Skills and Attributes in Demand
Regional Trends

With an eye on the bottom line, firms are more carefully assessing their staffing needs in order to assemble teams best equipped to respond to changing business conditions. Some companies that found they cut too deeply to manage costs are hiring to backfill positions and maintain productivity. A number of firms also are taking advantage of a larger candidate pool to bring in additional talent that can help prepare them for the inevitable economic upturn. Employers are more selective in their recruitment approach to ensure they avoid costly hiring mistakes.

Following are trends affecting the employment environment for administrative professionals:

• Bottom-line staffing decisions – Most businesses that are hiring are attempting to fill revenue-generating positions first. Customer service professionals, for example, are in particular demand because customer retention is a top priority.
• Hiring in response to economic stimulus – Administrative professionals may be needed in a variety of industries impacted by the government's recent economic stimulus package. For example, administrative talent will likely be needed to help support the proposed transition to electronic medical records, national infrastructure improvement projects and the move toward more "green" industries.
• Temporary needs – Some businesses that reduced staff during the downturn are finding they acted too aggressively and need help to maintain productivity and quickly respond to new business demands as they arise. A number of these firms are engaging professionals on a temporary basis to assist full-time staff while reducing the risk of further layoffs if their business does not rebound as quickly.
• Talent improvements – Some companies are taking advantage of the larger pool of job seekers and hiring to expand the skill sets and expertise of their staff. This approach allows companies to strengthen their talent bench and better position themselves for growth when the economy recovers.
• Thorough approach – When businesses find they have a full-time need, hiring managers are selective and rigorous with the hiring process — sometimes conducting several rounds of interviews — to ensure they hire a candidate with the right skills and experience that match the requirements of the open position.
• Salaries impacted – Tighter budgets and a greater supply of candidates are lowering starting compensation for many administrative positions. According to our 2010 Salary Guide, starting salaries are projected to decrease by an average of 2.2 percent next year.