Chart from Employers Expect Uptick in Hiring in the New Year, CareerBuilder’s 2010 Job Forecast Finds | The Hiring Site

We all know that 2009 was a tough year for many, given the downturn in the economy and its impact on employment. But according to a recent survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com, some employers are cautiously optimistic about job growth returning in the new year. The survey polled 2700 Hiring Managers and HR professionals regarding their hiring strategies for 2010.

While many of the survey’s findings are encouraging for the job market in general, here are a few specific trends that align with Sodexo’s 2010 hiring outlook.

• The survey anticipates a slight rise in hiring. Sodexo has already seen an 8% increase in new job openings in November and December 2009 versus the same time frame for the previous year.
• 37% of employers that participated in the survey plan to strengthen their brands through social media. Sodexo has been recognized by the Corporate Executive Board and the New Society for Communications Research as a pioneer in the use of social media in recruitment initiatives.
• 35% of employers polled plan to provide flexible work arrangements (up from 31% in 2009). Sodexo has been a leader in this area as well, with a flexible work arrangement initiative that includes flextime, telecommuting, remote work, part time and job sharing.
• 67% of those surveyed say they are likely to hire retirees from other companies. Sodexo maintains contact with our retirees and past employees through our alumni program, Reconnexions, for full-time and special project assignments.
• 11% of employers surveyed plan to add green jobs. Sodexo anticipates aligning with this trend, if not outpacing it. Key drivers such as Sodexo’s core commitment to corporate citizenship and sustainability in conjunction with our clients’ commitment to decreasing their carbon footprints will continue to create new green jobs within Sodexo in 2010.

An additional positive trend Sodexo forecasts in the new year is to continue to increase the amount of new college graduates we hire. In fact, Black Collegian magazine ranked the company in their top 100 list of Employers for 2010. The ranking is based on projected hires of new college graduates for the year.

As job seekers analyze employment trends for 2010, they will find that Sodexo has opportunities that run the gamut for recent college graduates, to those seeking flexible work arrangements, to senior managers and to retirees looking to return to work.

For more information on exciting careers at Sodexo click here.

Click here for the full CareerBuilder.com survey.