Express Hiring Survey Reveals Employers to Continue Hiring in Fourth Quarter

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Oct 17, 2012, 10:57 ET

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Employers plan to continue adding to their staff in the fourth quarter by hiring for commercial and administrative jobs, according to a recent hiring trends survey conducted by Express Employment Professionals, one of the nation's largest privately-held staffing companies.

According to 439 employers across the United States and Canada, 32 percent of respondents are planning new hires for commercial and light industrial jobs.

"With the unemployment rate at its lowest since January 2009 and employers planning to hire even more staff, we're off to a good start for the fourth quarter for job seekers, said Bob Funk, CEO and chairman of the board for Express. "This news comes on the heels of Express placing more than 20,000 new employees in North America in September."

The survey also revealed 14 percent of employers who responded to the survey plan to hire administrative and office clerical staff.

Regionally, the outlook for hiring plans in the south, central and west regions is strongest for administrative and office clerical sector, while the east central region sees the greatest need in accounting and finance. The northeast region sees the greatest demand in the "other" sector that includes customer service, general labor, maintenance, retail and sales.

When considering new hires, employers who responded to the hiring trends survey said an applicant's work ethic and integrity are the most important characteristics they look for in a candidate when making a hiring decision. Previously, respondents indicated job experience and attitude were the most important to employers.

More than 50 percent of respondents indicated that they are still having difficulty recruiting for and filling positions.

Express Employment Professionals helped 341,000 people find jobs in 2011 with more than 570 franchises in three countries. Temporary staffing sales for the Oklahoma City-based company totaled more than $2.1 billion in 2011.

Express offers a full range of employment solutions, including evaluation hire, temporary staffing, professional search and human resources. Express focuses on a wide range of positions, including professional, commercial and administrative. For more information about Express, visit www.expresspros.com.

SOURCE Express Employment Professionals