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By Mel Duvall

It has been a tough year for both companies and their staff in most fields, but a new survey finds a majority of employers are now ready to begin making full-time hires. Technology jobs are expected to be among those leading the way.

The survey, conducted by hiring firm Robert Half International and job Web site CareerBuilder, found that 53 percent of employers expect to add full-time staffers over the next 12 months, while 40 percent will hire contract, temporary or projection management professionals; 39 percent will add part-time help. Technology, customer service and sales positions were cited as the top three areas in which employers expect to add jobs as the economy rebounds.

"Companies already are identifying the key skill sets they will need in new hires to take advantage of the opportunities presented by improving economic conditions," Robert Half chief executive Max Messmer said in a statement. "Firms that cut staffing levels too deeply may need to do significant rebuilding once the recovery takes hold."

Despite high unemployment rates across the country and an expanded pool of talent, the survey found that employers still report difficulty in locating skilled professionals for some open positions. Employers said that, on average, 44 percent of resumes they receive are from unqualified candidates. In order to attract the qualified employees they need, employers said they are open to paying more -- a positive change from six months ago. Sixty-one percent of managers said their companies are willing to negotiate higher compensation for qualified candidates.

"As businesses look to the future, they also have to consider how tough decisions made during the financial crisis have impacted job satisfaction and loyalty of their current staff members," added Matt Ferguson, chief executive of CareerBuilder. "Fifty-five percent of workers plan to make a career change, seek out new employers or go back to school once the economic recovery is underway."

From employees' perspective, 49 percent of workers polled said that after the economy improves, increasing their pay will be the most effective way to keep them on board. In fact, employers should note that 28 percent said they plan to ask for a raise.

The survey polled more than 500 employers and 500 employees between April 30 and May 31.

Comments (1)

	1. 08-26-2009 15:24
	It’s also encouraging to note that an IBM survey from north of the border indicates that hiring in the IT industry is expected to pick up in the next three months. According the survey, jointly produced by IBM and IT consultancy Sapphire Canada, 90% of businesses expect to maintain or increase the size of their IT staff in the coming quarter. The survey polled 300 Canadian CIOs and IT decision makers between June 22 and July 6. Registered

Mel Duvall

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