Southeast Missourian (04/16/12) Heather Collier

Although Missouri’s unemployment rate hit a four-year low of 7.4% in February, observers say employers are being conservative when it comes to hiring. “They’re trying to get more done with less people,” says Debbie Glenn, regional branch manager of ManpowerGroup. A recent quarterly outlook employment survey by ManpowerGroup found that 18% of employers expect to increase hiring, compared with just 4% planning to downsize. Glenn expects growth in the health care market in particular and notes that few entry-level jobs are available. She adds that more companies are using staffing firms to handle their staffing needs.