The document discusses several workforce and job search trends for 2017: 1. Micro-teams focused on solving specific problems will become more common, valuing subject matter expertise over "fitting within company culture." 2. Skilled trades jobs will increase with infrastructure investments, offering opportunities for those without degrees. 3. More people will rely on side gigs to supplement flat wages, and skills training will facilitate earning money on the side. 4. Re-training may be needed due to political changes promising job impacts, and remote/telecommuting work will continue growing in popularity.

1. 1

2. WORKFORCE TRENDS
 Micro-teams Focused On Solutions
 Skilled Trades on the Rise
 Side Gigs
 Re-Training and Telecommuting/Remote Work
 Optimism and Caution
2

3. WORKFORCE TRENDS
In 2017, we’ll start to see an end of the emphasis of “fit within company culture.”
Instead, employers will stress the ability to work within mission-focused micro-
teams.
These small teams, with an established short-term goal, will be built for the sole
purpose of solving a specific problem or meeting an immediate challenge. So
rather than concentrating on individual task-based strengths, hiring will focus
exclusively on subject matter expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for
the mission. Emotional intelligence and the ability to focus on solutions, rather
than worshiping the problem, will be in high demand.
Mark Babbitt
CEO & Founder, YouTern
Twitter: @MarkSBabbitt
Micro-teams Focused On Solutions

4. WORKFORCE TRENDS
I see an uptick in skilled trades jobs. Building is booming in many parts of the
country and new infrastructure investments may be coming from federal and
state governments. These jobs offer great opportunities for those without a
college degree, workers not interested in behind-the-desk jobs, and people of all
backgrounds looking for steady work that pays well.
There has been so much emphasis on college that traditional vocational
programs have been diminished, so the need has been building for decades.
Builders and small manufacturers say they can’t get good help. Some
employers are willing to train, and union and trades apprentice programs offer
other doorways to these opportunities.
Louise Kursmark
President, Best Impression Career Services, Inc.
LinkedIn: Louise Kursmark
Skilled Trades on the Rise

5. WORKFORCE TRENDS
As wages continue to stay flat, more people are relying on side gigs to
earn more income. The gig economy is continuing to grow and I see this
continuing into 2017 and beyond. Marketing yourself as a solution to a
specific problem is the fastest way to grow your income.
If you don’t feel like you have the skills to earn money on the side of
your job, then it has also become easier than ever to take courses and
read books in order to learn skills that can immediately earn you extra
income.
Olivia Gamber
Partner, Career Attraction
Twitter: @TheOliviaGamber
Side Gigs

6. WORKFORCE TRENDS
Most years, nothing happens that dramatically impacts job search, trends continue and
others begin. This year might be different because a few major countries have/will have
new leaders (UK, USA, France, etc.) and new leaders mean promises to fill. In the US in
particular, Trump has made some very big promises with regards to jobs and the economy
and if he moves quickly on some of them, it’s possible that many jobs will be created (or
vice-versa!). While it’s more realistic to think that the impact will be felt a little further down
the road, I can imagine more people than usual requiring retraining.
As for continuing trends, more people will continue the shift to telecommuting/remote work
and freelancing, both part-time and full-time, which means the importance of personal
branding and reputation management will continue to grow (even if both ideas were more
hyped a few years ago).
Jacob Share
Job Search Expert, JobMob
Twitter: @jacobshare
Re-Training and Telecommuting/Remote Work

7. WORKFORCE TRENDS
Hiring for baby boomers will continue to improve as the continued tight labor
market will force employers to look to older workers to fill their needs.
The dreaded applicant tracking systems (ATS) will continue to vex job seekers.
The assimilation of LinkedIn into Microsoft will mean an acceleration of new
features along with higher fees.
Social, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud (SMAC) will continue to disrupt a variety of
professions including IT, sales, marketing, and HR. Particularly hard hit will be
B2B direct sales teams as multi-channel marketing automation efforts will
eliminate or shrink B2B sales groups.
Marc Miller
President, Career Pivot
LinkedIn: Marc Miller
Optimism and Caution

8. CAREER MANAGEMENT
 Learn and Practice “Intellectual Capitalism”
 Employ The New ABC’s of Career
Management-Avoid Being Complacent
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9. CAREER MANAGEMENT
Employ The New ABC’s of Career Management
Embracing uncomfortability is another way to say avoid being complacent. We are in
uncomfortable times. Those solely seeking comfort and maintaining the status quo in their
career lives may find themselves blindsided when their company decides to insource,
outsource, expand or contract, if they are on the wrong side of that corporate action.
Proactively keep your network engaged. Help others reach their goals expecting nothing
in return. Ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile are always passively selling your wins.
Keep an active ear to what your industry, competitors and profession is doing to stay
ahead of trends. Pretend you are fired today and always have your plan of action in
motion and ready to take further action. The world belongs to those who embrace
uncomfortability and avoid being complacent.
Lisa Rangel
Managing Director, ChameleonResumes.com
LinkedIn: Lisa Rangel
Avoid Being Complacent

10. CAREER MANAGEMENT
The robots are coming and indeed, are already here. Google the phrase “robots taking jobs away from humans” and you will see
article after article attesting to that fact. Such being the case, any and all job seekers should research their industry and discern
how long it will be before automation makes their present day skills obsolete and in the interim, they should be learning new skills
that are less vulnerable to the great robot takeover.
If you recognize the truth in what I’m saying, allow me to save you some time. Overall, blue collar workers in the automotive and
textile industry who perform repetitive tasks, will be obliterated in the next few years. However, police officers, HVAC technicians,
construction workers and plumbers will thrive because robots do not have common sense, don’t handle non-repetitive tasks well
and have trouble with pattern recognition. (For example, they can see shapes, but do not always recognize what a cup is or a
chair.)
White collar workers are not exempt from the robotic uprising either. I speculate that low-level accountants, bookkeepers, tellers
and the like will be displaced in a big way. Try this game, Google “robot tellers” and be amazed by the results. For that matter,
change the job title in your Google search from “tellers” to whatever it is you do. The results may surprise you.
For white collar workers to thrive in this new era, they should be intimately acquainted with the term “intellectual capitalism.” In a
nutshell, its how you use things like imagination, leadership, problem-solving and other such intangibles to bring value to a
company.
All of that to say, in 2017 and beyond, do not waste your time (or your money) pursuing a career that will be done by a robot. If you
do, I predict with full confidence that in 2017 you will be left behind and every year afterward.
Jim Stroud
Senior Director of Recruiting Strategies and Support, Randstad Sourceright RPO
LinkedIn: Jim Stroud
Learn and Practice “Intellectual Capitalism”

11. RESUME TRENDS
 Resumes and LinkedIn Work Together
 Story Telling
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12. RESUME TRENDS
LinkedIn profiles and resumes will work more in tandem.
Savvy job seekers accept the fact that, unless they have a personal website, their
LinkedIn profile is their digital home base. People who can help them meet their career
goals will probably find them there, before they find these people and send them their
resume.
LinkedIn profiles allow for much more content than resumes. Savvy job seekers will fully
populate every applicable LinkedIn section, telling their whole personal brand and career
story there. They will abbreviate the story on their resume, targeting it to a specific
employer, or specific group of similar employers. To consolidate the resume Experience
section, they will add a line at the end, referring readers to their LinkedIn profile, such as
this – “Please see LinkedIn profile for details” – and they will add a hyperlink to their
profile in that statement.
Meg Guiseppi
CEO/President, Executive Career Brand
LinkedIn: Meg Guiseppi
Resumes and LinkedIn Work Together

13. RESUME TRENDS
I predict resume strategies will continue to be framed around storytelling with a twist.
While touching on culture will be imperative in 2017 resume development, it will be equally
important to show that you care about an organization’s real needs – especially in the
economic + social chaos we lately feel steeped in.
While job seekers aren’t fortune tellers, and it’s not always possible to foresee an
employer’s / hiring manager’s specific needs, you CAN express HOW you intelligently and
solidly hammered out bottom-line (measurable) solutions to burning needs at your current
company in a way that will resonate with a future employer (where you leave them
vigorously nodding, in the ‘been there, done that’ way).
In other words, 2017 resumes must have stories that leap off the page and grab the
reader, emotionally + intellectually.
Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter
Owner / Chief Career Writer, CareerTrend
Twitter: @ValueIntoWords
Story Telling

14. RECRUITING TRENDS
 Embrace Mobile
 New Ways To Apply Online
 Screening Assessments
 Technology Removes Unconscious Bias
 The Human Touch
 Awareness
 Expect More Real Conversations
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15. RECRUITING TRENDS
I believe we’re going to see more employers add mobile capabilities to
their recruiting processes in 2017. Job seekers will want to understand
how to search and apply for jobs using their mobile devices. So, dust off
those outdated social profiles and start developing a routine to stay
engaged.
While it is a candidate’s job market, there’s still competition for the best
jobs and great places to work. Once you find the job of your dreams,
make sure your resume is optimized for submission – focus on
accomplishments that will make your resume stand out.
Sharlyn Lauby
Author, HR Bartender
Twitter: @HRbartender
Embrace Mobile

16. RECRUITING TRENDS
In 2017 job seekers may come in contact with chatbots while applying or
engaging with a company. Already in use at a few employers across the country,
chatbots will allow you apply from your mobile phone with a just a few clicks. It
may include having you video yourself or by syncing your social media
accounts. With recent changes by Facebook, you will also be allowed to apply
via company facebook page and chat with the recruiter through their messenger
app.
Chris Russell
Founder, CareerCloud
Twitter: @ChrisRussell
New Ways to Apply Online

17. RECRUITING TRENDS
There will be an increase in the use of behavioral assessments as one of the
hiring factors employers will use to make good hiring decisions. Employers are
more aware today of the need for candidates to fit well with the organization’s
culture, the new hire’s work team, and in customer-contact roles, customers.
Poor fit continues to be the top reason new hires fail.
Job seekers should not be surprised to have employers ask them to complete
assessments in 2017. Historically, the use of behavioral assessments has
increased each of the last two times the economy rebounded, so I’d expect the
same thing to happen in 2017.
Hank Boyer
CEO, Boyer Management Group
LinkedIn: Hank Boyer
Screening Assessments

18. RECRUITING TRENDS
The app to change the game is the Blendoor app. The founder of the
app, Stephanie Lampkin, states this app will “directly combats the myth
diversity hiring means lowering the bar” when it comes to hiring. Now in
beta, the app presents an employer with an applicant profile without a
photo or personally identifiable information. This initially removes
“unconscious bias” from the hiring process and encourages merit to
stand out from the beginning of the process.
Mark Anthony Dyson
Founder, The Voice of Job Seekers
Twitter: @MarkADyson
Technology Removes Unconscious Bias

19. RECRUITING TRENDS
While automation tools including those of the AI variety will find their
way into all aspects of recruiting and career advising, in 2017, I expect
to see more human touches from the recruiting side (people are not
passive, talent or human capital). I’d like to say that bad recruiting will
decline but I’m just a prognosticator not a magician…
Steve Levy
Principle, Recruiting Inferno
LinkedIn: Steve Levy
The Human Touch

20. RECRUITING TRENDS
2017 will be interesting for the job seeker and employers. Recruiting is changing and the way candidates look
for jobs and how employers find candidates will continue to evolve. LinkedIn’s dominance is coming to an end.
Employers and Job Seekers will continue to become more savvy. Employers will know more about the
candidates and will use different techniques to contact and to attract candidates.
The market will continue to be hot and even though Artificial Intelligence will be used, and social media will
allow information to be readily available, both the employer and candidate will crave working with humans. The
job seekers will want to work for organizations that have the unique culture that separates one company from
the next and employment branding will continue to play an essential role in attracting those candidates.
Companies are going to have to be aggressive in their hiring, as job seekers will have there pick of which
organization they chose to work with.
As candidates continue to check Glassdoor for reputations of organizations, employers will due their due
diligence also and candidates will begin to realize being “less social” may be advantageous. Saying the wrong
thing at the wrong time could prevent a candidate from getting hired.
Will Thomson
Founder & President, Bulls Eye Recruiting
LinkedIn: Will Thomson
Awareness

21. RECRUITING TRENDS
I joked several months ago that no matter who won the election,
impeachment lawyers would be in demand. I also see a need for more
fact checkers. As for serious predictions, I see a collision between two
emerging trends: the need for employers to provide a better recruitment
experience for job seekers versus the increase in systems approaches
including the interest in artificial intelligence.
In 2017, it will continue to shift to a job seekers market, so employers
need to personalize their outreach; have real conversations to avoid
making assumptions based on an algorithm.
Rich Grant
Career Advisor, Southern New Hampshire University
LinkedIn: Rich Grant Twitter: @RichCareer
Expect More Real Conversations

22. RECRUITING
I teach HR & Recruiters how to find their new employees on the
Internet, and I warn them that scrutiny is no longer one-way; it’s a
Google world. Companies and recruiters need to share genuine insights
into who they are and what they are doing if they are to standout in this
noisy and candidate driven market.
In 2017, I see job seekers becoming even more aware that they can
gain direct access to the companies they want to work for and I see
those companies who open the virtual door having more success hiring.
Katrina Collier
The Searchologist
Twitter: @KatrinaMCollier
Recruiting In A Transparent World

23. JOB SEARCH TRENDS
 Mail Gets More Traction
 Robust Hiring
 Apply Agile Ingenuity
 Focus on Job Search Fundamentals
 Job Seekers Market
 Conduct Due Diligence
 Clear Unique Value Proposition
 Master Job Search Basics
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24. JOB SEARCH TRENDS
I believe the most important trend will be getting offline and
mailing (or handing) the resume and cover letter directly to
the hiring manager. I think hiring managers/recruiter are
overwhelmed with internet applications and if they receive a
nice professional package in the mail, it will get more
traction.
Chris Fields
Owner/Chief Resume Writer, ResumeCrusade.com
Twitter: @resumecrusade
Mail Gets More Traction

25. JOB SEARCH TRENDS
According to the numerous HR executives I have spoken with, the
election caused many companies to put hiring on hold until they knew
who would be President. Organizations wanted clear direction on where
the country was headed.
I predict that Jan- May 2017 the hiring opportunities will be very robust.
Internal promotions will also see a big bump in numbers too. In other
words – a perfect climate if you are a job hunter. Networking and
tapping into the hidden job market will be more important than ever.
Robin Ryan
Robin Ryan Career Counselor & Bestselling Author
LinkedIn: Robin Ryan
Robust Hiring

26. JOB SEARCH TRENDS
The most important trend for job seekers is to have “agile ingenuity” when
approaching today’s job market. You cannot stay rooted in anything you think
you know about job search, interviewing or resume writing.
This is a game played on an invisible playing field that requires you to be
resourceful, creative, and always on your toes. Expect to read and follow
application instructions more closely, deeply customize resumes and
communications, and move fluidly through a series of virtual, social media and
in-person interviews. There is no second place in a job search, so take steps
now to arm yourself to win.
Laura DeCarlo
Executive Director, Career Directors International
LinkedIn: Laura DeCarlo
Apply Agile Ingenuity

27. JOB SEARCH TRENDS
My biggest piece of candidate advice for 2017 is to make sure you’ve adapted to the changes that
have already taken place in the jobs market. Companies today aren’t posting as many jobs online
– but are filling more roles through direct approaches to candidates and through employee
referrals.
When I talk to executive candidates, it’s shocking to uncover how many haven’t done a thorough
job of writing a strong LinkedIn profile that’s keyword and skills optimized. Meaning they’ll never be
found by the Recruiters looking to fill the exact roles they aspire to securing. Similarly, it’s shocking
how many people aren’t proactively networking and building relationships in advance of needing
them. Just think how many opportunities you could be being referred into as an ideal candidate, if
only you’d done the work to foster relationships over the last years.
There are of course lots of new technologies that will continue to shake the jobs market up over the
coming year, but addressing these fundamentals I believe is the single biggest thing candidates
should be addressing in 2017.
Tony Restell
Founder, Social-Hire.com
Twitter: Tony Restell
Focus on Job Search Fundamentals

28. JOB SEARCH TRENDS
I believe 2017 will be a year of hope and wonderful new opportunities
for those searching. A new year, unemployment at its lowest in many
years, job seeker optimism is high and 69% of recruiters are reporting a
hiring increase with 86% saying no foreseeable layoffs. It’s going to be a
job seeker’s market (and choice) in 2017. **Stats from 2016 Jobvite
Surveys.
Jessica Hernandez
President/CEO, Great Resumes Fast
LinkedIn: Jessica H. Hernandez, Executive Resume Writer
Job Seekers Market

29. JOB SEARCH TRENDS
Job seekers must do the legwork to assess new trends in company research,
resume branding, and interviewing (via Job-Hunt.org, Glassdoor.com, LinkedIn,
US News & World Report, or other reputable resources). If you don’t conduct
your due diligence and go into the search or interview unprepared, your
competitors will blow you out of the water!
You’ll find, among other tips, that a touch of color helps showcase key skills on
your resume, it’s a good idea to ask interviewers to define their ideal candidate,
and your employer research should include annual reports, industry trends, and
/ or news from the firm’s website.
Laura Smith-Proulx
CEO, An Expert Resume
LinkedIn: Laura Smith-Proulx
Conduct Due Diligence

30. JOB SEARCH TRENDS
The most important, at least to my way of thinking, is clearly
lay out and articulate your unique value proposition. This
has been true for several years and yet the vast majority of
resumes I see utterly fail in this respect.
“So you’re a PM? Are you particularly adept at shepherding
your projects to an on-budget and on-schedule
completion?”
Ed Han
Twitter: @ed_han
Clear Unique Value Proposition

31. JOB SEARCH TRENDS
For job seekers, I don’t think 2017 is going to be too different. Recruiting continues to shift towards the
digital space, but before creating a new user profile on that fancy new job seeker website or
abandoning the advice of traditionalists, keep this in mind: the basics remain the same. Research and
prepare, seek internal and external guidance (mentorship.) Build out leadership skills through
experience and make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete. Continue to connect and engage with
recruiters, hiring managers, business contacts and colleagues in a professional setting via LinkedIn. In
2017, you can almost guarantee that part of the process will include a video interview.
Build out your leadership skills with experiences outside of the classroom. Volunteer. Join a group on
campus or in your community that provides you with an opportunity to work on something you’re
passionate about (like empowering people, giving back.)
Want to go an extra step? Take a new course via LinkedIn Learning or site like Coursera or Udemy to
learn a new skill or build on one of your already established strengths. Never stop learning!
Kirk Baumann
Founder, Campus to Career
Twitter: @kbaumann
Master Job Search Basics

32. ONLINE VISIBILITY TRENDS
 Clear and Appropriate Online Visibility
 Demonstrate Soft Skills Through Social Media
 Rise In Online Website Platforms
32

33. ONLINE VISIBILITY
Employers and recruiters relentlessly search to find qualified candidates and also to vet job applicants. So, in
2017, job seekers with clear and appropriate online visibility, demonstrating their professional qualifications,
will have their next jobs find them.
In 2017, the most important job search/career requirements and skills for job seekers will be:
a clear and coherent personal brand
personal online reputation management supporting that brand
personal SEO supporting that brand
Without those 3 essential elements, people will be invisible. But, this means that they must be MUCH more
careful about what they share, where they share, and how they share information, ideas, and opinions. What
they make visible will be judged and will impact their careers as well as their job searches.
LinkedIn is essential for most professionals, but I think that Facebook will grow in importance as more
employers leverage it to post their jobs. Unfortunately, Facebook is the network which is most personal and
also the least professional and trustworthy. Microsoft’s ownership of LinkedIn may generate some interesting
developments there, too, though.
Susan P. Joyce
Publisher and Author, Job-Hunt.org
LinkedIn: Susan Joyce
Clear and Appropriate Online Visibility

34. ONLINE VISIBILITY
Social media continues to play a big role in recruitment; LinkedIn’s U.S. Recruiting
Trends says 44% of employers believe “social professional networks” are top sources of
hire.
Job seekers should create detailed online profiles to attract and impress hiring
managers. Don’t underestimate how important it is to engage in online groups to extend
your network and connect with potential opportunities.
Jobs in technology will continue to be in high demand, but trends suggest employers
appreciate candidates who have strong “soft skills,” including problem solving, team
leadership and the ability to communicate effectively. Use social media tools to feature
and highlight these skills to distinguish yourself from others who may have a similar
background to you.
Miriam Salpeter
Job Search and Social Media Strategist, Keppie Careers
Twitter: @Keppie_Careers
Demonstrate Soft Skills Through Social Media

35. ONLINE VISIBILITY
The career industry is ripe for technology to begin to drive efficiencies and real
change in the job search/hiring process. As more people understand the need to
manage their online presence, they will begin to seek out the quickest and
easiest method to get their online house in order.
This awareness will cause a rise in the number of online website platforms
specifically designed to help people put their personal and career brands online.
These new platforms will provide users with a way to tell their career story like
never before and will finally begin to challenge the resume as the sole method
for conveying value during the job search process.
Ryan Rhoten
Owner, CareerBrand
Twitter: @RyanRhoten
Rise In Online Website Platforms

36. INTERVIEWING TRENDS
 New Forms of Candidate Evaluation
 Video Screening To Replace Phone
Screen
 Salary Transparency
36

37. INTERVIEWING TRENDS
Watch for employers to start using candidate evaluation techniques other than
interviews. While research has shown that assessment centers and behavior-
based interviews provide the best results, they’re expensive and time-
consuming for employers to use.
Thus, employers are looking for quicker, cheaper fixes and there’s a small
army of organizational psychologists and software developers trying to devise
fast, low-cost alternatives.
Many/most of these methods will fail the legal requirement that they predict job
performance. However, that won’t stop companies from offering them and
employers from using them.
Donna Svei
Avid Careerist
LinkedIn: Donna Svei
New Forms of Candidate Evaluation

38. INTREVIEWING TRENDS
Ace the Video Interview
1. Practice – ahead of time to get comfortable with this format
2. Test equipment – prior to interview to work out any kinks
3. Dress professionally
4. Remove distractions – other apps, phone and environment
5. Good nonverbals – Make eye contact, look at camera, not yourself, smile, use some hand
gestures
6. Conversational style – just like in person
7. Use notes – unlike in interview, you can use notes, but avoid looking at them too much
8. Take a second – nod when responding to questions from interviewer and wait a second
before answering to avoid talking over interviewer.
Margo Wickersham
Owner, Margo Wickersham Coaching MargoWickersham.com
Facebook: Margo Wickersham
Video Screening To Replace Phone Screen

39. INTERVIEWING TRENDS
In 2017, one of the biggest trends that will help job seekers is a continued
increase in transparency. In recent years, career websites have been releasing
more information that helps to give job seekers the upper hand when
interviewing, including company ranking, sample interview questions, and
average salary.
To learn if you are being paid fairly in your current job, check out the
new Glassdoor.com Know Your Worth tool. You’ll be asked to provide your
employer name, employer location, job title, number of years experience,
salary, education level, university, and major. Glassdoor will provide information
about your market value in your city.
Angela Copeland
Career Coach, Copeland Coaching
Twitter: @CopelandCoach
Salary Transparency

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