Quick Poll on the job market

[AtomicCEO]

Just curious. My company is scrambling to staff up for a couple big projects, but my company is atypical as a startup in a market that has not been hit by the recession as badly as some others.

[Big Country]

We will be hiring a lot of people in the next few months. Althogh, we have tens of thousande of applicants for the positions, and our HR software can;t keep up with all of them, so maybe 1 in 5 resumes that are submitted for an open position get reviewed to see if they even meet the criteria for the position. Something that the company will be investing in heavily soon to improve upon this.

[Caveman_Nick]

Just curious. My company is scrambling to staff up for a couple big projects, but my company is atypical as a startup in a market that has not been hit by the recession as badly as some others.

 

My company has always fared well in recession economy, and we are staffing up like Mo Fo's

[JoJoTheWebToedBoy]

In my department, I have 3 engineer slots I am trying to fill

[keggerz]

I voted Laying people off because our option isnt available....if someone leaves their position is probably 99% of the time not being filled and those responsibilities divided up among everyone that can pick up the slack

[WaterMan]

work harder, live happier is their motto.

[AtomicCEO]

I voted Laying people off because our option isnt available....if someone leaves their position is probably 99% of the time not being filled and those responsibilities divided up among everyone that can pick up the slack

 

So you and Darin are having to write all the IDP features now?

[Egret]

I live in Michigan, so I might be an outlier.

[Czarina]

My company is hiring like crazy, but it's in healthcare. Aging folks is a growth area.

[darin3]

My company is hiring like crazy, but it's in healthcare. Aging folks is a growth area.

I'm still job-hunting and the vast majority of open positions I see on a daily basis here in Austin are either in healthcare, technology or a combination of the two.

[ts]

I've added 4 new people in my department in the past ~6 months and still have 1 position to fill ... another dept. in my division has added 2 in the same time frame and also has one opening left. Before you ask - the company develops software, specializing in health care applications.

[whoopazz]

We're into biofuels and the DoD and DOE cash is pouring in. Hiring big time.

[Marauders11]

Graphic Design/Product Development company-

 

down from 42 employees in February to 18 now. 3 separate rounds of layoffs-the most recent just 2 weeks ago.

 

Our clients have been telling us that they simply aren't allowed to spend any money on new projects right now so it obviously effects our work and cash flow.

 

Worst experience for me personally in the almost 20 years I've been a working Joe. Paychecks are delayed, the uncertainty of if you are next, trying to keep the bills paid, food on the table AND have things at home seem normal for the kids. It's been rough.

[Perchoutofwater]

Signs of Recovery Don't Extend to Jobs according to WSJ.

[Seahawks21]

I work for a company that has been very successful in Seattle for 30+ years. I just got back from vacation to find that my manager was fired (worked for the company for 16 years). Also my buddy up in accounting was let go. All the managers of all the stores in the region were just asked to take a 20% paycut. I'm fearing a lot of companies are going to make more cuts once they get their yearly numbers in. I think I'm safe now. I don't think our company can afford to lose any more people, we are already down to bare bones.

[jetsfan]

With the retirement of the Space Shuttle and no replacement until 2014, we are laying off thousands every year.

[wirehairman]

We just hired a new engineer, are making an offer to another, and may need to add as many as 3 more in the next 6 months. However, we are the only engineering firm in the state that I know is actively hiring. I think it is mainly because our work has always been 90% or more municipal and we did not take a beating when the private development market all but disappeared.

 

And before some regular posters ask, less than 20% of our increased workload is directly related to stimulus dollars even though the reporting we are required to do skews those numbers.

[TimC]

After laying off 30% of the staff a year ago, we're not hiring and not firing. Outlook is guarded optimistic. Our main competitor didn't come out of it as well as we did. We jumped on our debt issues early and they waited until it was too late and were forced to default on some of their debt. They were probably twice (if not more) as large as we were and were gobbled up recently by a larger firm. It's unbelievable they didn't make it. I wouldn't have made that bet a year ago that we would and they wouldn't. I doubt we'll be hiring any new positions for at least another year. We'll fill out positions if people leave most likely.

Edited October 26, 2009 by TimC

[muck]

...wow...

 

7 of 55 respondants are not working currently

 

*********************

 

Right now, I am hopeful that we will add 1-2 people, but it may not be for 6-12 months (not the 3-6 months that is asked about in the poll).

[geeteebee]

Here are the companies that we own:

 

1. eyeglass lens manufacturer-laid off 20% of US workforce at beginning of year. removed 401k match. don't expect to replace people but may reinstitute match.

 

2. evaporative cooling manufacturer-reduced labor by 30%, mostly direct labor but some G&A as well. Will replace direct labor as warranted, no plans to increase management. May add sales people selectively. Reinstituted 401k match and made workers whole for the year.

 

3. service provider for home depot-cut staff throughout country, especially on west coast. Reduced what we pay to outside contractors because so many contractors have come to us offering same/better labor at better prices. No new plans to staff up.

 

4. entertainment center-No hiring on horizon. May build another one which would create ~50 jobs.

 

5. Auto parts company-Closing the purchase of this company on Thursday and will immediately cut direct labor pay by 5% and management by 7.5%. Also not hiring ~5% of workforce. Will be cutting healthcare benefits substantially. We hate do do all of this but if we don't buy the company, it will be shut down and 160 people will be out of work. I hope to reinstate pay if company's fortunes turn around.

[AtomicCEO]

Right now, I am hopeful that we will add 1-2 people, but it may not be for 6-12 months (not the 3-6 months that is asked about in the poll).

 

Yeah, I specifically wanted it to be something that was on the radar as opposed to hopeful.

[darin3]

...wow...

 

7 of 55 respondants are not working currently

I was one of those respondants, although I am in fact working a few part time jobs just to earn some money. Still moving through the long tunnel, there's a light at the end but boy is it far.

[Junkyard]

Laid off 2 weeks ago after being recruited in last year. Approx 600 layoffs (8%) as part of a re-organization, including elimination of my division (insurance/financial services). Pretty drastic change of course after a lot of hiring 12-18 months ago.

 

But just called back for an interview in the same company in a different area. Will check it out, but obviously concerned about how much commitment they have going forward.

[cdrudge]

Small web development company of currently 8 employees. One senior developer just left to go back to his old job so we have his position, plus an additional Sharepoint Developer and a business analyst position. Plus we really have more business then we can handle. Recession? Hasn't been felt in this company.

[gilthorp]

staffing fo sho