Dayton Business Journal...
Hiring in 2012 may be better than outlook
by Jeff Clabaugh, Broadcast/Web Reporter
Wednesday, December 28, 2011 

A Careerbuilder survey of hiring executives finds 23 percent of U.S. companies plan to hire full-time employees in 2012, little changed from its 2011 forecast. 

Midwestern employers are right on par with the national average, with 23 percent of them also saying they plan to hire next year. Six percent of Midwestern employees said they planned to reduce headcount in 2012. 

But Careerbuilder also says the hiring picture may be better than its early forecast for next year. 

“Historically, our surveys have shown that employers are more conservative in their predictions than actual hiring,” said Careerbuilder chief executive Matt Ferguson. “Barring any major economic upsets, we expect 2012 to bring a better hiring picture than 2011, especially in the second half of the year.” 

The most job openings will be in sales and information technology, according to the survey. 

Companies also reported an increase in voluntary turnover in 2011, with 34 percent saying employees left to pursue other opportunities, seeking higher salaries and a lighter workload. 

Thirty percent of employers say they lost top performers to other organizations in 2011 and 43 percent are concerned top talent may jump ship in the New Year. 

Careerbuilder is owned by McLean-based Gannett Co. Inc. (NYSE: GCI), along with Tribune Company and The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI).