Annual Job Forecast Says Summer Hiring and Pay Will be Up

Job creation over the course of the summer months may pick up by an expected increase in seasonal hiring, according to CareerBuilder’s “Annual Summer Job Forecast”.

Despite the April and May adjusted jobs numbers, which fell below expectations, it seems over 25% plan to hire workers for the summer, up from 2011, and more than the average of 22% over the past 4 years, as detailed in the report.

Hospitality, manufacturing, retail and finance are expected to lead in seasonal hiring, as consumer confidence has increased heading into the vacation season.

Numbers for the Memorial Day weekend travelers vacationing 60 miles or more from home were up, and gasoline prices had been stable.

Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America said the good news for job seekers is that seasonal work can often lead to full-time opportunities.

“Confidence is up among employers we most closely associate with summer hiring,” said Rasmussen. “The forecast is also a strong indicator that the job market will continue to strengthen as we come closer to the second half of 2012.”

And, the possibility of full-time employment makes summer work a good opportunity for recent college grads, unemployed job seekers, along with a number of people who’ve left the workforce. 

Many times a seasonal job is a great “audition” for a full-time spot  the employer will need to fill.

Although many summer jobs are filled in April and May, nearly 20% will hire in June and after. 

It is not just hospitality, manufacturing and retail making jobs available in the summer, employers in customer service, office support, research and sales are also expected to hire seasonal workers.

What have YOU seen available? 

Have you had more opportunities to apply to? 

Let us know how you feel about the overall summer jobs forecast.