Manpower Employment Outlook Survey: United States - Q1, 2008

Q1 2008
Manpower
Employment
Outlook Survey
United States
A Manpower Research Report

Q1/08
Manpower Employment Outlook Survey United States
Contents
United States Employment Outlook 1

Regional Comparisons
Sector Comparisons
Global Employment Outlook 13

International Comparisons – Americas
International Comparisons – Asia Pacific
International Comparisons – EMEA
About the Survey 20
About Manpower 21
United States Employment Outlook
More than 14,000 interviews Among U.S. employers surveyed, 22% foresee an
increase in hiring activity, and 12% expect a decline in
have been conducted with staff during Quarter 1 2008. Sixty percent anticipate no
change in the hiring pace, while 6% are undecided
employers across the about their January – March hiring plans.
United States to measure When seasonal variations are removed from the data,
anticipated employment employers do not expect to change course compared
to the final quarter of 2007. However, the first quarter
trends between January Net Employment Outlook for the United States is
and March 2008. weaker than one year ago at this time.
All participants were asked, Please note that throughout this report, the figure used
in all graphs is the ‘‘Net Employment Outlook’’. This
“How do you anticipate figure is derived by taking the percentage of employers
total employment at your anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting

from this the percentage of employers that expect to
location to change in the see a decrease in employment at their location in the
next quarter.
three months to the end of
March 2008 as compared
to the current quarter?”
Net Employment Seasonally
Increase Decrease No Change Don’t Know
Outlook Adjusted
% % % % % %
1st Quarter 2008 22 12 60 6 10 17
4th Quarter 2007 27 9 58 6 18 18
3rd Quarter 2007 29 7 58 6 22 18
2nd Quarter 2007 28 7 59 6 21 18
1st Quarter 2007 23 11 60 6 12 19
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Seasonally Adjusted Outlook Net Employment Outlook
The results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey in the United States include Puerto Rico.
1
Half of the industry sectors anticipate a downturn in Compared to a year ago at this time, employers in nine
hiring activity compared to three months ago, according of the 10 industry sectors surveyed anticipate a decrease
to the seasonally adjusted survey results. This includes in hiring activity, including Mining, Construction, Non-
the Construction, Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, Durable Goods Manufacturing, Transportation/Public
Education, Services and Public Administration sectors. Utilities, Wholesale/Retail Trade, Finance/Insurance/Real
Finance/Insurance/Real Estate, Wholesale/Retail Trade Estate, Education, Services and Public Administration.
and Durable Goods Manufacturing employers expect Durable Goods Manufacturers expect a similar hiring
a stable hiring pace, while employers in the Mining pace compared to Quarter 1 2007.
and Transportation/Public Utilities sectors expect a
slight increase compared to Quarter 4 2007.

Outlook Adjusted
% % % % % %
Construction 17 23 56 4 -6 10
Education 15 7 75 3 8 11
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate 21 9 62 8 12 13
Manufacturing – Durables 24 11 59 6 13 17
Manufacturing – Non-Durables 21 10 64 5 11 15
Mining 28 5 62 5 23 25
Public Administration 20 8 66 6 12 14
Services 25 9 60 6 16 20
Transportation & Public Utilities 22 10 61 7 12 15
Wholesale & Retail Trade 21 18 55 6 3 19
At the overall national level, the margin of error on the data is +/– 0.8%.
For January – March, the hiring outlook in the Northeast, the hiring pace. Employers in the West project the most
South and West is stable compared to Quarter 4 2007, active hiring during Quarter 1 2008, while those in the
while employers in the Midwest anticipate a mild dip in Northeast have the weakest hiring expectations.

Outlook Adjusted
% % % % % %
Midwest 19 13 63 5 6 15
Northeast 21 13 59 7 8 14
South 23 11 61 5 12 18
West 29 11 53 7 18 24
2
Regional Comparisons In a quarter-over-quarter comparison, employers in seven
of the 10 industry sectors surveyed report decreased
Midwest +6 (15)% hiring plans compared to Quarter 4 2007, including
Construction, Public Administration, Durable and Non-
Of the employers surveyed in the Midwest, 19%
Durable Goods Manufacturing, Finance/Insurance/Real
anticipate adding to their payrolls for the first quarter
Estate, Education and Services. Mining and
of 2008, and 13% expect to reduce headcount.
Wholesale/Retail Trade employers expect little change
This yields a Net Employment Outlook of +6%. On a
in hiring pace, while the employment picture is
seasonally adjusted basis, Midwest employers foresee
expected to improve slightly in the Transportation/Public
a decrease in the hiring pace compared to Quarter 4
Utilities sector.
2007 and a year ago at this time.

Outlook Adjusted
% % % % % %
All Industries 19 13 63 5 6 15
Education 9 6 80 5 3 7
Mining 0 0 100 0 0 5
Public Administration 10 11 73 6 -1 1
Services 22 9 65 4 13 17
Wholesale & Retail Trade 19 20 56 5 -1 19
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The Midwest Region comprises the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South
Dakota, Wisconsin.
3
Northeast +8 (14)% Compared to the previous quarter, Durable Goods

Manufacturing, Wholesale/Retail Trade, Education
Among employers surveyed in the Northeast, 21% and Services employers foresee a similar hiring pace,
predict improved employment activity and 13% expect while employers in Construction, Non-Durable Goods
a decline in staffing for the January – March period. The Manufacturing and Transportation/Public Utilities
result is a Net Employment Outlook of +8%. Seasonally sectors anticipate a minor downturn. Mining,
adjusted data reveals that confidence among Northeast Finance/Insurance/Real Estate and Public
employers is expected to remain steady compared to Administration employers project an uptick in
three months ago with a moderate decrease compared hiring pace.
to Quarter 1 2007. Northeast employers expressed the
weakest hiring intentions among the four U.S. regions.

Outlook Adjusted
% % % % % %
Education 15 9 72 4 6 8
Mining 0 0 100 0 0 -7
Services 25 10 58 7 15 20
Wholesale & Retail Trade 19 20 53 8 -1 12
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The Northeast Region comprises the following states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Vermont.
4
South +12 (18)% Among the industry sectors, a quarter-over-quarter
comparison shows a positive trend. Employers in half
In the South, 23% of employers intend to increase the of the 10 industry sectors surveyed expect improved
hiring pace, while 11% expect to decrease their payrolls, hiring conditions during the first three months of 2008.
which results in a Net Employment Outlook of +12%. Those sectors include Mining, Non-Durable Goods
When seasonal variations are removed from the data, Manufacturing, Transportation/Public Utilities and
the survey results show that employer confidence is Education. The job market is expected to be about
unchanged compared to Quarter 4 2007, but down the same in the Construction and Durable Goods
slightly from one year ago. Manufacturing industry sectors. Services, Public
Administration and Finance/Insurance/Real Estate
employers have weaker hiring plans for Quarter 1 2008.

Outlook Adjusted
% % % % % %
Construction 19 17 62 2 2 13
Education 19 6 73 2 13 17
Mining 33 7 58 2 26 30
Services 26 9 60 5 17 20
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The South Region comprises the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland,
Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.
5
West +18 (24)% More than half the industry sectors surveyed report
stable hiring expectations for the beginning of 2008
Twenty-nine percent of employers surveyed in the West compared to Quarter 4 2007. Those sectors include
plan to add jobs, while 11% expect a decrease in hiring Mining, Durable and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing,
levels. The result is a Net Employment Outlook of Transportation/Public Utilities, Wholesale/Retail Trade
+18%. The hiring climate in the West remains and Public Administration. Education and Services
unchanged compared to three months ago but is employers anticipate a slower hiring pace. Conversely,
up slightly from Quarter 1 2007. Among the four U.S. Construction and Finance/Insurance/Real Estate
regions, the hiring pace is expected to be strongest employers foresee moderately improved job prospects.
in the West.

Outlook Adjusted
% % % % % %
Construction 23 22 46 9 1 17
Education 21 9 68 2 12 13
Mining 20 0 60 20 20 20
Services 31 7 55 7 24 28
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The West Region comprises the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,
Washington, Wyoming.
6
Sector Comparisons
According to the seasonally adjusted data, Mining
employers have the strongest hiring plans for the
beginning months of 2008. Job seekers in the Durable
Goods Manufacturing, Services and Wholesale/Retail
Trade sectors are likely to find positive conditions, as
employers report solid hiring intentions. Education,
Finance/Insurance/Real Estate, Non-Durable Goods
Manufacturing, Public Administration, and
Transportation/Public Utilities employers foresee
a cooler hiring climate. Construction employers report
the weakest hiring plans.
Construction -6
10
8
Education
11
12
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
13
13
Manufacturing – Durables
17
11
Manufacturing – Non-Durables
15
23
Mining 25
12
Public Administration 14
16
Services 20
12
Transportation & Public Utilities 15
3
Wholesale & Retail Trade 19
-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Net Employment Outlook Seasonally Adjusted Outlook
7
Construction -6 (10)%
In the Construction sector, employers project slower
hiring during Quarter 1 2008. According to seasonally
adjusted survey results, employers are more conservative
about staffing plans versus Quarter 4 2007 and a year
ago at this time.
During the January – March period, hiring plans are

most promising in the West, while employers in the
Midwest expect to take a far more cautious approach
to hiring than those in the other three regions.
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Education +8 (11)%
Compared with the October – December period and
one year ago, Education employers are less optimistic
about hiring, according to seasonally adjusted data.
Job seekers in the South are likely to find the most

positive hiring climate, while those in the Midwest can
expect the most challenging job search conditions.
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8
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
+12 (13)%
According to seasonally adjusted survey results, the
hiring pace in the Finance/Insurance/Real Estate sector
is expected to remain stable compared to Quarter 4
2007. Employers report more conservative hiring plans
compared with one year ago.
Among Finance/Insurance/Real Estate employers, hiring

plans are most promising in the West, while the slowest
hiring pace is expected in the Midwest.
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Manufacturing – Durable Goods

+13 (17)%
Seasonally adjusted survey results reveal that
confidence among Durable Goods Manufacturers is
steady compared to the October – December period.
The hiring pace is also similar to one year ago.
For the first quarter, hiring is expected to be most

active in the West, while Midwest employers are most
reserved about adding employees.
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Manufacturing – Non-Durable Goods

+11 (15)%
When seasonal variations are removed from the data,
Non-Durable Goods Manufacturers expect a slight
downturn in hiring for the first three months of 2008
compared with Quarter 4 2007 and one year ago at
this time. Despite the decrease, the hiring pace
remains solid.
For the January – March period, employers in the West

have the strongest hiring intentions, while employers in
the Northeast are least optimistic about adding staff.
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Mining +23 (25)%

Mining employers foresee a healthy hiring pace for the
first quarter of 2008, according to seasonally adjusted
data. Slightly improved hiring expectations are reported
from three months ago, however hiring plans are
weaker than those reported last year at this time.
In the Mining sector, hiring is expected to be most

active in the South, while the most sluggish jobs picture
is predicted in the Northeast.
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Public Administration +12 (14)%
According to the seasonally adjusted data, Public
Administration employers expect the hiring pace to hit a
moderate downturn at the beginning of 2008 versus the
final months of 2007. Compared with one year ago,
employers are slightly less confident about hiring.
Job seekers are likely to find the strongest hiring market

in the West, and the weakest job prospects in the
Midwest.
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Services +16 (20)%

Services employers expect to ease up slightly on hiring
during Quarter 1 2008. Hiring is expected to be slower
compared to both Quarter 4 2007 and one year ago.
Among the regions, employers in the West reveal the

strongest hiring intentions, while those in the Midwest
are least inclined to add staff.
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Transportation & Public Utilities

+12 (15)%
Transportation/Public Utilities employers report slightly
improved hiring expectations compared to Quarter 4
2007, but expectations are below those reported for
the January – March period last year.
Those seeking Transportation/Public Utilities jobs are

likely to find the strongest employment activity in the
West, and the most reserved conditions in the Northeast.
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Wholesale & Retail Trade +3 (19)%

For the January – March period, Wholesale/Retail
Trade employers expect hiring activity that is similar
to Quarter 4 2007, according to seasonally adjusted
survey results. Employer optimism is slightly weaker
than a year ago at this time.
Employers in the West report the strongest job

prospects, while those in the Northeast have the
weakest hiring intentions.
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12
Global Employment Outlook
Nearly 52,000 employers have been interviewed across territories surveyed. No negative Net Employment
27 countries and territories to measure anticipated Outlooks were reported for Quarter 1 2008. Notably,
employment trends* between January and March 2008. employers in France, Italy and the Netherlands are
First quarter hiring is expected to be positive, but with reporting their most optimistic hiring intentions since
varying degrees of optimism across the countries and the survey began in these countries.
* Comments in this section are based on seasonally adjusted data
where available.
Net Employment Outlook Qtr on Qtr Change Yr on Yr Change

Americas Quarter 1 2007 Quarter 4 2007 Quarter 1 2008 Q4 2007 to Q1 2008 Q1 2007 to Q1 2008
% % %
Argentina 35 32 36 4 1
Canada 3 (18)1 16 (19)1 6 (21)1 -10 (2)1 3 (3)1
Costa Rica 26 34 32 -2 6
Mexico 17 (19)1 21 (20)1 16 (18)1 -5 (-2)1 -1 (-1)1
Peru 52 55 52 -3 0
United States 12 (19)1 18 (18)1 10 (17)1 -8 (-1)1 -2 (-2)1

Asia Pacific Quarter 1 2007 Quarter 4 2007 Quarter 1 2008 Q4 2007 to Q1 2008 Q1 2007 to Q1 2008
% % %
Australia 24 (25)1 29 (29)1 24 (24)1 -5 (-5)1 0 (-1)1
China 18 12 14 2 -4
Hong Kong 18 (19)1 24 (24)1 25 (27)1 1 (3)1 7 (8)1
India 39 47 42 -5 3
Japan 18 (25) 1 22 (31)1 17 (24)1 -5 (-7)1 -1 (-1)1
New Zealand 25 (25)1 26 (27)1 20 (20)1 -6 (-7)1 -5 (-5)1
Singapore 44 (55)1 49 (42)1 43 (51)1 -6 (9)1 -1 (-4)1
Taiwan 15 11 14 3 -1

EMEA* Quarter 1 2007 Quarter 4 2007 Quarter 1 2008 Q4 2007 to Q1 2008 Q1 2007 to Q1 2008
% % %
Austria 6 (10)1 8 (8)1 4 (9)1 -4 (1)1 -2 (-1)1
1 1 1 1
Belgium 10 (11) 5 (6) 8 (9) 3 (3) -2 (-2)1
1 1 1 1
France 3 (5) 4 (3) 6 (8) 2 (5) 3 (3)1
1 1 1 1
Germany 2 (5) 12 (13) 7 (10) -5 (-3) 5 (5)1
1
Ireland 21 (22) 5 (7)1 4 (5)1 -1 (-2)1 -17 (-17)1
Italy 1 (3)1 -1 (0)1 4 (6)1 5 (6)1 3 (3)1
Netherlands 6 (7)1 8 (6)1 10 (11)1 2 (5)1 4 (4)1
Norway 9 (11)1 18 (21)1 21 (22)1 3 (1)1 12 (11)1
South Africa 31 27 27 0 -4
Spain 13 (15)1 9 (13)1 9 (11)1 0 (-2)1 -4 (-4)1
Sweden 8 (12)1 14 (17)1 6 (10)1 -8 (-7)1 -2 (-2)1
Switzerland 11 13 8 -5 -3
UK 12 (15)1 13 (12)1 7 (10)1 -6 (-2)1 -5 (-5)1
*EMEA – Europe, Middle East and Africa.
1. Number in parentheses is the Net Employment outlook when adjusted to remove the impact of seasonal variations in hiring activity. Please note that this data
is not available for all countries as a minimum of 13 quarters worth of data is required. 13
Employers in 12 countries and territories are reporting Regionally, employers in the Americas continue to report
stronger hiring intentions compared to three months positive Net Employment Outlooks, with employers in
ago. When compared to Quarter 1 2007, Outlooks Peru, Argentina and Costa Rica anticipating the strongest
improved in 10 countries and territories, and weakened hiring plans. In the United States, Quarter 1 job prospects
in 16. The strongest first-quarter hiring expectations are expected to remain relatively steady when
reported globally were in Peru, Singapore, India, compared to Quarter 4 2007, but hiring intentions are
Argentina, Costa Rica, Hong Kong and South Africa. slightly softer when compared to last year at this time.
Globally, employers in Ireland reported the least Outlooks in Asia Pacific have remained steady after a
optimistic hiring plans. healthy fourth quarter, with employers in Singapore and
India reporting the most optimistic Outlooks in the
region. In the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA)
region, six of 13 Outlooks softened from three months
ago, and the majority of the region’s employers are
reporting slightly weaker Outlooks compared to Quarter
1 2007. However, when combined with the optimistic
forecasts from Dutch, French and Italian employers, the
Outlooks indicate that many labor markets in Europe
should still start the year on a confident note.
Survey Respondents by Region

Research for the Quarter 1 2008 Manpower
Employment Outlook Survey involved surveying nearly
52,000 human resource directors and senior hiring
managers from public and private organizations
worldwide. 43% of the respondents came from six
countries in the Americas; 33% from eight countries
Asia Pacific and territories across Asia Pacific; and 24% from
Americas 33%
13 countries in EMEA.
43%
EMEA
24%
14
International Comparisons – improved in three of the six countries when compared
to Quarter 1 2007.
Americas Employers in Peru, Argentina and Costa Rica are the
Nearly 23,000 interviews have been conducted across most optimistic about hiring in the next three months.
Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and the Mexican employers continue to report a healthy Outlook,
United States to measure anticipated hiring activity for similar to that of the first quarter 2007. The pace of
Quarter 1 2008. hiring in the United States is expected to be slightly
weaker from one year ago, while Canadian employers
Employers across the six countries surveyed in the
anticipate the strongest first quarter hiring activity
region are reporting varying degrees of positive hiring
in seven years.
activity. Outlooks weakened slightly in four of the six
countries when compared to Quarter 4 2007, but
Argentina Canada
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
Net Employment Outlook Seasonally Adjusted Outlook Net Employment Outlook
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Argentina joined the survey in Q1 2007.
Costa Rica Mexico

50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Costa Rica joined the survey in Q3 2006.
Peru USA
60 50
50 40
40 30
30
20
20
10
10
0
0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Peru joined the survey in Q2 2006. 15

International Comparisons – reporting the strongest hiring plans, while employers

in Taiwan and China are reporting the region’s weakest
Asia Pacific hiring expectations. New Zealand’s Outlook remains
strong, although the country’s employers are reporting
Nearly 17,000 interviews have been conducted across
the least optimistic Outlook since the New Zealand
the Asia Pacific region to measure anticipated hiring
survey began in 2004.
activity between January and March 2008.
Regionally, employers in six of eight countries and
Hiring across the eight countries and territories
territories indicate that they will slow the pace of hiring
surveyed is expected to be positive, although first
compared to last year at this time. Outlooks improved
quarter recruiting is typically slower in many of these
from Quarter 4 2007 in four countries and territories.
labor markets. Employers in Singapore and India are
Australia China
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
Seasonally Adjusted Outlook Net Employment Outlook Net Employment Outlook
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
China joined the survey in Q2 2005.
Hong Kong India

50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
India joined the survey in Q3 2005.
Japan New Zealand

50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
Seasonally Adjusted Outlook Net Employment Outlook Seasonally Adjusted Outlook Net Employment Outlook
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
New Zealand joined the survey in Q2 2004.

16
Singapore Taiwan
60 50
50 40
40 30
30 20
20 10
10 0
0 -10
-10 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Taiwan joined the survey in Q2 2005.
17
International Comparisons – Employers in Norway, Netherlands, Spain, Germany,

Sweden and the United Kingdom are reporting the
EMEA region’s strongest first quarter hiring expectations.
Notably, Dutch, French and Italian employers plan to
Over 12,000 interviews have been conducted with
increase the pace of hiring from both Quarter 4 2007
employers across 13 EMEA countries to measure
and this time last year, and are reporting their most
anticipated hiring activity for Quarter 1 2008.
optimistic Outlooks since the survey began in their
Employers across the region continue to report countries in Quarter 3 2003. Conversely, employers in
varying degrees of positive hiring activity, although eight Ireland are forecasting the country’s weakest hiring
of the 13 countries are reporting less optimistic Net pace in four years.
Employment Outlooks compared to Quarter 1 2007.
Austria Belgium
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
France Germany
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Ireland Italy
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
18
Netherlands Norway
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
South Africa Spain

50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
South Africa joined the survey in Q4 2006.
Sweden Switzerland
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Switzerland joined the survey in Q3 2005.

No bar indicates Net Employment Outlook of zero.
UK
50
40
30
20
10
-10
-20
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
19
About the Survey Survey Question

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted All employers participating in the survey worldwide are asked
quarterly to measure employers’ intentions to increase or the same question, “How do you anticipate total employment
decrease the number of employees in their workforces during at your location to change in the three months to the end of
the next quarter. The survey has been running for more than March 2008 as compared to the current quarter?”
40 years and is one of the most trusted surveys of
Net Employment Outlook
employment activity in the world. Various factors underpin the
Throughout this report, we use the term “Net Employment
success of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey:
Outlook”. This figure is derived by taking the percentage of
Unique: It is unparalleled in its size, scope, longevity and area
employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and
of focus.
subtracting from this the percentage of employers that expect to
Projective: The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is the see a decrease in employment at their location in the next
most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the quarter. The result of this calculation is the Net Employment
world, asking employers to forecast employment over the Outlook.
next quarter. In contrast, other surveys and studies focus on
retrospective data to report on what occurred in the past. Seasonal Adjustment
Focused: For more than four decades, the survey has derived Seasonal adjustments have been applied to the data for
all of its information from a single question. Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany,
Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands,
Independent: The survey is conducted with a representative
New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden,
sample of employers from throughout the countries in which it
United Kingdom and the United States to provide additional
is conducted. The survey participants are not derived from
insight into the survey data. These adjustments make it
Manpower’s customer base.
possible to review the data without the employment fluctuations
Robust: The survey is based on interviews with nearly
that normally occur at the same time each year, thus providing
52,000 public and private employers across 27 countries and
a clearer picture of the data over time. Manpower intends to
territories to measure anticipated employment trends each
add seasonal adjustments to the data for other countries in
quarter.This sample allows for analysis to be performed across
the future, as more historical data is compiled.
specific sectors and regions to provide more detailed information.
Methodology
The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted
using a validated methodology, in accordance with the highest
standards in market research. The research team for the
27 countries and territories where the survey is currently
conducted includes Manpower’s Market Intelligence team; the
Organization Research and Analysis Division of Right
Management Consultants – an independent operating division
of Manpower Inc.; NOP World, Grupo IDM, DATUM Research
and SEL Consultores. The survey has been structured to be
representative of each national economy. The margin of error for
all national, regional and global data is not greater than +/- 3.9%.
In the United States, the national survey is conducted by
Manpower’s North American Market Intelligence Team and
includes 14,000 employers. With this number of interviews,
the margin of error for the United States survey is +/- 0.8%.
20
History of the Survey About Manpower Inc.
1962 1st generation of the Manpower Employment Outlook Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the
Survey launched in the United States and Canada. employment services industry; creating and delivering services
1966 Manpower’s UK operation launches the equivalent of that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work.
the United States survey, naming the report the Quarterly The $18 billion company offers employers a range of services
Survey of Employment Prospects. The survey adopts for the entire employment and business cycle including
the same forward-looking research format as the United permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee
States survey and is the first of its kind in Europe. assessment and selection; training; outplacement;
1976 2nd generation of Manpower’s Employment Outlook outsourcing and consulting. Manpower’s worldwide network
Survey launched in the United States and Canada. of 4,400 offices in 73 countries and territories enables the
Research methodology is updated to evolve with company to meet the needs of its 400,000 clients per year,
advancements in the field of market research. including small and medium size enterprises in all industry
sectors, as well as the world’s largest multinational corporations.
2002 Manpower UK’s Quarterly Survey of Employment
The focus of Manpower’s work is on raising productivity
Prospects is updated to adopt an enhanced research
through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction across
methodology. Manpower’s operations in Mexico and
their total workforce, enabling clients to concentrate on their
Ireland launch the survey in their respective countries.
core business activities. Manpower Inc. operates under five
2003 3rd generation of the Manpower Employment Outlook
brands: Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan, Jefferson
Survey is launched, expanding the program to a total
Wells and Right Management. More information on Manpower
18 countries and territories worldwide: Australia,
Inc. is available at www.manpower.com.
Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong
Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands,
Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
and United States.
2004 Manpower operations in New Zealand launch the
About Manpower USA
In the United States, Manpower offers businesses a range
Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
of HR services, in addition to providing administrative,
2005 Manpower operations in China, India, Switzerland and industrial and contact center personnel. Under the
Taiwan launch the Manpower Employment Outlook Manpower Professional brand, the company places
Survey. contract professionals on assignment in areas such as
2006 Manpower operations in Costa Rica, Peru and South information technology, scientific, finance, engineering and
Africa joined the survey program. Surveys in Australia, telecommunications. More information about Manpower’s
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, US operation can be found at www.us.manpower.com.
Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore,
Spain and Sweden add seasonally adjusted data in the
third quarter.
2007 Manpower operations in Argentina launch the Manpower
Employment Outlook Survey. The survey in New Zealand
adds seasonally adjusted data in the first quarter.
Manpower Inc., 100 Manpower Place, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA
Tel: 414 961 1000
www.us.manpower.com
© 2007, Manpower Inc. All rights reserved.

Manpower Employment Outlook Survey: United States - Q1, 2008

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Manpower Employment Outlook Survey: United States - Q1, 2008

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Q1 2008

A Manpower Research Report

United States Employment Outlook 1

Global Employment Outlook 13

About the Survey 20

total employment at your anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting

Net Employment Seasonally

Net Employment Seasonally

Net Employment Seasonally

Northeast +8 (14)% Compared to the previous quarter, Durable Goods

Net Employment Seasonally

Net Employment Seasonally

Net Employment Seasonally

Net Employment Outlook Seasonally Adjusted Outlook

During the January – March period, hiring plans are

Job seekers in the South are likely to find the most

Among Finance/Insurance/Real Estate employers, hiring

Manufacturing – Durable Goods

For the first quarter, hiring is expected to be most

Manufacturing – Non-Durable Goods

For the January – March period, employers in the West

Mining +23 (25)%

In the Mining sector, hiring is expected to be most

Job seekers are likely to find the strongest hiring market

Services +16 (20)%

Among the regions, employers in the West reveal the

Transportation & Public Utilities

Those seeking Transportation/Public Utilities jobs are

Wholesale & Retail Trade +3 (19)%

Employers in the West report the strongest job

Net Employment Outlook Qtr on Qtr Change Yr on Yr Change

Net Employment Outlook Qtr on Qtr Change Yr on Yr Change

Net Employment Outlook Qtr on Qtr Change Yr on Yr Change

Survey Respondents by Region

Argentina joined the survey in Q1 2007.

Costa Rica Mexico

Costa Rica joined the survey in Q3 2006.

Peru joined the survey in Q2 2006. 15

International Comparisons – reporting the strongest hiring plans, while employers

China joined the survey in Q2 2005.

Hong Kong India

India joined the survey in Q3 2005.

Japan New Zealand

New Zealand joined the survey in Q2 2004.

Taiwan joined the survey in Q2 2005.

International Comparisons – Employers in Norway, Netherlands, Spain, Germany,

South Africa Spain

South Africa joined the survey in Q4 2006.

Switzerland joined the survey in Q3 2005.

About the Survey Survey Question

© 2007, Manpower Inc. All rights reserved.

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