Chicago CFOs Expect Increased Hiring In Next Six Months

Survey Finds 92 Percent of Chicago Companies Confident About Growth

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Sep 08, 2015, 08:10 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago executives expect professional-level hiring to pick up in the next six months, according to the just-released Chicago Professional Employment Forecast from Robert Half. Seventeen percent of local chief financial officers (CFOs) anticipate their company will create new jobs, up six points from the previous six-month period. Another 70 percent plan to hire for open roles.

CFOs were asked, "What are your company's hiring plans for full-time, professional-level employees in the next six months?" Their responses:

87% of Chicago executives expect to hire in the next six months.

	Sept. 2015 – Feb. 2016	March – Aug. 2015*
Expanding – adding new positions	17%	11%
Maintaining – only filling vacated positions	70%	76%
Freezing – not filling vacated positions or creating new ones	10%	11%
Reducing – eliminating positions	3%	2%
Don't know/no answer	0%	1%
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

View an infographic featuring the survey results.

"The war for talent is in full force in Chicago, as evidenced by a growing number of employers who've consolidated their hiring process and are placing additional emphasis on retaining top talent," said Marilyn Bird, district president for Robert Half in Chicago. "On the financial side, we're seeing high demand for staff accountants, financial analysts and internal auditors. Projects such as audit planning and developing annual plans are driving hiring, especially within the real estate, healthcare and manufacturing sectors."

Recruiting Challenges
Organizations looking to add staff may face difficulties, Robert Half's research shows. Fifty-three percent of Chicago CFOs surveyed said it's somewhat or very challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today.

Business Confidence
According to the Professional Employment Forecast, Chicago CFOs are optimistic about their company's growth. Ninety-two percent of executives reported being somewhat or very confident in their company's prospects for growth in the next six months.

Compensation Upgrades
To address staffing challenges, some firms are strengthening the salary and benefits they offer. Thirty-one percent of Chicago CFOs surveyed said they have modified their company's compensation plan in the past 12 months as a way to enhance recruiting and retention efforts.

About the Professional Employment Forecast
The Professional Employment Forecast was developed by Robert Half, the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm, and conducted by an independent research firm. The local results reflect a two-period rolling average based on interviews with 200 CFOs from a stratified random sample of companies in the Chicago area with 20 or more employees. Executives were asked about their hiring and business outlook, including plans to add professional-level employees in areas such as accounting, human resources, administrative, legal, marketing and information technology.

About Robert Half
Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. The Menlo Park, Calif.-based company has more than 340 staffing locations worldwide and offers online job search and management tools at roberthalf.com. For career and management advice, follow our blog at roberthalf.com/chicago/blog.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150904/263944-INFO

SOURCE Robert Half