A large company is much more likely to have openings than smaller ones due to worker turnover because of retirements and persons leaving for other jobs. A small company is less likely to have job openings at any given time. However, as a group small companies make up almost 80 percent of all companies in the Milwaukee area and have over a third of job openings. These companies should be seen as an important source of employment. New companies are always starting up, and in many cases these companies are also hiring new workers.
Some businesses have seasonal work .
For example, construction work slows down in the winter months. Department stores hire more workers when shopping increases over the year-end holidays. Fast food restaurants often hire more students during the summer. Students in UWM engineering courses learn to use high-tech equipment to test products. Companies will need more engineers in order to remain competitive, to use new technologies, and to replace engineers who retire or move into management or sales jobs.