Los Angeles CFOs Report Fourth-Quarter Hiring Plans
Survey Finds Nearly 9 in 10 Companies Optimistic About Business Growth During Quarter
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) in the Los Angeles area expect to add new professional-level positions in the fourth quarter, according to the Los Angeles 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 69 percent said they will hire for roles that open during the next three months.
Most executives are optimistic about their business prospects for the fourth quarter. Eighty nine percent of CFOs expressed confidence in their companies' growth potential for the quarter, with more than one-third (40 percent) of all respondents saying they are very confident.
The survey suggests, however, that organizations looking to expand and add staff may face difficulties. The majority of CFOs surveyed, 60 percent, said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today.
"Lingering uncertainty around global markets and economic indicators in the United States are prompting many companies to take a more strategic approach to hiring in the months ahead," said Brett Good, senior district president for Robert Half in Los Angeles. "While businesses are cautious about adding full-time staff across the board, demand has picked up for college-educated professionals with experience in areas such as healthcare, financial services and information technology."
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 Los Angeles area with 20 or more employees.
CFOs were asked, "What are your company's hiring plans for full-time professional-level employees in the fourth quarter?" Their responses:
Fourth Quarter |
Third Quarter |
|
Expanding – adding new positions |
12% |
14% |
Maintaining – only filling vacated positions |
69% |
68% |
Freezing – not filling vacated positions or |
13% |
13% |
Reducing – eliminating positions |
5% |
4% |
Don't know/no answer |
2% |
1% |
101%* |
100% |
|
*Numbers do not total 100 percent due to rounding. |
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 Los Angeles area, please contact Katie Evans at (925) 913-1928.
SOURCE Robert Half
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