Those pursuing a job or preparing to start looking may have a good reason to feel optimistic, say the authors of a study released today by career assistance website Simply Hired.
According to the July 2012 Employment Outlook, nationwide job openings increased by 9.2 in June, and grew 13.3 percent from last year's levels. Boston and Pittsburgh showed the greatest rise, with openings rising 16 percent, while in Salt Lake City unfilled positions grew 15 percent. Researchers also identified New York City, Seattle and Tampa as areas with stronger conditions compared to past months.
Agriculture saw the largest industry-related increase in openings, with free positions surging by 31.6 percent, a nearly 200 percent increase from last year. Other fields noted in the report for their employment opportunities include the nonprofit, financial services and technology sectors, the latter of which has experienced an 8.2 percent increase in open positions since May 2012.
"For the second month in a row we're seeing positive growth in job openings nationwide," Gautam Godhwani, CEO and cofounder of Simply Hired, said in a press release. "This steady increase is reflected across all the major metro areas, showing that employers have a confidence in today's economy, which is very encouraging as we head towards the fall hiring season."
Simply Hired's findings are calculated by canvassing various career websites as well as utilizing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, as many experts have pointed out, the current levels of open positions are fuelled largely by a lack of skilled applicants, especially those in the information technology (IT) sector. Those seeking a job in this field should consider acquiring computer certifications from Alliance Micro Solutions (AMS). An AMS course, taught by a Subject Matter Expert, can help equip IT professionals with the tools they need to succeed in the global marketplace. Check out an AMS course guide online today for more information.