Can you name the hardest jobs to fill?

My favorite annual survey is out. Each year Manpower puts out the top 10 hardest jobs to fill. No surprises this year. As a job board owner who has his pulse on the job market, I concur with their findings. -CR

MILWAUKEE, April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Engineers, machinists and
skilled trade workers are among the nation's most challenging positions to
fill, according to survey findings released by Manpower Inc.

"From our research it is clear that across the country employers are
experiencing a mismatch between the talent their businesses need and the
skills and abilities potential employees possess," said Jonas Prising,
President of Manpower North America.

The 10 Hardest Jobs to Fill, as reported by U.S. employers for 2008, are:

1. Engineers
2. Machinists/Machine Operators (10)*
3. Skilled Trades
4. Technicians (4)
5. Sales Representatives (1)
6. Accounting & Finance Staff (8)
7. Mechanics (3)
8. Laborers (9)
9. IT Staff
10. Production Operators

* Rank in 2007 Top 10 Hardest Jobs to Fill

For the third consecutive year, sales representatives, technicians,
accountants/finance staff and machinists remain on the Hardest to Fill
list, confirming that job seekers with specific skill sets are still in
demand. Second on the list in 2006, engineers found themselves in the
number one position this year, after dropping off completely in 2007.
Employers are also finding it difficult to fill openings for skilled trades
people, IT staff and production operators, all new to the 2008 list.

To succeed in the contemporary world of work, employers must not only
encourage current employees to re-skill and up-skill to ensure they meet
workload demands, but also refine their recruitment and retention
strategies for a new generation of workers.

"While job categories have shifted on the list, it is clear all
companies must have a plan for transitioning from baby boomers to younger
generations," said Melanie Holmes, Vice President, World of Work Solutions
for Manpower North America. "It is essential for companies to find a
balance where they are attracting and retaining aging workers while still
developing innovative recruiting programs targeting young professionals,
especially those interested in technical and trade careers."

Current trends in hiring also point toward employers focusing on more
than simply finding an individual who has the role-specific competencies
required to fill the opening. "Companies want employees who have the soft
skills, work ethic and culture traits that fit their company," Holmes said.
"Hiring managers recognize the high cost of hiring the wrong individual for
their organization so they are taking more time to find the right fit, even
for these hard to fill positions."

The U.S. findings are part of a Manpower global study in which more
than 42,500 employers across 32 countries and territories were surveyed in
late January 2008. Skilled manual trades, sales representatives and
technicians are the hardest jobs to fill this year. Manpower surveyed 2,000
U.S. employers in the third annual survey to determine which positions
employers are having difficulty filling this year.

The survey announcement coincides with the publication of the Manpower
White Paper, Confronting the Talent Crunch: 2008, updated since its
original publications in 2006 and 2007. The white paper highlights talent
issues around the world and what businesses, government and individuals
should be doing to adapt their human resource strategies.