Chicago CFOs Reveal Hiring Plans For Next Six Months
Survey Finds 92 Percent of Chicago Companies Confident About Business Growth
Survey Finds 92 Percent of Chicago Companies Confident About Business Growth
CHICAGO, March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago executives expect professional-level hiring to increase in the next six months, according to the just-released Chicago Professional Employment Forecast from Robert Half. Eighteen percent of local chief financial officers (CFOs) anticipate their company will create new jobs, up one point from the previous six-month period. Another 66 percent plan to hire only 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:
| March – Aug. 2016 |
Sept. 2015 – Feb. 2016 |
|
| Expanding – adding new positions |
18% |
17% |
| Maintaining – only filling vacated positions |
66% |
70% |
| Freezing – not filling vacated positions or creating new ones |
13% |
10% |
| Reducing – eliminating positions |
3% |
3% |
| Don't know/no answer |
0% |
0% |
View an infographic featuring the survey results.
"With the current demand for talented professionals, many Chicago employers are accelerating the hiring process and finding it's more critical than ever to provide competitive compensation," said Marilyn Bird, district president for Robert Half in Chicago. "We're seeing more same-day offers, increased salary ranges and, in some cases, higher market offers to ensure retention. Much of the hiring for finance and accounting roles is fueled by mergers and acquisitions, organic revenue growth, and companies moving their headquarters to Chicago's city center from the suburbs and other parts of the United States."
Recruiting Challenges
Fifty-five percent of Chicago CFOs surveyed said it's somewhat or very challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today. This compares to 53 percent in the previous six months.
Many firms are facing increased difficulty staffing financial positions, the research found. Twenty-seven percent of Chicago executives said it's much more challenging or somewhat more challenging to find skilled candidates for finance and accounting positions today compared to three years ago.
Business Confidence
According to the Professional Employment Forecast, Chicago CFOs are optimistic about company growth. Ninety-two percent of CFOs reported being somewhat or very confident in their company's prospects for growth in the next six months.
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, finance, 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 330 staffing locations worldwide and offers online job search and management tools at roberthalf.com. For additional career and management insights, follow roberthalf.com/chicago/blog.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160315/344614-INFO
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160212/332877LOGO
SOURCE Robert Half
Share this article