Nearly three in every four direct marketers anticipate adding staff this winter, according to an employment survey from Owatonna, MN-based Bernhart Associates Executive Search LLC.
Seventy percent of respondents said they plan to add to staff during the first quarter while 6% are planning staff cutbacks. Both figures are nearly identical compared with where they stood at the beginning of 2005. The percentage of companies reporting a hiring freeze fell to 7%, a record low.
“The new hire figure is down 10% from last quarter but the survey is not seasonably adjusted so that doesn’t surprise me,’ said Jerry Bernhart, President, Bernhart Associates Executive Search, LLC in a statement. “The year-to-year comparisons are what we look at most, and since 2002 we have started each year with a higher level of new staffing, although this year we seem to have plateaued.”
Sales positions were listed as the jobs that will be in highest demand this quarter followed by account management and analysts.
“The numbers are holding steady at multi-year highs,” Bernhart added. “It appears 2006 is shaping up to be another good year for direct marketing job opportunities. I’m certainly seeing it on the recruitment side where business this month is off to a very strong start, just like it was last year at this time.”
A total of 134 direct marketing companies responded to the survey, which was emailed to survey participants the first week of January. Companies interested in being added to the quarterly survey should send an email to survey@bernhart.com with “Opt-in” in the subject line.
