Job Growth Expected To Continue In 2014

Hiring expected to increase in the second half of this year according to CareerBuilder

Looks like employers are in a hiring state-of-mind. According to CareerBuilder’s Midyear Job Forecast job growth will continue in the second half of 2014. Results of the national survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder, indicate that nearly half of U.S. employers plan to add full-time permanent staff over the next six months, and one-third plan to hire temporary or contract workers. CareerBuilder notes that this marks an improvement in both areas over the same time last year.

“The results of this year’s survey are indicative of a more assured employer population compared to 2013 when companies were, to some extent, irresolute when it came to adding permanent staff,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. “Back then, employers anticipated a spike in temporary employment in the second half of the year while permanent employment was to remain flat. The 2014 midyear forecast shows employers are expecting forward movement in all categories of hiring. Jobs will also be added in a variety of areas, heavily favoring job seekers with expertise in technology, financial operations, communications and other specialized fields.”

Led by Information Technology, Financial Services and Hospitality, the industries expected to outperform the national average for hiring full-time permanent staff over the next several months are:

• Information Technology – 59 percent, up from 51 percent last year
• Financial Services – 57 percent, up from 52 percent last year
• Hospitality – 55 percent, up from 46 percent last year
• Health Care – 54 percent, up from 51 percent last year
• Manufacturing – 54 percent, up from 52 percent last year

Hot Areas for Hiring

When it comes to creating new roles, employers cited social media and technology among the top areas for job creation.  The top five areas cited were:

• Jobs tied to social media – 11 percent
• Jobs tied to mobile technology – 11 percent
• Jobs tied to cloud technology – 10 percent
• Jobs tied to wellness – 10 percent
• Jobs tied to content strategy for the Web – 9 percent

Hiring Across the Country

Among respondents, the Northeast and South reported the biggest increased in employers planning to increase their full-time permanent staff. While hiring in the West and Midwest is expected to remain relatively unchanged.

• Northeast – 48 percent, up from 43 percent last year
• South – 48 percent, up from 42 percent last year
• West – 47 percent, down slightly from 48 percent last year
• Midwest – 46 percent, on par with last year

For more details and complete results of the 2014 Midyear U.S. Job Forecast visit CareerBuilder.