Don't look now, but the accounting professional is among the most in-demand by companies looking to hire in the first half of this year. According to the "State of U.S. Hiring Survey" by Robert Half, 58% of companies say they expect to add new permanent roles during the first half of the year, up from 46% six months ago. Among the leaders are accounting and finance professionals, who constitute up 62% of the full-time staff needs.
The report of more than 2,000 hiring managers shows that despite market volatility, companies across the country are planning to hire early this year and are scrambling to staff up.
While many companies are eager to hire, 9 in 10 managers say it is challenging to find skilled professionals, on par with results from the last "State of U.S. Hiring Survey." Employers also reported it can take up to 11 weeks, on average, to hire for an open position, up from seven weeks in 2021.
According to the research, 72% of managers plan to hire more contract professionals in the first half of 2023, compared to 45% six months ago. Those in finance and accounting and legal (78% each) are most likely to increase their use of contract talent. And, despite hiring challenges, employers say they conduct about four interviews with a candidate before extending a job offer.
Beyond skills, the top traits they look for in potential hires are:
- Knowledge of the company
- Timeliness and professionalism during interviews
- Passion for the company's mission
For a complete look at the study, CLICK HERE.