The best fields to find jobs in for 2011 include health care, information technology and other scientific and technical positions. Image: CC Lori Greig/Flickr
The unemployment rate may be stuck on high, but there will by more jobs available in 2011 than last year. Hiring is expected to increase in a variety of industries and regions of the country. Based on economic and demographic trends, demand is expected to significantly increase for certain occupations in the years ahead.
Employers bullish on job creation
More U.S. companies are planning to add permanent, full-time positions in 2011. According to a survey of 2,400 employers surveyed by CareerBuilder, 24 percent plan to add jobs, up from 20 percent last year and 14 percent from 2009. Part-time positions will increase at 13 percent of the employers surveyed, up from 11 percent in 2010 and 9 percent the year before. Thirty-four percent of employers planning on hiring will go with contractors or temp workers, a 30 percent increase from 2010. Thirty-nine percent said they plan to convert contractors or temp workers into full-time, permanent positions.
Industries hiring in 2011
Labor market analysts predict growth in a broad spectrum of service jobs in 2011. Service jobs include retail, health care, information technology and other scientific and technical positions. Health care will be a productive sector of the labor market, due to the aging population in the U.S. Companies that have been hoarding profits may start to upgrade technology, which is good news for IT professionals. An increase in lending activity will create positions in the financial sector. If the economy gathers steam as expected, sales and marketing positions will also become more available.
The best career choices in 2011
For people who are choosing or switching careers in 2011, particular industries offer the most secure positions, according to the Labor Department. As health care demands grow, nursing positions are expected to grow by up to 22 percent by 2018. Demand for physical therapists may increase 30 percent and pharmacists, 17 percent. Jobs for systems analysts could rise 53 percent by 2018; software engineers–32 percent. other fields where jobs are expected to grow as much as 30 percent include biomedical and environmental engineering, accounting and veterinary services.
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