Recruiting firms are in a unique position to match employers with staff, knowing the needs of the businesses and the skill sets of the job seekers. They’re well placed to understand the changing job market, and to direct job seekers to the fields where new jobs are being created and hiring is brisk. For developing areas like robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT), on-the-job training is provided for new staff, adding to their skill set. For thermoforming to cybersecurity, recruiting services are aware of trends in hiring and of the skills that are new needed in the new post-recession job market.

Increasing recruitment activity indicates an increase in jobs available
Increased recruitment is a sign of a growing job market. Search and placement services have been increasing, reaching $13.2 billion in 2013. Executive searches carried out by recruiting agencies have also been increasing. As a result, recruiting agencies have been hiring staff steadily. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of September 2014, executive search agencies employed 41,400 people, up from the recession low of 26,100 workers in late 2009.

Matching jobs available to skill sets
Paradoxically, there’s a shortage of skilled workers for the jobs that are available, at the same time that there are large numbers of qualified people looking for jobs. The mismatch between existing skill sets and those that are needed in the new job market results in a shortage of skilled candidates. For fields like thermoforming, robotics and the Internet of things, job training can be provided. The problem can be addressed by providing on-the-job training for new hires, provided both employers and workers are willing to put on the extra effort.
Some industries that are hiring currently include:

Packaging
Two of the most important sectors of the packaging industry are drug packaging and flexible packaging. The drug packaging industry is worth $66 billion a year, and flexible package comes in second with about 18% of the $145 billion U.S. packaging market. Food accounts for the largest market for the flexible packaging industry. Thermoforming is used to produce the plastic containers for food packaging.

Electronic security products and services
This is another rapidly growing industry. Not only do the new electronic security products and services provide high tech security, businesses with alarm systems are much less likely to be burgled. Simply put, just installing a security system or guards deters burglars. This is why business spending on electronic security products and services is growing at a rate of around 4.3% per year.

Robotics
Robotics, like security, is being transformed by the rapid development of new technology. Robots are used as runners in hotels and restaurants, and robots with emotions have even been playing a role as comforters in hospitals. This is in addition to their role in manufacturing and repairs. In just the first part of 2015, North American robotics companies supplied a record number of robots. The 14,232 robots were valued at $840 million.

Pharmacies
The number of vacancies for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will continue to grow. As of 2014, there were 290,780 pharmacists and 368,760 pharmacy technicians in the U.S.

Veterans bring unique skills to the job
Knowing the skills that employers value gives recruiting agencies the opportunities to help veterans connect with jobs. Skills such as self-discipline, teamwork, attention to detail, respect and leadership, that veterans bring to civilian jobs, are much prized by employers. In order to make it easier to hire veterans, 36 states have waived driving tests for veterans who were listed as drivers during their military service.

Increased recruiting activity is an indication that there are more jobs available. The gap between existing skills and those required for the new jobs can be bridged through on-the-job training. In areas such as thermoforming, robotics and pharmacies, work available will continue to expand.