While the jobs recovery continues to lag that of previous recessions, the outlook for the second half of 2012 shows continued improvement over 2011. Forty-four percent of private sector employers reported they are planning to hire full-time, permanent staff from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2012, an increase of nine percentage points over the same period last year. In last year’s forecast, the number of companies planning to hire full-time, permanent employees (35 percent) increased seven percentage points over 2010.
"The rate of job creation has been slower than what we would have expected at this point in the recovery, but the market is stable," said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder.
Employers plan to add a mix of new employees over the next six months, with each category trending up from last year:
- Hiring full-time, permanent employees—44 percent, up from 35 percent in 2011.
- Hiring part-time employees—21 percent, up from 15 percent in 2011.
- Hiring contract or temporary employees—21 percent, up from 12 percent in 2011.
Hiring among small businesses is gradually gaining ground. However, companies with 50 or fewer employees continue to be more cautious than other segments and reported little change in recruitment plans from last year.
- 50 or fewer employees—21 percent hiring full-time, permanent employees, up from 20 percent in 2011.
- 250 or fewer employees—31 percent hiring full-time, permanent employees, up from 26 percent in 2011.
- 500 or fewer employees—34 percent hiring full-time, permanent employees, up from 27 percent in 2011.