A telephone survey of CFOs at 1,400 U.S. companies finds that most plan to boost hiring efforts in the fourth quarter this year, according to global human resources firm Robert Half International.
According to its survey, based on a random sample of U.S. companies with 20 or more employees, 12% of the CFOs polled anticipate adding employees, while 7% expect staff reductions. The net 5% of CFOs planning to hire is up four points from the third-quarter study and the highest projection in three years, noted Max Messmer, chairman &CEO of Robert Half International, in a statement.
CFOs also reported optimism about the overall outlook for their companies, he added, with 91% expressing at least some confidence in their firm’s growth potential in the fourth quarter - 55% saying they are very confident, while 36% reported being somewhat confident.
Messmer also noted that, on an industry level, executives in the professional services sector are most likely to hire in the fourth quarter, with 14% of their CFOs planning to add staff with only 5% expecting cutbacks.
CFOs in manufacturing also anticipate above average hiring activity, with a net 8% of executives in the industry forecasting personnel increases, he pointed out.
