New Year, New Job

According to the jobs report out on Friday, 155,000 new jobs were created last month. It may not be as great as expected, but that isn't stopping people from looking for new jobs in the coming year.

A new survey shows one in three employees will be on the job search in the coming year. 

In the Glassdoor survey of more than 2,000 people, 18 percent will be starting their job search in the first three months of 2013. And if the phones at one local employment agency are any indication, it's going to be a busy year. 

"We've seen a tremendous surge in individuals looking for jobs this week," Employee specialist Roxie Loftesness said.

Loftesness says once the fiscal cliff was resolved, both employees and employers began looking toward the coming year.

"We definitely feel that the businesses in our market are ready to go, but they're going to do it with a very thoughtful manner and not over-grow.  But I do think the opportunities are going to be there for qualified candidates," Loftesness said.

J.D. Burnett is one of those employees searching for another job.  He currently works in housekeeping for a hospital. 

"I thought maybe I'll try to upgrade," Burnett said.

Burnett says he's confident he'll find with he's looking for.

"No problem, I know in South Dakota there's always if a person is willing to work, there's plenty of work if you're willing to work," Burnett said.

When it comes to reasons for making a job switch, money comes out on top according to the job search survey. Seventy-three percent ranked salary as their first priority. Fifty-five percent say location is most important and 30 percent care most about advancing their career. 

"But also they look at the company, what is my opportunity for growth in the company?  And a lot of people look to their own company to see what else can I do here," Loftesness said.

And always remember, the grass isn't always greener at the next company.

"Make it a planned search. Know what you're missing, what you're looking for in the next company and then as you research those companies try to find out if they have that before you step from a good job into what you thought was a better job and you get there and it's not giving you the same things," Loftesness said.

While health care and technology remain strong; there is growth in other employment sectors in KELOLAND that indicate a vital economy, like human resources, sales reps and construction.