The number of direct marketing companies planning to hire fell slightly, according to the latest Bernhart Associates employment survey released yesterday.
The survey found that 66 percent of companies responding will add to headcount in the coming three months, down from 70 percent last quarter. Ten percent said they still have a hiring freeze. Also, 3 percent said they plan to reduce headcount this spring.
Participating in the survey were 112 DM companies including agencies, suppliers and end users. It was e-mailed the week of April 4. Results are published in the Direct Marketing Association's Statistical Fact Book.
“All of the key indicators are holding steady this year and remain at healthy levels,” said Jerry Bernhart, president of Bernhart Associates Executive Search, Owatonna, MN, which conducts the quarterly employment survey. “The new jobs index is down only slightly, and the number of companies planning cutbacks has fallen to its lowest level in the five years we've been conducting the survey.
“One trend I've noticed is the continued steady decline in the number of companies requiring added approval to hire. For some types of positions companies are experiencing much more difficulty finding qualified candidates. I'm getting an increasing number of calls from human resource managers telling me that their online job postings just aren't producing the results they used to.”
Employers said they anticipate the strongest hiring needs to be in account management, analytics, sales and technology.
Companies interested in being added to the quarterly survey should send an e-mail to [email protected] with “Opt-in” in the subject line.
