They had predicted an increase in hiring by 33.6 percent for 2000-2001, but now western employers are saying they'll only increase hiring by 21.6 percent. It's split right now the middle. Our Job Outlook 2001 update survey released in March that 47.5 percent of employers don't anticipate any changes in their hiring needs relative to what they predicted last fall. On the other hand, 45.8 percent have decreased their hiring expectations from what they predicted last fall. Only 6.5 percent of employers believe they'll need to hire more help than they predicted last fall.
Anecdotal information mirrors the split.
In tracking a handful of consulting firms, Luckenbaugh found six firms were cutting back while five said they were making no change in hiring or were increasing hiring. Survey information reveals that the competition for college grads is still quite strong. On the other hand, Luckenbaugh has received a couple of phone calls from colleges where students have had job offers rescinded. There's a definite change in recruiting. Our regular spring career fair had about half the number of employers as last year, about 62 this year as compared with about 105 last year.