through the internet. Restaurants have to have fan pages and Four Square accounts in order to entice customers, every business has to have a website to even get a nod in their direction, and even hospitals need to be visible on Google Locations and use cloud computing if they wish to remain open.
  • In addition to having a basic skill set and an education, job applicants need to understand social media, basic website functionality, data and word processing, and need to be able to prove that they are capable of using them whether they are on their own computer or on their smartphone. In fact, having an IT minor should be a necessity with nearly every college major.
• Healthcare is Hot: The aging baby boomer population has essentially guaranteed the need for healthcare professionals. Out of the 20 fastest-growing professions, 13 belong to the healthcare industry according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and medical assistants, physician assistants, and home health aides are in the top 5. Highly specialized healthcare professionals will also be in high demand which is great for those graduating from medical school with high student loan bills.
• Big Picture Thinkers: Having education and know how isn’t enough to succeed in a career these days. You must have the ability to be innovative and a big picture thinker as well. Many employers are no longer looking for just the typical 9 to 5 worker who does their job and only their job. They want employees who can see outside their position, and are able to spot trends and systems which may make the company more efficient and profitable overall.
  • However, big picture thinking isn’t just in relation to the office work space. Big picture thinkers also include those in the engineering, biopharmaceutical, and nanotechnology fields that are creating new robots, satellites, medications, and materials that will change the ways in which we live and prosper.

The job market will continue to remain highly competitive well into 2012, but jobs will begin to become more available. The unemployment figures are already improving and show signs of greater strength. While jobs will become more available in larger industries, the volatile global economy will have an impact on small business and start-ups, so job applicants should be wary when applying. However if you arm yourself with knowledge of what employers are looking for, you can make yourself stand out.

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