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Profiles International Identifies Hiring in Select Sectors

Posted on: Friday, 3 April 2009, 07:46 CDT

Tough Economy Helping Certain Job Sectors

WACO, Texas, April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Profiles International, a global leader in employment evaluation and human resource management assessment tools, has identified specific job sectors and businesses that are seeing growth and hiring even during the current challenging economic climate. The health care industry remains the strongest U.S. job sector while many financial service, insurance and relocation businesses are experiencing growth partly as a result of current economic conditions.

"Certain hiring sectors, such as health care, financial services and insurance are actually seeing some areas of growth as a result of the unsettled economy," said Jim Sirbasku, co-founder and CEO of Profiles International. "For example, people downsizing their homes, coupled with rising foreclosure rates, is creating demand for storage and other relocation services."

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate rose from 8.1 percent to 8.5 percent in March. Job loss was distributed across most major industries.

Job Sectors Actually Hiring

While the overall employment picture continues to challenge the U.S. economy, Profiles International is reporting some growth in the following industries and businesses:

• Health Care: Health care remains the strongest labor sector with demand for physicians, nurses and all health related employees. Demand for health care service has yet to decline.
• Financial Services: Concern regarding the health of larger financial institutions continues to drive customer demand for the services of smaller banks and credit unions.
• Insurance: Layoffs have forced people into COBRA and / or out of company-sponsored insurance programs and into private insurance, which has increased the demand for workers in this sector.
• Storage Facilities and other Relocation Services: Business is growing as families are forced to downsize or move in with relatives.

Workplace Restructuring Continues

Profiles International continues to observe employment shifts as fewer companies are making mass layoffs of hundreds or thousands of workers. Many recent layoffs have been smaller in number and more strategic in nature, focusing on the least productive employees. Companies are now focusing on how to better utilize their employees and redesign job descriptions and responsibilities for maximum productivity.

However, a recent Profiles International survey of nationwide business leaders finds that 76 percent are uncertain about how each job in the organization supports the company's key objectives. If employees are still performing their jobs in a similar manner after restructuring, these employees could very well be causing significant erosion in productivity.

Companies Doing More with Less

Profiles International reports that businesses are now looking inward and focusing on staff coaching, productivity and leadership training. However, there is evidence that U.S. businesses can make even more progress in their training practices and the accomplishments of existing employees. A recent Profiles International survey of nationwide business leaders finds that 72 percent are uncertain that their organizations consider internal candidates before opening opportunities to external candidates.

About Profiles International Inc.

Profiles International is a global leader in selecting and developing high-performance workforces through innovative human resource management solutions. They offer a comprehensive suite of employment assessments that help companies gain a competitive advantage by selecting, hiring, retaining and developing great talent. Continually validating and updating its assessment products, Profiles serves many of the largest companies in 120 countries around the globe. For more information, visit www.profilesinternational.com

SOURCE Profiles International

Source: PR Newswire

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