Job Outlook Positive for Second Half of 2018

As employers grapple with a highly competitive hiring environment that’s causing prolonged job vacancies across the U.S., workers are reaping the benefits. According to CareerBuilder's Midyear Job Forecast, 63 percent of U.S. employers plan to hire full-time, permanent workers in the second half of 2018, up from 60 percent last year. What’s more, according to the report, a substantial percentage of employers hiring in the second half of 2018 are expecting to offer higher salaries and various perks—such as signing bonuses, extra paid time off, free lunches and the ability to work remotely—to attract and keep the talent they need.

What’s at the root of the struggle to find good employees? Low unemployment and an increasing skills gap. According to CareerBuilder CEO Matt Ferguson, "Fifty percent of U.S. employers reported that it is taking them longer to fill jobs today compared to any other period of time—a trend that is ultimately giving job seekers more leverage."

Because of the trend, job seekers and current valued employees may see greater financial incentives. According to the report, 45 percent of employers plan to increase starting salaries on new job offers in the back half of 2018; 23 percent of all employers plan to increase starting salaries by 5 percent or more. Fifty-eight percent of employers will increase compensation for current employees before year-end, with 24 percent of all employers planning an increase of 5 percent or more on average.

Important to note, the study also shows that compensation increases aren't limited to high-skill positions. Looking at a subset of human resource managers, 71 percent believe they have to pay entry-level workers more money because of tight talent pools.

The top roles employers hiring in the second half of 2018 say they will be hiring include:

1. Customer service – 41 percent
2. Sales – 28 percent
3. Information technology – 22 percent
4. Product development – 16 percent
5. Business development – 16 percent 

In an effort to draw in more applicants and, ultimately, hires, employers hiring in the second half of 2018 said they would be highlighting different perks in their job offers, such as:

• Casual dress code – 36 percent
• Employee discounts – 31 percent
• Ability to work remotely – 25 percent
• Extra paid time off – 22 percent
• Signing bonus – 21 percent
• Free lunches – 14 percent
• Gym memberships – 12 percent
• Work from home Fridays – 10 percent
• Daycare – 8 percent