Pacific Staffing
Sacramento Quarterly Employment Trends

Job demand & hiring trends for local companies in the 3rd Quarter of 2010

Eighty percent (80%) of the human resource professionals at the region’s top companies say, in a word, no, the recession isn’t over. However, when asked about progress toward economic recovery -“Are you looking forward to a better economy now?”- seventy-five percent (75%) of those with the 100 top companies say, yes. While the results indicate optimism for recovery is widespread, Pacific Staffing has discovered that confidence in long-term stability remains a question mark for many of the people who manage other people in the Sacramento regional economy. HR contacts were also asked if, in their opinion, they expected the company to grow and sixty-six percent (66%) said, yes. Fifty-two percent (52%) of those responding also believed that jobs were returning slowly and hiring will soon increase in the area.

In the 3rd Quarter, fifty-eight percent (58%) of Sacramento regional companies say they will be hiring. Another forty-two percent (42%) say no hiring is planned for July, August and September. In direct contacts by telephone May 24- June 21, forty percent (40%) of companies report hiring only for replacements or attrition in the existing workforce. However, the number of companies attributing hiring motivated by growth has risen again in 2010 with thirty-five percent (35%) hiring for new workers in Q3.

Twelve percent (12%) of Sacramento regional hiring was also attributed to seasonal demands. Four percent (4%) of companies planned force reductions, attributing them to seasonal change or problems caused by recession and continuing slow business.

Skills Demand
Sales, technical skills and customer service experience are in high demand in the next three months. Sacramento regional HR contacts also report need for warehouse, shipping, product assembly and manufacturing experience in the next Quarter for those seeking employment.

Workforce Challenge?
The top challenge ahead for HR pros in the area is concern about how to manage changes in healthcare benefits and costs relating to new laws.

100 Sacramento Regional Top Companies By Industry:

43% are Service, 32% are Manufacturers, 14% are Construction and
11% are Retail