Direct Marketing Employment/Job Survey--Direct Marketing, Mail Order, E-commerce News

Direct Marketing, Mail Order, and E-commerce News from the National Mail Order Association

Direct Marketing Job Outlook Softens

Owatonna MN- The slowdown in the overall US economy is apparently beginning to impact hiring plans for direct marketers.

"Our latest quarterly employment survey is showing about a 6% drop in the new hire index," said Jerry Bernhart, President of Bernhart Associates Executive Search which has been measuring employment trends in direct marketing for the past 5 years. "This is not particularly alarming, nor is it surprising when you look at the recent economic data. Most job seekers are finding opportunities out there but the job market is not quite as robust as it was a year ago."

Among companies responding to the survey, 66% said they plan to add to staff this summer, down from 72% in the spring and 80% last fall. "We noticed a spike in demand for internet-related skills, particularly web designers and graphic artists. Demand for sales representatives also will be strong this quarter," said Bernhart.

"The good news is that we're seeing fewer layoffs," said Bernhart, noting that only two companies out of the more than 100 that responded reported they plan to reduce headcount in the coming three months, a record low for the survey.

Survey results are published in the DMA Statistical Fact Book.

Bernhart said business has been brisk on the executive search side. "We're filling positions across many direct marketing functions and at all levels. Many of the human resource managers we work with are telling us that for some positions their online job postings just aren't producing results, so they're looking for alternatives."

126 direct marketing companies including agencies, suppliers and end-users participated

in the survey which was emailed the week of July 10.

Companies interested in being added to the quarterly survey should send an email to survey@bernhart.com with "Opt-in" in the subject line.

Bernhart Associates Executive Search LLC, since 1989 concentrating exclusively in Direct Marketing, CRM/Database Marketing, Quantitative Analysis and Sales/Business Development. Find us on the internet at http://www.bernhart.com.

Home of http://www.directmarketingcareers.com, the internet's most complete job posting website for the direct marketing industry.

Bernhart Associates Executive Search, LLC.
2068 Greenwood Drive
Owatonna, MN 55060

Email: mailto:bgb@Bernhart.com
Office Phone: 507-451-4270
Website: www.bernhart.com