Most U.S. workers -- especially finance professionals -- are looking to 2005 optimistically, with 61 percent expecting higher salaries, according to a national Hudson Highland survey
This includes 18 percent who expect to earn significantly more. Also, the percentage who believe their job prospects and employment situations will improve next year (44 percent) outweighs the percentage of those who do not (33 percent), according to the company, which was started by a coterie of Arthur Andersen refugees.
Workers also anticipate improved employment prospects in 2005, with 42 percent indicating they are somewhat to very likely to look for a new job in the coming year. Only 22 percent rule out looking for another job next year. To enhance employment opportunities, one in four workers (25 percent) believes that developing new skills will play the most vital role, followed closely by 23 percent of workers who feel a higher educational degree would be most helpful.
"Looking ahead to next year, workers are more positive overall than at the same juncture last year, though optimism has cooled since a summer peak," said Jeff Anderson, senior vice president, Hudson Global Resources, North America. "Still, fewer are worried about losing their jobs and hiring has rebounded. As a result, we expect workers will be more willing to take risks; gone is the 'better safe than sorry' mentality that was keeping them in their current jobs."
2004 Hudson Employment Index Year-In-Review
In fact, the Hudson Accounting & Finance Employment Index posted the most positive annual average sector Index at 114.4. compare that to the Manufacturing Index, which posted the lowest 2004 average at 99.
Details at http://www.hudson-index.com/hudson/yearend.asp.
