MediaBuyerPlanner: Direct marketing job seekers have reason to be hopeful this new year, according to the latest employment survey by Bernhart Associates Executive Search, LLC.
“The new hiring indicator is holding up well,” said Jerry Bernhart, president of the search firm which has been tracking direct marketing hiring activity in the U.S. for the past six years.? “We’re seeing practically no change from the fourth quarter, which also was a good quarter for hiring.”
According to the survey, 66 percent of respondents said they plan to add to staff during the first quarter of 2007, down 1 percent from results shown in the fourth quarter survey (pdf). The number of companies planning staff reductions remained at 10 percent while the percentage with hiring freezes dropped to 13 percent compared with 15 percent last quarter.
“On the recruitment side we’re off to a very strong start so far this year,” said Bernhart.? “Direct marketing employers are competing for the best talent, with recruitment and retention efforts a top priority as they enter 2007.”
Bernhart said demand is particularly strong for ecommerce-related positions. “Those with a good grasp of the online channel should find plenty of opportunity.” Employers plan to hire more technical positions than they have in the past couple of years, driven by continued business growth.
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