Monday Market Share: Hiring in Lighting

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Are you struggling to attract and retain top talent in the lighting industry? In this month’s “Monday Market Share” series, we’re shining a light on hiring in lighting amongst today's competitive market. We sat down with Melissa Coleman, our expert recruiter in the Lighting industry, to discuss key transformations and opportunities shaping this dynamic field. Melissa offers her insights into current hiring trends, the future of work, and the challenges of recruiting in lighting. Her expertise provides a practical guide for navigating the complexities of talent acquisition in an industry being transformed by technology and economic shifts.

In this interview, Melissa addresses these pivotal questions about the current state of hiring in the lighting sector:

  • How would you describe the current state of the job market for the Lighting industry?
  • How do you see the future of work evolving within the Lighting sector?
  • What are some of the biggest challenges companies face when trying to hire top talent in the Lighting industry?

Read on for Melissa’s insightful responses or watch the detailed discussion in the video below!

Current State of Hiring in Lighting

How would you describe the current state of the job market for the Lighting industry?

“From the jobs perspective, the industry continues to do extremely well. You can look at the job boards and see that there are a lot of open positions, and on the plus side, salaries are on the increase. As an industry, we're adding more technology into our products, and that's adding new jobs and bringing new people into the lighting industry.

There also continues to be mergers and acquisitions, and this can be exciting and create new opportunities for people as well. Getting the right person in the right position is still a really big challenge for our companies right now. I want to be respectful too, there are people out there who are nervous and having a hard time finding their next step. Whether it's due to their location, experience, or other factors. Overall, there are still more jobs than qualified people to fill them.”  - Melissa Coleman

"The job market in the Lighting industry is particularly robust at the moment," Melissa reports. She notes the abundance of open positions and the rising salary levels as indicators of a healthy market. "Hiring in lighting is on the upswing, largely driven by the integration of advanced technologies into lighting products. This not only improves the offerings but also opens up new and exciting job opportunities." Despite these positive developments, Melissa acknowledges the challenges: "With the ongoing mergers and acquisitions, finding the right match between talent and roles is becoming more complex. There's an element of uncertainty, particularly for those worried about geographical and experiential limitations."

The Future of Work in the Lighting Industry

How do you see the future of work evolving within the Lighting sector?

“The economy and construction definitely affect the industry. Inflation has a huge impact on the cost of projects, so there's a lot going on in the world right now that's affecting us. We're also in an election year, and keep in mind, traditionally, elections give companies reason to kind of pause a little bit to see how the elections play out. 

From a hiring perspective, last year was a very strong year, and we're going strong in the first quarter this year. We're geared up to have another really good year. There are layoffs. But the flip side of that is many times this will give companies a chance to hire people that they may not have generally had access to. 

Hybrid and remote opportunities are huge. I can't stress that enough. I get calls every day from candidates at every level of an organization. They love their job. They love the company. But they want to see what is out there that's remote.” - Melissa Coleman

Melissa expresses optimism about the future of hiring in lighting, although she cautions that external factors such as inflation and political events can cause temporary hesitations in hiring. "The trajectory for hiring in lighting remains positive, but we must stay aware of the external pressures that could influence the market," she explains. Remote and hybrid work models are becoming increasingly important, reshaping recruitment strategies and job seeker expectations. "Demand for flexible work options is a major draw for candidates across all levels, significantly affecting hiring strategies in the lighting industry," Melissa adds.

Challenges in Hiring Top Talent in Lighting

What are some of the biggest challenges companies face when trying to hire top talent in the Lighting industry?

“Currently both companies and candidates are being extremely selective right now. Compensation in the industry has traditionally been below market, just being real here. With the war for talent— haven't heard that in a long time, but that's still out there— it's bringing more technology people into the industry. 

And with that, we've seen an increase in salaries. From a company perspective, have flexibility to make sure that your compensation is going to be aligned with where the current market conditions are. And market conditions are constantly changing, they're different right now than they were 6 months ago. People are looking at compensation to help them justify making a move. This is an everyday struggle. People are looking for their next step. They're in their job. They're doing a good job. They're happy, but they're looking for that next step, and an easy way for them to validate that is an increase in pay that comes with it, especially for them to be able to justify them making that move. 

From a company perspective, have a good pitch. Know what you bring to the market. Why should people come work for you? They're doing a good job. They're happy where they are. Why should they come work for you? Talk about your culture. How are you going to help them, help them, help their career? Help them help their life. Bottom line. 

It's still a candidate driven market. We can talk about that all day, but that's the facts. Most candidates are going to have a competing offer. They're not just looking at one role. Companies with great benefits, added perks, and flexibility with work schedules are going to have the first pick of those candidates. Flexibility with work schedules is an easy way to be competitive without costing the company more money.” 

Melissa emphasizes that competitive compensation is crucial for attracting top talent in the lighting industry. "Traditionally, the industry hasn't always matched market rates, but we're observing a shift as more companies recognize the need to offer competitive packages to attract the right candidates," she explains. For Melissa, it’s not just about compensation, the ability of a company to articulate its value to potential employees is critical. "Companies need to present compelling reasons for candidates to join them. They need to highlight their culture, the career progression they offer, and how they can enhance an employee's life. Flexibility in work schedules and additional perks also make a company more appealing in the competitive market of hiring in lighting."

Check out the Top 5 Hiring Trends for 2024

Conclusion

Navigating the complexities of hiring in lighting demands a deep understanding of market trends, candidate expectations, and the broader economic environment. With Melissa Coleman’s expert guidance, Blue Signal is not just equipped but also excited to help companies and professionals make informed decisions that propel them toward their strategic goals in the lighting industry. As the sector continues to evolve, staying adaptive and responsive to these changes will be key to success.

Visit our Lighting Recruiting Practice

About Melissa Coleman: Recruiting Expert for Hiring in Lighting

Meet Sr. Recruiting Manager, Melissa Coleman. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field of hiring in lighting. Melissa’s deep industry insights and commitment to excellence in recruitment make her an invaluable resource for both companies looking to hire and professionals seeking new opportunities in the Lighting industry. If you're ready to explore new opportunities or seeking top talent in lighting, Melissa is here to guide you every step of the way. Connect with Melissa today and start shaping your future in lighting with the best!

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Monday Market Share – Lighting Recruitment

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Blue Signal is excited to announce our new series, Monday Market Share. Each month, the Monday Market Share will provide insights into a specific recruiting industry by interviewing one of our tenured recruiters. This month we are featuring lighting recruitment, featuring Sr. Recruiting Manager Melissa Coleman.

Melissa uses her expertise in lighting recruitment to answer the following questions:

  • What are the top 3 positions in high demand in lighting recruitment?
  • What are qualified candidates commonly looking for to make the next move in their career?
  • If you could give one piece of lighting recruitment advice for hiring managers, what would it be?

 

Read on to hear her responses or click on the video below!

What are the top 3 positions in high demand in lighting recruitment?

“This year, we're seeing an uptick in sales roles in the lighting industry, much more than we did in the last few years. As we know, engineering has stayed in demand with more technology involved in lighting. We're certainly seeing more electrical engineering and software engineering roles. And then thirdly, we're seeing operations support roles continue to be in big demand, such as quotations and project management.”

 

What are qualified candidates commonly looking for to make the next move in their career?

“Money definitely has to be there. It's not necessarily the most important, but it has to be there, and we’ve certainly seen increases in salaries over the last few years. Second thing is work life balance – candidates want flexible work schedules, remote opportunities, and paid vacation.”

 

If you could give one piece of lighting recruitment advice for hiring managers, what would it be?

“Even though we hear a lot about a recession, the unemployment rate is at a 50-year low. Candidates have multiple offers to choose from and they need your help as the company, as the hiring manager, to see how your opportunity will make their life better. Within lighting, we're still in the war for talent. I commonly hear from candidates that they like where they are, but they think they should be making more. So they're open to hearing about opportunities and they want the opportunity to work remotely.”

 

In Conclusion

The lighting industry plays an intricate role in every market sector – from LEDs to Smart Lighting. As a result, the global lighting industry is projected to exceed $93.93 billion in 2023. With such expansive growth, it’s crucial to have a partner in lighting recruitment. For more insights into the lighting hiring market, reach out to Melissa Coleman. And stay tuned for our next Monday Market Share!

 

About Melissa Coleman

With 15 years of experience, Melissa has developed a second nature understanding of clients' hiring needs, particularly in the areas of lighting, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and sales in IoT and AI. Her unique ability to evaluate the chemistry and motivation of both parties enables her to make lasting placements that benefit everyone involved. In addition to her extensive experience, Melissa holds the CSAM designation (Certified Senior Account Manager), which is recognized worldwide as a mark of excellence in executive recruitment. CSAM holders are ranked consistently at the top of their profession, and Melissa is committed to pursuing continuous professional development to exceed both client and candidate expectations.

Partner with us for your next hire.

Set up a free consultation with a recruiting manager. Tell us about your hiring need.

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Illuminating the Right Talent: The Future of the Lighting Industry

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The initial boom of the lighting industry began with fluorescent lighting in the 1930s and 40s. Since then, the lighting industry has expanded and transitioned into a much higher technical and innovative field. LEDs dominated the lighting industry in 2020, sweeping 61% of the global lighting market. According to Mordor Intelligence, the LED lighting market was valued at $75.81 billion last year and is projected to grow to $160.3 billion by 2026.

Seasoned by 80+ years of evolvement, the lighting industry continues to innovate and expand market reach across almost every industry you can name. Lighting is in everything, everywhere, and affects everyone in all aspects of our daily routines. As we’ve come to rely on and expect this advanced technology, it’s often easier to overlook this market as one of the driving forces of innovation. One of the key advancements we’re seeing in the lighting industry is its entrance into the digital world. The lighting industry is stepping into the spotlight across the technology industry. Key companies and manufacturers are taking advantage of the use of lighting; digitally, wirelessly, and sustainably. The lighting industry as a whole is moving beyond its traditional purpose of illumination and adding value to tangible aspects of our, technologically advanced, new world.

Future Tech in the Lighting Industry

Technology that will Shape the Future:

Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR)

In the near term, the global AR/VR market is expected to grow by $125 billion in the period from 2020‒2024, according to research firm Technavio. As our digital world continues to advance into further capabilities of augmented and virtual realities, the lighting industry will evolve simultaneously. Beyond video gaming and entertainment use cases, virtual reality (VR) is on track to be utilized across a wide range of industries – vastly impacting the way we do business. For example, a lighting designer could sit down with a potential client and physically show how various lighting options would look like at a job site through augmented reality.

This same concept would be transferable across all industries and increase efficiency – leading to less waste, less downtime, and less confusion when delivering a product or service. To advance to this space, technology will need to continue to advance within the lighting industry. Innovations such as liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), digital light processing (DLP), and liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCoS) lighting have built a strong foundation but individually lack in certain areas. The jury is still out on which innovative solution is to come, but the advancement is inevitable.

Machine Learning (ML)

As we venture into the possibilities of creating fully virtual worlds, lighting technologies are bound to play a major role in the way we create a life-like experience using imagery. But before that can come to fruition, data collection and machine learning (ML) will set the stage. The lighting industry will rely on this technology to further advance products through the collection of learned data and routines. The data collected by an all-digital lighting infrastructure is essential for diagnostics and root-cause analysis. The ability to detect and minimize premature wear out or system failures becomes essential when implementing lighting technology into critical devices – such as those in the healthcare industry. Further, the ability to digitally learn patterns and routines within homes and businesses will increase sustainability and cost-saving features by conserving energy during downtime.

Internet of Things (IoT)

In today’s day and age, we rely on the internet to be connected in most of our devices and throughout our daily routines. By no surprise, the Internet of Things (IoT) industry is booming with no sign of slowing down. This has made it a key player in the advancement in the lighting industry. Since lighting is used all around us, IoT enabled lighting advances the development of connected systems. This collaboration of two industries is further enabling smart buildings and devices we use in offices, businesses, and homes. Implementing IoT enabled LED lighting in every room of a building helps create smarter buildings and cities, enabling countless capabilities.

A particular market that is on the rise in the lighting industry is human-centric lighting (HCL). HCL is defined as light that mimics natural daylight throughout the hours of a day that in turn allows our bodies to function in their most natural and effective state. Human-centric lighting is among the key markets that are thought to be most effectively implemented with IoT compatible lighting. Further, we are seeing IoT compatible LED lighting as the powerhouse behind systems that innovate air conditioning and heating, power grid management, and even next-gen wireless communications.

Li-Fi

With the explosive advancements in 5G technology, Li-Fi is has become a key player in the cellular and internet space. As 5G connection ramps up and slowly becomes available, Li-Fi has been able to fill a gap in how efficiently we’re able to access information. Essentially, Li-Fi is the upgraded version of Wi-Fi internet connectivity using light rather than radio waves to transfer connection. With the functionality to transfer data at speeds up to one hundred times faster, it has opened up the unlimited capabilities the lighting industry has to offer. For example, having Li-Fi integrated into LED lighting would create an alternate path for internet connectivity in high traffic and functioning spaces such as commercial buildings such as airports and offices. By being able to transmit at multiple gigabits, being more reliable, virtually interference free, and uniquely more secure than radio technology such as Wi-Fi or cellular, Li-Fi is the key to a connected community.

Lighting Controls

The advancement of IoT and Li-Fi technology has enabled the lighting industry to develop innovated lighting controls. These controls allow for ease of use and functionality within lighting products. With smart lighting as the clear future of the lighting industry and products, these controls have become a vital piece in the inevitable adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) and other advancing technology. From these advancements, sensors and lighting automation have seen an influx in demand. By using integrated sensors and controls, no central control hardware or room-based sensors need to be wired. This allows for a faster installation and increased accessibility. It has now become simple for users to adjust settings, automate schedules, and utilize their lighting products from virtually anywhere by connecting through portable applications – no cables or wires required. On a larger scale, this capability allows for the collection of important information about the operation of structures or systems such as power grids and emergency generators. Allowing us to make more informed decisions and ensures safety precautions are in place and running smoothly at all times.

The Future of Hiring in the Lighting Industry:

As these technologies linked to the lighting industry continue to advance, what does this mean in terms of the industry’s job market? For clients, candidates, and recruiters alike it means honing in on key skill sets and niches that stand out. One of the top skills impacting the lighting industry involves controls implementation. This certain integration with other technologies is not an intuitive process and requires specific education that is not simply taught on the job. In today’s job market, electrical contractors can differentiate themselves by their ability as system integrators. In turn, recruiters can highlight these candidates and hiring managers can start their search for these candidates while the supply is still available. A working knowledge of the various protocols and best practices for integration will be critical for the foreseeable future.

Li-Fi is another key market that should be narrowed in on when sifting through candidate’s skills and knowledge. This new technology has momentum, products are available, and the limitations of 5G in interior spaces will further accelerate the value of Li-Fi in the marketplace. Electrical engineers that understand the implementation of data-flow solutions through Li-Fi-enabled fixtures will be vastly sought after in the lighting industry.

Lastly, COVID-19 has brought on an increased need for advanced technology within the healthcare industry. Niche market segments like ultraviolet disinfection products have increased in demand. Ultraviolet light has been used to sterilize and disinfect medical equipment for quite some time but lacked innovation as of recently. The global impact of the pandemic triggered researchers across the globe to develop an ultraviolet LED solution to disinfect and sterilize hospital beds, floors, and surfaces more thoroughly than ever before. This has become critical technology and with its new advancement, the lighting industry is predicted to build upon these innovations and further implement them across industries.

As we can see, lighting plays an integral role in essentially every market sector. Coupled with recent innovation in technology, the capabilities are endless. With the overall theme of emerging tech moving toward all-digital infrastructures, every new innovation in the lighting industry leads to a golden opportunity to lay the foundation for advancement. The global lighting industry is expected to grow to $163 billion by 2027, which has proven itself not to be a market to overlook. When navigating this exciting time in a growing sector, utilize the expertise of Blue Signal’s recruiters who are seasoned with over 15 years of experience hiring within the lighting industry. We are a trusted source with a firm understanding of what it takes to find qualified candidates – faster than the speed of light. Reach out to one of our specialized recruiters today and start illuminating the way to your perfect hire or dream job.