Now that the economy has taken a downturn, how has the job hunt changed?
HULME: The tables have turned. There are fewer jobs and more people in the job market seeking them. Employers now have the upper hand. They can be more selective. They can easily hold out for the “total package” candidate that seemed so elusive a short time ago — the candidate with the needed skill set, the desired amount and type of experience, and the preferred educational background. When the labor market was tighter, it was difficult to find all of these qualifications in one person. Employers often had to compromise. For example, in the absence of enough work experience or the proper skills, the employer may have invested in training a new hire, which can drive up costs and slow productivity levels. Now, with the easing of the labor market, it’s easier to find that “total package.” Employers also have greater control over salaries. Job-seekers are no longer in a position to command the salaries we saw just one year ago. In fact, pay cuts are occurring in some companies — somethi
