98 Hiring Expectations Strong

The job outlook for the first three months of 1998 is the strongest ever for a first quarter in 21 years, says Manpower Inc. Its survey of employers' hiring plans for the first quarter of 1988 found that "with the exception of seasonal slowdowns, nearly every industry is still trying to find people," says Manpower CEO Mitchell Fromstein. Indeed, almost 25% of the 16,000 businesses surveyed by Manpower are seeking additional workers, and only 10% foresee staff cutbacks. The strong hiring will be in manufacturing. More than 32% of durable goods manufacturing and 26% of non-durable goods manufacturing plan to seek additional workers in early 1998.