subject: Little Hiring Expected By Small Business [print this page] The depressing headline from a poll by the U.S. Chamber is that little hiring is on the horizon by small businesses. Only 2 out of 10 businesses expect to add new employees this year and in 2012. Summertime statistics like this about unemployment and projected job growth prompted President Obama to prepare a jobs creation plan which he presented to the American public in early September.
Why Are Small Businesses Hesitant To Hire?
The poll of more than 1,400 small businesses, conducted for the U.S. Chamber by Harris Interactive, highlights key factors behind why businesses are, or are not, hiring. The key driver of the sentiment is economic uncertainty. Factors including the national debt, continued deficit spending and the requirements of the healthcare law compound the uncertainty. In fact, small business owners are just as concerned with Obama Care affecting their business as they are about a lack of sales.
Thomas J. Donohue is President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. "Stronger and faster economic growth is the best way to successfully put Americans back to work," Donohue told a crowd of more than 350 business leaders. "The time is now for Congress and the White House to act boldly and restore America's reputation as a "can do" country."
Is The Worst Really Over?
Despite only 1 out of 100 small businesses predicting that they will be adding many jobs, there is a silver lining. Two thirds will be keeping current staff. This is further confirmation that the worst is over. I found it interesting how other news publications, including the Wall Sreet Journal, characterized this same two thirds as "not planning to add to payroll." Technically this is a true statement, but they chose to report the exact same data in a negative light. Media bias? You decide.
"The voices of these Main Street businesses are telling us plain and simple: To start hiring, we need faster economic growth and a change of course in Washington," Donohue said.
Focus On What You Can Control
You can't control whether businesses hire. However, you can control your preparedness to outshine your competition for jobs when more businesses start looking for talent. That includes researching fast growing careers if you are unhappy with your current job situation. It also means improving your resume and practicing your interview skills.
