| April 15, 2004 |
Author: Emory Mulling (Chairman of The Mulling Companies/Lincolnshire International)
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| HR Career Challenges |
| The Necessity to Plan |
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The recent economic downturn has affected the Atlanta job market to a great degree. All of us are aware of the negative effect that the decline in the convention, airline and telecommunications industries has had on our city. It has been estimated that approximately 35% of our SHRM-Atlanta members have lost their jobs since this economic downturn began. Having been active in our chapter for over 25 years, I have never before seen our profession affected to such a degree.
Despite the loss of jobs, there is good news on the horizon for the Atlanta job market as well as for us in the Human Resources industry. In February 2003, the Georgia unemployment for the civilian labor force was 4.8 % compared to 3.8 % in February 2004 (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). As we look into the future job market, we SHRM-Atlanta members must be aware of the following trends to progress in our careers:
· According to The Gartner Group, a business analyst firm, the demand to outsource HR services is projected to grow at the rate of 22% for the next five years. As a result, some HR professionals will be required to become HR consultants versus internal HR practitioners. When this outsourcing trend began about ten years ago, many HR professionals were fearful of losing their jobs, but the American economy has absorbed most of these individuals as outsourced consultants. In essence, these professionals are performing the same work for many different companies instead of one employer. Many are enjoying the variety and new career challenges that outsourcing provides. With HR Magazine reporting that only one percent of these outsourced positions have been returned to companies, individuals in the HR profession must continue to increase and broaden their expertise in order to be valued as outsourced employees.
· A three-year career plan has become a necessity. While many people have long-term strategies for their financial, medical and even vacation planning, few have really developed a career strategy to guide them over the next few years. With mergers and acquisitions occurring at an even greater pace, it has become mandatory to have alternate career paths that you can realistically take if necessary. With the current average number of careers in a lifetime being three to five, HR professionals are not immune to this trend.
· SHRM-Atlanta members are fortunate that our metropolitan area is predicted to have the Fastest Projected Job Growth of any metropolitan area in the nation. 1.8 million jobs will be created in Atlanta through the year 2025 (Source: U.S Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics – see full chart below). Not only will there be many opportunities for career advancement, HR Departments and outsourced recruiting sources will be in high demand as a resource for talent.
· Another trend that will affect your career is the decreasing US unemployment rate, which is predicted to continue. The nation’s second largest over-the-month unemployment rate decrease from January 2004 to February 2004 was experienced in Georgia at – 0.5 % (Source: U.S Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics). All of us in the Atlanta HR community can benefit from this positive trend over the next decade because many career opportunities are returning to our metropolitan area. This will benefit your personal career by making it easier to find the most suitable opportunity if you have adequately prepared.
Career planning for HR practitioners is more important now that business is changing at an ever-increasing rate with no expected slowdown. We always advise those in a career search to take advantage of the forecasted changes in the workplace. If you are prepared for these trends effecting HR, your career can be even more successful.
15 Metropolitan AreasWith the Fastest Job Growth
(Projected Growth Through Year 2025)
1,800,000 Atlanta
1,500,000 Phoenix
1,500,000 Houston
1,400,000 Dallas
1,300,000 Washington, D.C.
1,300,000 Los Angeles
1,200,000 San Diego
1,100,000 Seattle
1,100,000 Orange County
1,000,000 Tampa
1,000,000 Orlando
1,000,000 Denver
900,000 Minneapolis
800,000 Boston
800,000 Chicago
Information Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
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