Seattle CFOs Expect Increased Hiring In Next Six Months
Survey Finds 93 Percent of Seattle Companies Confident About Business Growth
Survey Finds 93 Percent of Seattle Companies Confident About Business Growth
SEATTLE, March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Seattle executives expect professional-level hiring to increase in the next six months, according to the just-released Seattle Professional Employment Forecast from Robert Half. Thirteen percent of local chief financial officers (CFOs) anticipate their company will create new jobs, up two points from the previous six-month period. Another 72 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 |
13% |
11% |
| Maintaining – only filling vacated positions |
72% |
76% |
| Freezing – not filling vacated positions or creating new ones |
11% |
11% |
| Reducing – eliminating positions |
4% |
1% |
| Don't know/no answer |
1% |
1% |
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.
View an infographic featuring the survey results.
"As job growth continues in Seattle, we're seeing businesses work harder than ever to attract and retain top performers through competitive salaries and other perks, including relocation packages," said Josh Warborg, district president for Robert Half in Seattle. "Seattle was recently ranked as the No. 1 city in the nation for career-oriented professionals in a Robert Half and Economist Intelligence Unit study. We're seeing strong local hiring, particularly in the technology, financial services and healthcare sectors."
Recruiting Challenges
Sixty percent of Seattle CFOs surveyed said it's somewhat or very challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today. This compares to 58 percent in the previous six months.
Many firms are facing increased difficulty staffing financial positions, the research found. Nineteen percent of Seattle 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, Seattle CFOs are optimistic about company growth. Ninety-three percent of executives reported being somewhat or very confident in their company's prospects for growth in the next six months, up one point from six months ago.
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 Seattle 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, visit roberthalf.com/seattle-tacoma.
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SOURCE Robert Half
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