Technology and customer service jobs 'first to be filled' as economy improves

As the economy begins to recover, technology, customer service and sales jobs will be the first to be filled as hiring managers consider customer service the most critical function for their organisation's success, according to a new study.

Sales, marketing and technology, public relations, communications, business development and accounting and finance came next among priorities.

The Employment Dynamics and Growth Expectations report, based on an annual survey by Robert Half International and Career Builder, found that 53 per cent of employers also expect to hire full-time employees in the next 12 months.

More than 500 hiring managers and 500 workers participated in the study, which was conducted by International Communications Research from April 30th to May 31st.

Chairman of Robert Half International Max Messmer said that companies were already looking at where they need to bolster their workforce.

He said: "Companies already are identifying the key skill sets they will need in new hires to take advantage of the opportunities presented by improving economic conditions."

Mr Half questioned the management skills of some firms that had cut staffing levels too deeply, and may need to do significant rebuilding once the recovery takes hold.

Yesterday, ITcontractor.com warned that laying off existing IT workers to cut costs during the economic downturn would be bad for long-term business.