This year, like  2009, our industry will be greatly affected by something none of us have any real control over – the economy.  But 2010 looks promising. All the major indices are showing signs of progress.

According to the ANZ’s job series jobs advertised on print grew by 11.6% during December. Online job ads also grew by 5.6%.  Similarly, the DEEWR vacancy Index also showed signs of consistent recovery. The chart below traced the uptick in jobs advertised on print media across the nation. Print advertising has increased steadily since June 09. Curiously, growth in online job ads aren’t as impressive. Still, it is good to welcome the new year with strong signs of recovery.

Other indices to keep track includes:

• National unemployment rate currently stands at 5.7% (The ABS will release the latest data today).
• SEEK Index
• Olivier Job Index

Once the other indices are released in the coming days, we will have a clearer picture of the economy. Obviously, growth will vary across different industries, and regional differences will be acute (ACT boast a 3.7% unemployment rate).  Overall, job advertisement numbers paint a positive picture of the future.  Besides, GDP is estimated to grow at 3.7%.

Of course, these are hard times. The RBA has slashed interest rate to 3.00% (50 year low) and is on the verge of officially declaring recession in Australia.

Employers confidence has taken a beating. Hudson’s latest report revealed only 18.6% of employers intend to hire new staff, while a corresponding 17.8% will decrease headcount, resulting in a net effect of 0.8%. A similar report by Manpower also found employment outlook to be grim with only 17% of employers intending to increase headcount while 16% forecast a decrease.

If we take a closer look, it’s not all bad news. Some sectors like utilities, healthcare and education are maintaining confidence (see chart).  Regionally, employers in states like ACT and QLD are still hiring as confidence in VIC and NSW dipped.

Numbers look garish when interpreted in national averages. Generalising and lumping all regional economies under one national umbrella does not paint an accurate picture of the realities at the local level. Just as national unemployment rate of 5.2% doesn’t means much at the local level, employers sentiments varies widely.

Sure times aren’t exactly rosy, but parroting national data only adds to the collective panic, and distracts everyone from the important task of rebuilding the economy.

Not all doom and gloom
It’s misleading to talk in national terms, or blindly generalise the state of the job market (the media loves bad stories). Some states are still dealing with 3% and below unemployment rates. Some companies are struggling to find staff. Demand and supply of talent is a local issue, and in most cases national data does not always accurately represent the reality at the local level. By the way, national unemployment rate currently stands at 4.5%, hardly the nightmarish picture often painted by mainstream media.

Online classifieds grows
Online ads continues to grow. The market grew by 22% in Q4 2008 compared to last year, and is tipped to reach $2 Billion in 2009. PWC/IAB Online Advertising Report available here (pdf). These are dark days for print media, everywhere.

Social networking tactic
The fine art of navigating Facebook becomes an essential skill in the bold new world of social networking. Here’s tips on how to friend mom, dad and the boss safely on Facebook.

Tom Peters on culture
I am a big fan of Tom’s bold and unconventional take on almost all aspects of business. Below, he argues ‘brand is the talent’, that customers comes second, internal staff and company culture comes first (a similar theme echoed by CEO of Zappos in this VIDEO)

Tom Peters on Organizational Excellence from Tom Peters on Vimeo.