It’s taking longer to find a job, according to John A. Challenger, CEO of an outplacement firm.
The 3.6-month median length of a job search last quarter was almost a month longer than it took the quarter prior.
More job candidates are now willing to switch industries and to relocate for jobs. Given that candidates are being more flexible but are still having trouble pinning down jobs, Challenger feels that “the economy may be hitting a natural slowdown.”
Here’s a breakdown of job-search lengths and other data, from Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
|
2nd q 2005 |
3rd q 2005 |
4th q 2005 |
? 1st q 2006 ? |
? 2nd q 2006 ? | |
|
Median length of job search, all clients, in months | 3.1 | 3.6 | 3.1 | 2.7 | 3.6 |
| Median length, candidates 50 and older | 3.9 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 2.9 | 3.9 |
| Median tenure at former job, in years | 7.5 | 7.5 | 9 | 7.5 | 7.3 |
| % who got equal or better jobs | 89 | 89 | 91 | 92 | 93 |
| % relocating | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 18 |
| % changing industries | 46 | 44 | 41 | 39 | 46 |