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CFOs Cite Leadership, Talent Are Keys to Staying Ahead of the Competition ST. LOUIS (PRNewswire), April 12, 2009 - Employing good people is a company's best line of defense against the competition, a recent survey of chief financial officers (CFOs) suggests. More than half (55 percent) of executives interviewed said that having solid leadership and hiring outstanding talent are the best ways to protect against threats from rival firms. State-of-the-art technology is also viewed as a significant advantage, cited by 24 percent of respondents. The survey was developed by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, the world's first and largest specialized financial recruitment service. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on interviews with more than 1,400 CFOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 20 or more employees. "In any economy, an organization's most valuable asset is its people, but this is even more true in uncertain times when a company's survival may depend on strong leadership and maintaining high customer service levels," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International and author of Human Resources Kit For Dummies(R), 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). "Companies must be able to quickly shift gears to take advantage of new opportunities, which requires clear vision and capable staff." Messmer noted, "With outstanding performers now in the job market, companies have access to professionals who would not have been available one year ago. Even though managers are closely watching budgets, it makes sense to hire people who can help the company enhance its depth of skills and expertise and grow now and in the future." Keeping current with technology also remains critical for companies to maintain a competitive edge, according to Messmer. Half of Workers Who Were Laid Off in the Last Three Months Found Jobs ST. LOUIS (PRNewswire), April 12, 2009 - Despite it being one of the most challenging hiring environments in the nation's history, 41 percent of workers who were laid off from full-time jobs in the last three months reported they found a new full-time, permanent position while another 8 percent found part-time work. This is according to a survey from CareerBuilder that included 807 workers who were laid off from full-time jobs within the last 12 months. The survey was conducted between February 20 and March 11, 2009. "This is encouraging news for the 3.3 million workers who have lost their jobs in recent months," said Brent Rasmussen, President of CareerBuilder North America. "It's going to take longer to find a job in today's market, but there are opportunities out there in key areas such as healthcare, government, education, sales and technology. It's important to devote five hours or more to your job search every day, check online listings, talk to recruiters, join social networking sites - use all the resources you have available to you." Comparing Gender and Age More men than women who were laid off in the last 12 months were able to find full-time employment - 59 percent of men compared to 49 percent of women. Comparing age brackets, workers ages 35 to 44 were the most likely to find full-time jobs after a layoff at 68 percent. Workers ages 18 to 24 were the least likely at 41 percent followed by 46 percent of workers age 55 and older. Severance and Long-term Savings The financial implications of job loss were significant for affected workers. Of those workers who were laid off in the last 12 months, only 32 percent received a severance package from their employers. Sixty-nine percent reported the severance sustained them for 2 months or less. One-in-four said it sustained them for less than one month. Forty-five percent of workers who were laid off in the last year had to tap into long-term savings as a result of losing their jobs. Impact on Pay and Hours Workers reported taking pay reductions and adjusting hours to keep a steady paycheck. Nearly half of workers (49 percent) who were laid off in the last 12 months and landed new positions took a job with less pay; 15 percent were able to negotiate higher compensation. One-in-five (20 percent) took a job with less hours while 12 percent took on more hours. Continued Next Column    Advertisements Continued Relocating Workers said they are expanding their job search beyond their own backyard. Thirteen percent of workers who were laid off in the last 12 months and found jobs relocated to a new city or state. Of those who are still looking for employment, 39 percent reported they would consider relocating for a job opportunity. Transferring Skills to Other Industries and Fields Workers reported they are repackaging their resumes for new areas of employment. Thirty-eight percent of workers who were laid off in the last 12 months and landed new positions said they found work in a different field from where they were previously employed. Seventy percent of these workers said they really enjoy the new opportunity. Of those workers who are still job hunting, 44 percent are looking for work outside of their profession. Starting a Business A highly competitive job market is motivating some workers to be their own boss. One-in-four workers (25 percent) who have not found jobs are considering starting their own business. Archived Stories: New Survey of U.S. Employees Reveals Surprising Level of Optimism Significant and Surprising Changes Among Men and Women At Work and At Home Career Expert Offers Tips for Mature Workers to Navigate Tough Economy Seven Ways to Keep Health Coverage If You Lose Your Job Out-of-Work Executives Expect Lengthy Job Searches in Today's Economy Take the 10-Question Economic Sensitivity Survey to Find Out How Your Staff Is Holding Up During This Economy Scholarships Available to Eligible Applicants for Computer Training Clients in Health Care, Food Service, Financial Services Are Adding Jobs School Bus Workers in Missouri and Tennessee Join Teamsters Union St. Louis Unemployment Center Reopens to Provide Service for Unemployed Missourians Labor Dept to Assist Missouri Auto Industry Workers Downsizing and Reorganization Most Acutely Felt at Bottom of Corporate Ladder Women Say Cosmetic Surgery Gives Them Competitive Edge in the Workplace Expert Offers Tips for Managing Online Reputation Recession-Wary Employers Seek Better Ways to Find Star Job Performers Project Work Attractive Option in Competitive Job Market Private Capital Available to Create Nearly 2 Million Jobs When Coupled with Stimulus Plan The Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. 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