California Business Minute™

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

Robert Half International has released its fourth quarter forecasts for hiring IT and
Accounting/Finance professionals.

While their forecasts illustrate a pretty dismal picture, it appears that if you are in the
job market as an accountant you should be looking at San Diego for a job. Twelve
percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) surveyed plan to add staff during the quarter
and 7 percent anticipate reductions in personnel. The net 5 percent increase is up eight
points from the area's third-quarter 2008 forecast. Again, while the employment picture
looks dismal – it’s San Diego!

For those looking for IT employment, while the forecasts look bleak for employment
opportunities, if you are in IT, it appears that the Bay Area is the place for you. Ten percent
of executive’s surveyed plan to add staff during the quarter and 5 percent anticipate reductions
in personnel. The net 5 percent increase is down three points from the area's third-quarter
2008 forecast, but remains higher than markets in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego
and Sacramento.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.