Dallas/Fort Worth CFOs Report Third-Quarter Hiring Plans

Survey Finds Nine in 10 Companies Optimistic About Business Growth During Quarter

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Jun 10, 2013, 09:00 ET

DALLAS, June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Eleven percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) in the Dallas/Fort Worth area expect to add new professional-level positions in the third quarter, according to the Dallas/Fort Worth Professional Employment Forecast from Robert Half. Thirteen percent of respondents will not be hiring, even to fill an open position, and 5 percent plan to reduce staff levels. Another 70 percent said they will hire for roles that open during the next three months.

Most executives are optimistic about their business prospects for the third quarter. Nine in 10 (91 percent) CFOs expressed confidence in their company's growth potential for the quarter, with 45 percent of respondents saying they are very confident.

The survey suggests, however, organizations looking to expand and add staff may face difficulties. The majority of CFOs surveyed, 59 percent, said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today.

"As companies continue to relocate and add personnel in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, candidates with highly specialized skill sets remain in demand," said Cecil Gregg, district president for Robert Half in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. "Especially in investment and real estate, oil and gas, healthcare, and manufacturing, companies are increasingly competing for skilled professionals."

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-quarter rolling average based on interviews with 200 CFOs from a stratified random sample of companies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with 20 or more employees.

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

	Third Quarter	Second Quarter
Expanding -- adding new positions	11%	11%
Maintaining -- only filling vacated positions	70%	70%
Freezing -- not filling vacated positions or creating new ones	13%	16%
Reducing -- eliminating positions	5%	2%
Don't know/no answer	1%	1%
	100%	100%

Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. Find more information at www.roberthalf.com.

Note to editors: To speak with a local expert on employment trends in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, please contact Meghan Lockhart at (206) 749-0960.

SOURCE Robert Half