MNI News (Deutsche Boerse) (10/03/12) Claudia Hirsch

U.S. permanent hiring increased in September from August, but employers remained selective when adding to payrolls, according to recruiters around the country. Personnel specialists say firms hired permanent employees at a cautious pace, but brought in fewer temporary workers in the month. Becca Dernberger, vice president and general manager of ManpowerGroup’s Northeast U.S. division, says her temporary-hiring commerce rose by less than anticipated in September from August, but appetites for permanent workers firmed alongside clients’ own growth. “The optimism is still there, but we’re just seeing a little wait-and-see. We’re not seeing any layoffs or closures. We’re not seeing any doom and gloom by any means,” says Dernberger.

Eugene Lupario, chief executive of Silicon Valley Staffing Group, reports permanent placements continued in September, but temporary and contract staffing slowed as projects concluded on schedule. Lupario’s permanent placements are centered in finance and information technology. He has more technical job orders than ever, and more than he can fill in a competitive environment.

Shane Grady, director of training and development at Drake & Co. of Madison, WI, says temporary-to-permanent conversions are happening a little faster this year than last because of the paucity of qualified candidates. In particular demand are administrative, human resources, and accounting personnel for permanent positions in health care, technology, and, recently, in property management.