Where are the jobs? It’s June and many of us are keeping our fingers crossed for a turnaround in the job market. Alma, a woman I recently spoke with at an event, told me she’s sent over 40 resumes out with not one single job lead. She currently freelances but the assignment ends on June 30. Like Alma, many Latinas find themselves caught up in what seems like an eternal job search. I just came across the survey results from a study by Dice Holdings, Inc. -- a provider of specialized career web sites for professional communities --  that gives a glimpse into hiring trends among companies. Although things are still moving slowly a majority of surveyed companies don't foresee layoffs.

Table 1: Has the current economic environment caused you or your Clients to scale back hiring plans for the next six months?
Yes, substantially 15%

Yes, slightly 37%

No 43%

I'm not sure 5%

Table 2: When do you envision that your hiring or your clients' hiring will return to normal levels?    

Fourth quarter of 2008 16%

First half of 2009 18%

Second half of 2009 6%

Not sure - we'll have to wait and see how the 60% economy evolves

Table 3: How likely do you think layoffs are in the next six months at your organization, or if you are a recruiter at your clients' organizations?

Very likely 7%

Likely 13%

Not likely 64%

I don't know 16%

Table 4: If you or your clients have positions to fill, has the time to fill open positions changed relative to last year?
Yes, it has substantially lengthened 11%

Yes, it has slightly lengthened 30%

No 49%

Yes, it has slightly shortened 8%

Yes, it has substantially shortened 2%

Table 5: What best describes the reason for the time to fill a position lengthening?
There is no urgency to fill open positions 12%

Slight caution related to the economy 26%

Inability to find qualified professionals 59% to fill open positions

I don't know 3%

Table 6: What trend do you see in salaries for new hires?

They are significantly higher than last year 4%

They are slightly higher than last year 48%

They are the same as last year 45%

They are slightly less than last year 3%

They are significantly less than last year 0%

Table 7: Are you seeing an increase in the number of candidates applying for positions?

Yes, significantly 17%

Yes, but slightly 34%

No 49%