NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK:
Survey Projects Continued Momentum in
U.S. Hiring Intentions in 2013
Source: WBTV.com

Optimism among U.S. hiring decision makers
continues to improve as a slightly increased hiring
pace is expected for Quarter 1 2013, according to
the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey
released today by ManpowerGroup. When seasonal
variations are removed from the data, the Net
Employment Outlook for Quarter 1 2013 is +12%,
a 1 percentage point increase from Quarter 4 2012
and slightly elevated from +9% during the same
period last year.

This quarter's research concludes:

Strongest First Quarter Outlook in Five Years -
The Quarter 1 2013 Net Employment Outlook is the
strongest first quarter data collected since 2008, and
is significantly stronger than the weakest first quarter
Outlook in the history of the survey, reported in 2010.

Improvement in Retail Sector -
Nationally, the Wholesale & Retail Trade industry
sector anticipates an increase in hiring in Quarter 1
2013. Typically, there is a decline in hiring plans at
the start of a new year.

Positive Trend in Northeast and West -
Employers in the Northeast and West anticipate
increases in hiring in Quarter 1 2013. Compared to
this time last year, employers in the Northeast
indicate a 4 percentage point increase, while
employers in the West expect to increase hiring by
7 percentage points.

To complement the Quarter 1 2013 survey results,
an infographic is available for download at
http://press.manpower.com/. "Where the Jobs Are"
offers a snapshot of data and trends from the survey,
including key state and metro area-specific Outlooks
along with an industry forecast.

"The Outlook has shown no setbacks over the last 15
quarters, which reflects an ongoing state of rebuilding
as employers learn to function within a state of
volatility," said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup
president. "Over the past few years, we have seen
continued incremental growth in hiring projections,
which reinforces this job growth is slow but sustained."

Of the more than 18,000 employers surveyed, 17
percent expect to add to their workforces in Quarter 1
2013, while 8 percent expect a decrease in payrolls,
resulting in a Net Employment Outlook of +9%. When
seasonally adjusted, the Net Employment Outlook
becomes +12%. Seventy-two percent of employers
expect no change in their hiring plans. The final 3
percent of employers indicate they are undecided
about their hiring intentions.

"Historically, the trend has been for Wholesale &
Retail Trade employers to tighten up staff counts
after the holiday rush," said Prising. "This quarter,
we're actually seeing plans to increase hiring, which
is notable and reflects a real boost in consumer
confidence."

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