Healthcare hiring outlook for 2018
Published on:
Feb 5, 2018
Category:
As one year ends and another begins, many professionals will start to plan for the future of their careers. In 2018, physicians can expect to find a favorable job market. Here's why:
Physician job seekers are well positioned
Anyone who lived through the 2008 recession and subsequent slump in the job market has likely developed a healthy skepticism about the hiring process. For years, it was difficult for anyone to find a job, though specialized industries such as healthcare were slightly more protected than others.
In any case, fear should subside in 2018 as job seekers are in the best position they've had in recent memory. According to Staffing Industry Analysts, hiring in the U.S. is outpacing most other developed countries. In fact, 21 percent of U.S. businesses plan to expand their work forces in the coming year. The source reported that all regions of the U.S. have positive hiring plans for Q1 2018.
"Physician hiring could increase by 15% between 2016 and 2026."
That's the hiring industry as a whole. Physicians and surgeons are even better positioned for 2018. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, hiring among this group is expected to outpace the average. In fact, the number of employed physicians is expected to increase by 15 percent between 2016 and 2026.
There's one more factor that could not only drive up the demand for physicians and other medical professionals, but also increase wages: a shortage of educated professionals. A recent Merritt Hawkins report predicted an impending physician shortage. The report's authors cited an aging baby boomer population and impending retirement wave among older physicians as the top factors driving the shortage. According to the report, 43 percent of physicians are over age 55, which means that a significant number of professionals are nearing retirement.
That could be good news for recent graduates looking for positions in highly competitive job markets.
How to jumpstart your job search in 2018
If you're ready to jump start your job search and find the physician job of your dreams, the time for waiting is over. Job seekers should utilize online tools like specialized job boards as well as traditional tools like medical print journals to find unique opportunities. Generic job boards often bury specific industries, making it harder to find relevant positions. Healthcare job boards can also be a great way to meet recruiters that focus on your professional specialty.
Visit myHealthTalent.com today to set up job alerts so you never miss out on an opportunity. Your ideal job could be just a click away. In 2018, physicians can expect to find a favorable job market.