Atlanta executives expect professional-level hiring to increase in the next six months, according to the just-released Atlanta Professional Employment Forecast from Robert Half. Twenty percent of local CFOs anticipate their company will create new jobs, up 5 points from the previous six-month period. Another 66 percent plan to hire 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:
Sept. 2016 – Feb. 2017
March 2016 – Aug. 2016*
Expanding – adding new positions
20%
15%
Maintaining – only filling vacated positions
66%
72%
Freezing – not filling vacated positions or creating new ones
12%
11%
Reducing – eliminating positions
2%
2%
Don't know/no answer
0%
1%
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.
View an infographic featuring the survey results.
Recruiting Challenges
Sixty-five percent of Atlanta CFOs surveyed said it's somewhat or very challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today.
Atlanta executives (35 percent) also said finding skilled workers is their greatest staffing challenge.
"A continuing trend we are seeing in Atlanta is top prospects are receiving multiple offers, quickly," said Andy Decker, senior regional president for Robert Half. "To compete in this market, companies must shorten their hiring process and make competitive offers. Twelve months ago, a high-level position in accounting and finance or technology could take a month or six weeks to staff; today top candidates will receive multiple offers within one to two weeks."
Business Confidence
According to the Professional Employment Forecast, Atlanta CFOs are optimistic about their company's growth. Ninety percent of executives reported being somewhat or very confident in their company's prospects in the next six months.