1

WORKFORCE TRENDS

Micro-teams Focused On Solutions

Skilled Trades on the Rise

Side Gigs

Re-Training and Telecommuting/Remote Work

Optimism and Caution

2

WORKFORCE TRENDS

In 2017, we’ll start to see an end of the emphasis of “fit within company culture.”

Instead, employers will stress the ability to work within mission-focused micro-

teams.

These small teams, with an established short-term goal, will be built for the sole

purpose of solving a specific problem or meeting an immediate challenge. So

rather than concentrating on individual task-based strengths, hiring will focus

exclusively on subject matter expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for

the mission. Emotional intelligence and the ability to focus on solutions, rather

than worshiping the problem, will be in high demand.

Mark Babbitt CEO & Founder, YouTern

Twitter: @MarkSBabbitt

Micro-teams Focused On Solutions

WORKFORCE TRENDS

I see an uptick in skilled trades jobs. Building is booming in many parts of the

country and new infrastructure investments may be coming from federal and

state governments. These jobs offer great opportunities for those without a

college degree, workers not interested in behind-the-desk jobs, and people of all

backgrounds looking for steady work that pays well.

There has been so much emphasis on college that traditional vocational

programs have been diminished, so the need has been building for decades.

Builders and small manufacturers say they can’t get good help. Some

employers are willing to train, and union and trades apprentice programs offer

other doorways to these opportunities.

Louise Kursmark

President, Best Impression Career Services, Inc.

LinkedIn: Louise Kursmark

Skilled Trades on the Rise

WORKFORCE TRENDS

As wages continue to stay flat, more people are relying on side gigs to

earn more income. The gig economy is continuing to grow and I see this

continuing into 2017 and beyond. Marketing yourself as a solution to a

specific problem is the fastest way to grow your income.

If you don’t feel like you have the skills to earn money on the side of

your job, then it has also become easier than ever to take courses and

read books in order to learn skills that can immediately earn you extra

income.

Olivia Gamber Partner, Career Attraction

Twitter: @TheOliviaGamber

Side Gigs

WORKFORCE TRENDS

Most years, nothing happens that dramatically impacts job search, trends continue and

others begin. This year might be different because a few major countries have/will have

new leaders (UK, USA, France, etc.) and new leaders mean promises to fill. In the US in

particular, Trump has made some very big promises with regards to jobs and the economy

and if he moves quickly on some of them, it’s possible that many jobs will be created (or

vice-versa!). While it’s more realistic to think that the impact will be felt a little further down

the road, I can imagine more people than usual requiring retraining.

As for continuing trends, more people will continue the shift to telecommuting/remote work

and freelancing, both part-time and full-time, which means the importance of personal

branding and reputation management will continue to grow (even if both ideas were more

hyped a few years ago).

Jacob Share Job Search Expert, JobMob

Twitter: @jacobshare

Re-Training and Telecommuting/Remote Work

WORKFORCE TRENDS

Hiring for baby boomers will continue to improve as the continued tight labor

market will force employers to look to older workers to fill their needs.

The dreaded applicant tracking systems (ATS) will continue to vex job seekers.

The assimilation of LinkedIn into Microsoft will mean an acceleration of new

features along with higher fees.

Social, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud (SMAC) will continue to disrupt a variety of

professions including IT, sales, marketing, and HR. Particularly hard hit will be

B2B direct sales teams as multi-channel marketing automation efforts will

eliminate or shrink B2B sales groups.

Marc Miller President, Career Pivot

LinkedIn: Marc Miller

Optimism and Caution

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Learn and Practice “Intellectual Capitalism”

Employ The New ABC’s of Career

Management-Avoid Being Complacent

8

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Employ The New ABC’s of Career Management

Embracing uncomfortability is another way to say avoid being complacent. We are in

uncomfortable times. Those solely seeking comfort and maintaining the status quo in their

career lives may find themselves blindsided when their company decides to insource,

outsource, expand or contract, if they are on the wrong side of that corporate action.

Proactively keep your network engaged. Help others reach their goals expecting nothing

in return. Ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile are always passively selling your wins.

Keep an active ear to what your industry, competitors and profession is doing to stay

ahead of trends. Pretend you are fired today and always have your plan of action in

motion and ready to take further action. The world belongs to those who embrace

uncomfortability and avoid being complacent.

Lisa Rangel Managing Director, ChameleonResumes.com

LinkedIn: Lisa Rangel

Avoid Being Complacent

CAREER MANAGEMENT

The robots are coming and indeed, are already here. Google the phrase “robots taking jobs away from humans” and you will see

article after article attesting to that fact. Such being the case, any and all job seekers should research their industry and discern

how long it will be before automation makes their present day skills obsolete and in the interim, they should be learning new skills

that are less vulnerable to the great robot takeover.

If you recognize the truth in what I’m saying, allow me to save you some time. Overall, blue collar workers in the automotive and

textile industry who perform repetitive tasks, will be obliterated in the next few years. However, police officers, HVAC technicians,

construction workers and plumbers will thrive because robots do not have common sense, don’t handle non-repetitive tasks well

and have trouble with pattern recognition. (For example, they can see shapes, but do not always recognize what a cup is or a

chair.)

White collar workers are not exempt from the robotic uprising either. I speculate that low-level accountants, bookkeepers, tellers

and the like will be displaced in a big way. Try this game, Google “robot tellers” and be amazed by the results. For that matter,

change the job title in your Google search from “tellers” to whatever it is you do. The results may surprise you.

For white collar workers to thrive in this new era, they should be intimately acquainted with the term “intellectual capitalism.” In a

nutshell, its how you use things like imagination, leadership, problem-solving and other such intangibles to bring value to a

company.

All of that to say, in 2017 and beyond, do not waste your time (or your money) pursuing a career that will be done by a robot. If you

do, I predict with full confidence that in 2017 you will be left behind and every year afterward.

Jim Stroud Senior Director of Recruiting Strategies and Support, Randstad Sourceright RPO

LinkedIn: Jim Stroud

Learn and Practice “Intellectual Capitalism”

RESUME TRENDS

Resumes and LinkedIn Work Together

Story Telling

11

RESUME TRENDS

LinkedIn profiles and resumes will work more in tandem.

Savvy job seekers accept the fact that, unless they have a personal website, their

LinkedIn profile is their digital home base. People who can help them meet their career

goals will probably find them there, before they find these people and send them their

resume.

LinkedIn profiles allow for much more content than resumes. Savvy job seekers will fully

populate every applicable LinkedIn section, telling their whole personal brand and career

story there. They will abbreviate the story on their resume, targeting it to a specific

employer, or specific group of similar employers. To consolidate the resume Experience

section, they will add a line at the end, referring readers to their LinkedIn profile, such as

this – “Please see LinkedIn profile for details” – and they will add a hyperlink to their

profile in that statement.

Meg Guiseppi CEO/President, Executive Career Brand

LinkedIn: Meg Guiseppi

Resumes and LinkedIn Work Together

RESUME TRENDS

I predict resume strategies will continue to be framed around storytelling with a twist.

While touching on culture will be imperative in 2017 resume development, it will be equally

important to show that you care about an organization’s real needs – especially in the

economic + social chaos we lately feel steeped in.

While job seekers aren’t fortune tellers, and it’s not always possible to foresee an

employer’s / hiring manager’s specific needs, you CAN express HOW you intelligently and

solidly hammered out bottom-line (measurable) solutions to burning needs at your current

company in a way that will resonate with a future employer (where you leave them

vigorously nodding, in the ‘been there, done that’ way).

In other words, 2017 resumes must have stories that leap off the page and grab the

reader, emotionally + intellectually.

Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter Owner / Chief Career Writer, CareerTrend

Twitter: @ValueIntoWords

Story Telling

RECRUITING TRENDS

Embrace Mobile

New Ways To Apply Online

Screening Assessments

Technology Removes Unconscious Bias

The Human Touch

Awareness

Expect More Real Conversations

14

RECRUITING TRENDS

I believe we’re going to see more employers add mobile capabilities to

their recruiting processes in 2017. Job seekers will want to understand

how to search and apply for jobs using their mobile devices. So, dust off

those outdated social profiles and start developing a routine to stay

engaged.

While it is a candidate’s job market, there’s still competition for the best

jobs and great places to work. Once you find the job of your dreams,

make sure your resume is optimized for submission – focus on

accomplishments that will make your resume stand out.

Sharlyn Lauby Author, HR Bartender

Twitter: @HRbartender

Embrace Mobile

RECRUITING TRENDS

In 2017 job seekers may come in contact with chatbots while applying or

engaging with a company. Already in use at a few employers across the country,

chatbots will allow you apply from your mobile phone with a just a few clicks. It

may include having you video yourself or by syncing your social media

accounts. With recent changes by Facebook, you will also be allowed to apply

via company facebook page and chat with the recruiter through their messenger

app.

Chris Russell Founder, CareerCloud

Twitter: @ChrisRussell

New Ways to Apply Online

RECRUITING TRENDS

There will be an increase in the use of behavioral assessments as one of the

hiring factors employers will use to make good hiring decisions. Employers are

more aware today of the need for candidates to fit well with the organization’s

culture, the new hire’s work team, and in customer-contact roles, customers.

Poor fit continues to be the top reason new hires fail.

Job seekers should not be surprised to have employers ask them to complete

assessments in 2017. Historically, the use of behavioral assessments has

increased each of the last two times the economy rebounded, so I’d expect the

same thing to happen in 2017.

Hank Boyer CEO, Boyer Management Group

LinkedIn: Hank Boyer

Screening Assessments

RECRUITING TRENDS

The app to change the game is the Blendoor app. The founder of the

app, Stephanie Lampkin, states this app will “directly combats the myth

diversity hiring means lowering the bar” when it comes to hiring. Now in

beta, the app presents an employer with an applicant profile without a

photo or personally identifiable information. This initially removes

“unconscious bias” from the hiring process and encourages merit to

stand out from the beginning of the process.

Mark Anthony Dyson Founder, The Voice of Job Seekers

Twitter: @MarkADyson

Technology Removes Unconscious Bias

RECRUITING TRENDS

While automation tools including those of the AI variety will find their

way into all aspects of recruiting and career advising, in 2017, I expect

to see more human touches from the recruiting side (people are not

passive, talent or human capital). I’d like to say that bad recruiting will

decline but I’m just a prognosticator not a magician…

Steve Levy Principle, Recruiting Inferno

LinkedIn: Steve Levy

The Human Touch

RECRUITING TRENDS

2017 will be interesting for the job seeker and employers. Recruiting is changing and the way candidates look

for jobs and how employers find candidates will continue to evolve. LinkedIn’s dominance is coming to an end.

Employers and Job Seekers will continue to become more savvy. Employers will know more about the

candidates and will use different techniques to contact and to attract candidates.

The market will continue to be hot and even though Artificial Intelligence will be used, and social media will

allow information to be readily available, both the employer and candidate will crave working with humans. The

job seekers will want to work for organizations that have the unique culture that separates one company from

the next and employment branding will continue to play an essential role in attracting those candidates.

Companies are going to have to be aggressive in their hiring, as job seekers will have there pick of which

organization they chose to work with.

As candidates continue to check Glassdoor for reputations of organizations, employers will due their due

diligence also and candidates will begin to realize being “less social” may be advantageous. Saying the wrong

thing at the wrong time could prevent a candidate from getting hired.

Will Thomson Founder & President, Bulls Eye Recruiting

LinkedIn: Will Thomson

Awareness

RECRUITING TRENDS

I joked several months ago that no matter who won the election,

impeachment lawyers would be in demand. I also see a need for more

fact checkers. As for serious predictions, I see a collision between two

emerging trends: the need for employers to provide a better recruitment

experience for job seekers versus the increase in systems approaches

including the interest in artificial intelligence.

In 2017, it will continue to shift to a job seekers market, so employers

need to personalize their outreach; have real conversations to avoid

making assumptions based on an algorithm.

Rich Grant Career Advisor, Southern New Hampshire University

LinkedIn: Rich Grant Twitter: @RichCareer

Expect More Real Conversations

RECRUITING

I teach HR & Recruiters how to find their new employees on the

Internet, and I warn them that scrutiny is no longer one-way; it’s a

Google world. Companies and recruiters need to share genuine insights

into who they are and what they are doing if they are to standout in this

noisy and candidate driven market.

In 2017, I see job seekers becoming even more aware that they can

gain direct access to the companies they want to work for and I see

those companies who open the virtual door having more success hiring.

Katrina Collier The Searchologist

Twitter: @KatrinaMCollier

Recruiting In A Transparent World

JOB SEARCH TRENDS

Mail Gets More Traction

Robust Hiring

Apply Agile Ingenuity

Focus on Job Search Fundamentals

Job Seekers Market

Conduct Due Diligence

Clear Unique Value Proposition

Master Job Search Basics 23

JOB SEARCH TRENDS

I believe the most important trend will be getting offline and

mailing (or handing) the resume and cover letter directly to

the hiring manager. I think hiring managers/recruiter are

overwhelmed with internet applications and if they receive a

nice professional package in the mail, it will get more

traction.

Chris Fields Owner/Chief Resume Writer, ResumeCrusade.com

Twitter: @resumecrusade

Mail Gets More Traction

JOB SEARCH TRENDS

According to the numerous HR executives I have spoken with, the

election caused many companies to put hiring on hold until they knew

who would be President. Organizations wanted clear direction on where

the country was headed.

I predict that Jan- May 2017 the hiring opportunities will be very robust.

Internal promotions will also see a big bump in numbers too. In other

words – a perfect climate if you are a job hunter. Networking and

tapping into the hidden job market will be more important than ever.

Robin Ryan Robin Ryan Career Counselor & Bestselling Author

LinkedIn: Robin Ryan

Robust Hiring

JOB SEARCH TRENDS

The most important trend for job seekers is to have “agile ingenuity” when

approaching today’s job market. You cannot stay rooted in anything you think

you know about job search, interviewing or resume writing.

This is a game played on an invisible playing field that requires you to be

resourceful, creative, and always on your toes. Expect to read and follow

application instructions more closely, deeply customize resumes and

communications, and move fluidly through a series of virtual, social media and

in-person interviews. There is no second place in a job search, so take steps

now to arm yourself to win.

Laura DeCarlo Executive Director, Career Directors International

LinkedIn: Laura DeCarlo

Apply Agile Ingenuity

JOB SEARCH TRENDS

My biggest piece of candidate advice for 2017 is to make sure you’ve adapted to the changes that

have already taken place in the jobs market. Companies today aren’t posting as many jobs online

– but are filling more roles through direct approaches to candidates and through employee

referrals.

When I talk to executive candidates, it’s shocking to uncover how many haven’t done a thorough

job of writing a strong LinkedIn profile that’s keyword and skills optimized. Meaning they’ll never be

found by the Recruiters looking to fill the exact roles they aspire to securing. Similarly, it’s shocking

how many people aren’t proactively networking and building relationships in advance of needing

them. Just think how many opportunities you could be being referred into as an ideal candidate, if

only you’d done the work to foster relationships over the last years.

There are of course lots of new technologies that will continue to shake the jobs market up over the

coming year, but addressing these fundamentals I believe is the single biggest thing candidates

should be addressing in 2017.

Tony Restell Founder, Social-Hire.com

Twitter: Tony Restell

Focus on Job Search Fundamentals

JOB SEARCH TRENDS

I believe 2017 will be a year of hope and wonderful new opportunities

for those searching. A new year, unemployment at its lowest in many

years, job seeker optimism is high and 69% of recruiters are reporting a

hiring increase with 86% saying no foreseeable layoffs. It’s going to be a

job seeker’s market (and choice) in 2017. **Stats from 2016 Jobvite

Surveys.

Jessica Hernandez President/CEO, Great Resumes Fast

LinkedIn: Jessica H. Hernandez, Executive Resume Writer

Job Seekers Market

JOB SEARCH TRENDS

Job seekers must do the legwork to assess new trends in company research,

resume branding, and interviewing (via Job-Hunt.org, Glassdoor.com, LinkedIn,

US News & World Report, or other reputable resources). If you don’t conduct

your due diligence and go into the search or interview unprepared, your

competitors will blow you out of the water!

You’ll find, among other tips, that a touch of color helps showcase key skills on

your resume, it’s a good idea to ask interviewers to define their ideal candidate,

and your employer research should include annual reports, industry trends, and

/ or news from the firm’s website.

Laura Smith-Proulx CEO, An Expert Resume

LinkedIn: Laura Smith-Proulx

Conduct Due Diligence

JOB SEARCH TRENDS

The most important, at least to my way of thinking, is clearly

lay out and articulate your unique value proposition. This

has been true for several years and yet the vast majority of

resumes I see utterly fail in this respect.

“So you’re a PM? Are you particularly adept at shepherding

your projects to an on-budget and on-schedule

completion?”

Ed Han Twitter: @ed_han

Clear Unique Value Proposition

JOB SEARCH TRENDS

For job seekers, I don’t think 2017 is going to be too different. Recruiting continues to shift towards the

digital space, but before creating a new user profile on that fancy new job seeker website or

abandoning the advice of traditionalists, keep this in mind: the basics remain the same. Research and

prepare, seek internal and external guidance (mentorship.) Build out leadership skills through

experience and make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete. Continue to connect and engage with

recruiters, hiring managers, business contacts and colleagues in a professional setting via LinkedIn. In

2017, you can almost guarantee that part of the process will include a video interview.

Build out your leadership skills with experiences outside of the classroom. Volunteer. Join a group on

campus or in your community that provides you with an opportunity to work on something you’re

passionate about (like empowering people, giving back.)

Want to go an extra step? Take a new course via LinkedIn Learning or site like Coursera or Udemy to

learn a new skill or build on one of your already established strengths. Never stop learning!

Kirk Baumann Founder, Campus to Career

Twitter: @kbaumann

Master Job Search Basics

ONLINE VISIBILITY TRENDS

Clear and Appropriate Online Visibility

Demonstrate Soft Skills Through Social Media

Rise In Online Website Platforms

32

ONLINE VISIBILITY

Employers and recruiters relentlessly search to find qualified candidates and also to vet job applicants. So, in

2017, job seekers with clear and appropriate online visibility, demonstrating their professional qualifications,

will have their next jobs find them.

In 2017, the most important job search/career requirements and skills for job seekers will be:

a clear and coherent personal brand

personal online reputation management supporting that brand

personal SEO supporting that brand

Without those 3 essential elements, people will be invisible. But, this means that they must be MUCH more

careful about what they share, where they share, and how they share information, ideas, and opinions. What

they make visible will be judged and will impact their careers as well as their job searches.

LinkedIn is essential for most professionals, but I think that Facebook will grow in importance as more

employers leverage it to post their jobs. Unfortunately, Facebook is the network which is most personal and

also the least professional and trustworthy. Microsoft’s ownership of LinkedIn may generate some interesting

developments there, too, though.

Susan P. Joyce Publisher and Author, Job-Hunt.org

LinkedIn: Susan Joyce

Clear and Appropriate Online Visibility

ONLINE VISIBILITY

Social media continues to play a big role in recruitment; LinkedIn’s U.S. Recruiting

Trends says 44% of employers believe “social professional networks” are top sources of

hire.

Job seekers should create detailed online profiles to attract and impress hiring

managers. Don’t underestimate how important it is to engage in online groups to extend

your network and connect with potential opportunities.

Jobs in technology will continue to be in high demand, but trends suggest employers

appreciate candidates who have strong “soft skills,” including problem solving, team

leadership and the ability to communicate effectively. Use social media tools to feature

and highlight these skills to distinguish yourself from others who may have a similar

background to you.

Miriam Salpeter Job Search and Social Media Strategist, Keppie Careers

Twitter: @Keppie_Careers

Demonstrate Soft Skills Through Social Media

ONLINE VISIBILITY

The career industry is ripe for technology to begin to drive efficiencies and real

change in the job search/hiring process. As more people understand the need to

manage their online presence, they will begin to seek out the quickest and

easiest method to get their online house in order.

This awareness will cause a rise in the number of online website platforms

specifically designed to help people put their personal and career brands online.

These new platforms will provide users with a way to tell their career story like

never before and will finally begin to challenge the resume as the sole method

for conveying value during the job search process.

Ryan Rhoten Owner, CareerBrand

Twitter: @RyanRhoten

Rise In Online Website Platforms

INTERVIEWING TRENDS

New Forms of Candidate Evaluation

Video Screening To Replace Phone

Screen

Salary Transparency

36

INTERVIEWING TRENDS

Watch for employers to start using candidate evaluation techniques other than

interviews. While research has shown that assessment centers and behavior-

based interviews provide the best results, they’re expensive and time-

consuming for employers to use.

Thus, employers are looking for quicker, cheaper fixes and there’s a small

army of organizational psychologists and software developers trying to devise

fast, low-cost alternatives.

Many/most of these methods will fail the legal requirement that they predict job

performance. However, that won’t stop companies from offering them and

employers from using them.

Donna Svei Avid Careerist

LinkedIn: Donna Svei

New Forms of Candidate Evaluation

INTREVIEWING TRENDS

Ace the Video Interview

1. Practice – ahead of time to get comfortable with this format

2. Test equipment – prior to interview to work out any kinks

3. Dress professionally

4. Remove distractions – other apps, phone and environment

5. Good nonverbals – Make eye contact, look at camera, not yourself, smile, use some hand

gestures

6. Conversational style – just like in person

7. Use notes – unlike in interview, you can use notes, but avoid looking at them too much

8. Take a second – nod when responding to questions from interviewer and wait a second

before answering to avoid talking over interviewer.

Margo Wickersham Owner, Margo Wickersham Coaching MargoWickersham.com

Facebook: Margo Wickersham

Video Screening To Replace Phone Screen

INTERVIEWING TRENDS

In 2017, one of the biggest trends that will help job seekers is a continued

increase in transparency. In recent years, career websites have been releasing

more information that helps to give job seekers the upper hand when

interviewing, including company ranking, sample interview questions, and

average salary.

To learn if you are being paid fairly in your current job, check out the

new Glassdoor.com Know Your Worth tool. You’ll be asked to provide your

employer name, employer location, job title, number of years experience,

salary, education level, university, and major. Glassdoor will provide information

about your market value in your city.

Angela Copeland Career Coach, Copeland Coaching

Twitter: @CopelandCoach

Salary Transparency

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