More hiring in D.C. this spring, but challenges filling those jobs

WASHINGTON — More professional-level jobs will be available in the Washington area this spring and summer, but companies still say they’re having trouble finding qualified candidates to fill their openings.

A survey of Washington-area chief financial officers by placement firm Robert Half says 18 percent expect to create new jobs in the next six months, up from 14 percent who said so six months ago. Another 68 percent plan to hire only for open positions.

Only 12 percent see their companies freezing hiring activity; 2 percent expect to cut jobs in the next six months.

“The demand for accounting and technology professionals continues to increase, particularly in the nonprofit, government contracting, health care, hospitality and construction industries,” says Robert Half senior regional president Josh Howarth.

Despite the openings, 58 percent of Washington area CFOs say it is somewhat or very challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today, slightly more than those who said so six months ago.

Finance and accounting positions are among the toughest jobs for companies to fill, the survey says.

Robert Half WashDC - Infographic

Jeff Clabaugh

Jeff Clabaugh has spent 20 years covering the Washington region's economy and financial markets for WTOP as part of a partnership with the Washington Business Journal, and officially joined the WTOP newsroom staff in January 2016.

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