manpower employment outlook survey: united states - q3, 2007

8/9/2019 Manpower Employment Outlook Survey: United States - Q3, 2007

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Manpower

EmploymentOutlook SurveyUnited States

A Manpower Research Report

Q

32007


2/24

Contents

United States Employment Outlook 1Regional ComparisonsSector Comparisons

Global Employment Outlook 13International Comparisons Americas

International Comparisons Asia Pacific

International Comparisons EMEA

About the Survey 20

About Manpower 21

Q3/0

7Manpower Employment Outlook Survey United States


3/24

More than 14,000 interviewshave been conducted withemployers across theUnited States to measureanticipated employmenttrends between July andSeptember 2007.

All participants were asked,How do you anticipatetotal employment at yourlocation to change in thethree months to the endof September 2007 ascompared to the current

quarter?

Among the U.S. employers surveyed, 29% foresee an

increase in hiring activity, and 7% expect a decline instaff levels during Quarter 3 2007. Fifty-eight percent

anticipate no change in the hiring pace, while 6% are

undecided about their July September hiring plans.

According to the seasonally adjusted survey results, the

Quarter 3 hiring pace is expected to remain unchanged

from the April June period. This stability comes after

three consecutive quarters of slight declines in employer

confidence levels. This trend is apparent in the year-

over-year comparison, which shows that employers

were slightly more optimistic about staffing plans oneyear ago.

Please note that throughout this report, the figure used

in all graphs is the Net Employment Outlook. This

figure is derived by taking the percentage of employers

anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting

from this the percentage of employers that expect to

see a decrease in employment at their location in the

next quarter.

United States Employment Outlook

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

Net Employment OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Increase Decrease No Change Dont KnowNet Employment

Outlook

Seasonally

Adjusted

% % % % % %

3rdQuarter2006 31 6 57 6 25 21

4thQuarter2006 28 8 58 6 20 20

1stQuarter2007 23 11 60 6 12 19

2ndQuarter2007 28 7 59 6 21 18

3rd Quarter 2007 29 7 58 6 22 18

The results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey in the United States include Puerto Rico.

1


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Manpower Employment Outlook Survey United States

Employers in six of the 10 industry sectors surveyed

anticipate relatively stable hiring activity compared to

three months ago, according to the seasonally adjusted

survey results. This includes employers in Construction,

Durable and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing,

Transportation/Public Utilities, Finance/Insurance/Real

Estate and Services. Education employers are the only

group anticipating a slightly more positive hiring trend in

Quarter 3 versus Quarter 2 2007. Those in the Mining,

Wholesale/Retail Trade and Public Administration

sectors foresee more modest hiring activity for the

coming quarter.

Compared to the April June period, employers in theMidwest and South expect to maintain a similar hiring

pace for Quarter 3. Those in the Northeast anticipate

slightly weaker labor market conditions in the next

three months, while a slightly improved hiring pace

is predicted for the West.

A comparison of regional hiring activity shows thatemployers in the West predict the most rapid hiring

pace, while those in the Northeast report the countrys

most conservative hiring plans.

Employers in most industries are less inclined to add

staff than they were a year ago at this time. Hiring plans

have tapered off in the Construction, Wholesale/Retail

Trade and Finance/Insurance/Real Estate sectors. To a

lesser degree, hiring is also expected to slow down in

the Durable Goods Manufacturing, Services and Public

Administration sectors. Employers in Non-Durable

Goods Manufacturing, Transportation/Public Utilities

and Education are as optimistic about hiring for the

summer months of 2007 as they were one year ago,

while Mining employers forecast improved hiring plans.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally

AdjustedIncrease Decrease No Change Dont Know

% % % %%%

Construction 36 7 53 294 16Education 27 11 57 16 175

Finance,Insurance & RealEstate 22 6 67 5 16 16

Manufacturing Durables 30 9 56 5 21 18

ManufacturingNon-Durables 29 8 58 5 1821

Mining 31 5 55 9 2426

PublicAdministration 24 7 61 17 148

Services 30 6 59 5 24 20

Transportation & PublicUtilities 26 6 61 7 20 18

Wholesale & RetailTrade 30 7 57 6 23 17

Attheoverallnationallevel,themarginoferroronthedatais +/0.8%.

Net Employment SeasonallyIncrease Decrease No Change Dont Know

Outlook Adjusted

% % % %

Midwest

Northeast 27 8 59 6 19 15

29 7 59 5 22 19

27 7 61 5 20 16

SouthWest 36 8 48 8 28 24

% %


5/243

Regional ComparisonsMidwest +20 (16)%

Twenty-seven percent of employers in the Midwest plan

to increase staff levels, while 7% foresee a decline inpayrolls, which results in a solid Net Employment

Outlook of+20%. According to the seasonally adjusted

data, hiring activity is expected to be similar to Quarter 2

projections, but slightly slower than it was one year ago.

Hiring intentions are varied among Midwest employers

in the 10 industry sectors surveyed. Education and

Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing employers report

improved job prospects for Quarter 3, while those

in Construction, Durable Goods Manufacturing,

Transportation/Public Utilities and Services foresee

little change in the hiring pace. Wholesale/Retail Trade,

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate, Public Administration

and Mining employers anticipate weaker hiring trends.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %

All Industries 27 7 61 5 20 16

Construction 40 7 50 3 33 14

Education 1123 60 6 12 15


ManufacturingDurables 29 10 57 4 19 16

ManufacturingNon-Durables 29 7 59 5 22 19

Mining 0 0 100 0 -110

PublicAdministration 18 8 69 5 10 7

Services 25 6 64 5 19 15

Transportation & PublicUtilities 24 674 5 20 16


89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

The Midwest Region comprises the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South

Dakota, Wisconsin.


6/244


Northeast +19 (15)%

In the Northeast, 27% of employers intend to increase

the hiring pace, while 8% expect to decrease staff

levels, thus the Net Employment Outlook is a respectable

+19%. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the surveyresults indicate a moderate decrease in employer

confidence regarding hiring, a decline that positions the

Northeast as the region with the weakest hiring plans.

In a quarter-over-quarter comparison, employer sentiment

in six of the 10 industry sectors is less optimistic.

This includes the Construction, Wholesale/Retail Trade,

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate, Services, Public

Administration and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing

sectors. The hiring pace is expected to remain unchanged

in the Durable Goods Manufacturing and Transportation/

Public Utilities sectors, while Education and Mining

employers anticipate stronger demand for staff.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %



Education 822 68 2 14 16




Mining 25 0 75 0 3525


Services 27 6 63 4 21 15



89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

The Northeast Region comprises the following states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,

Rhode Island, Vermont.


7/245

South +22 (19)%

In the South, 29% of employers surveyed anticipate an

uptick in payrolls during the July September period,

while 7% plan to reduce staff levels, resulting in a healthy

Net Employment Outlook of+22%. When seasonalvariations are removed from the data, the employment

picture is relatively stable in the South versus Quarter 2.

However, a year-over-year comparison reveals a cooling

trend, as employer confidence levels are weaker for

Quarter 3 2007.

Hiring intentions are stable compared to Quarter 2 in the

Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, Services and Public

Administration sectors. Employers are slightly less

optimistic about their staffing plans for Quarter 3 in the

Mining, Durable Goods Manufacturing, Wholesale/Retail

Trade, Finance/Insurance/Real Estate and Education

sectors. A more noticeable slow down in hiring is

anticipated for the Construction and

Transportation/Public Utilities sectors.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %



Education 1132 53 4 21 20




Mining 27 7 57 9 1920


Services 31 7 57 5 24 22



89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

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.


8/246


West +28 (24)%

Thirty-six percent of employers surveyed in the West

are likely to increase staff levels, while 8% expect to

trim payrolls during Quarter 3. This creates a robust Net

Employment Outlook of+28%. According to seasonallyadjusted survey results, the hiring pace is expected to be

up slightly from Quarter 2 and on par with expectations

from one year ago. Employers in the West express the

strongest hiring intentions when compared with the

three other regions surveyed.

Among the 10 sectors surveyed, increased optimism

about hiring is reported by those in the Construction,

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate, Durable and Non-

Durable Goods Manufacturing, Transportation/Public

Utilities, Education and Services. The hiring pace is

expected to soften in the Wholesale/Retail Trade,

Mining and Public Administration sectors.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %



Education 1531 49 5 16 20




Mining 50 0 36 14 4350


Services 41 7 44 8 34 30



89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

The West Region comprises the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,

Washington, Wyoming.


9/247

Sector ComparisonsAccording to seasonally adjusted survey data, employers

in the Mining sector express the most confidence about

hiring prospects for Quarter 3 2007. Services employers

anticipate solid hiring plans while employer confidence

is more modest in the Durable and Non-Durable Goods

Manufacturing, Transportation/Public Utilities, Wholesale/

Retail Trade, Construction, Finance/Insurance/Real Estate

and Education sectors. Public Administration employers

are the least optimistic about their third quarter hiring

plans, as compared with the other sectors.

Construction

Education

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

Manufacturing Durables

Manufacturing Non-Durables

Mining

Public Administration

Services

Transportation & Public Utilities

Wholesale & Retail Trade

16

16

16

17

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

2624

1714

24

18

20

2317

1821

21

20

18

16

Net Employment Outlook Seasonally Adjusted Outlook

29


10/248


Construction +29 (16)%

After five quarters of decline, the hiring pace in the

Construction sector is expected to stabilize. According

to seasonally adjusted data, employer hiring intentions

for the July through September period are expected tobe identical to Quarter 2. However, year-over-year

comparisons show a moderate decline in staffing plans.

The strongest job prospects are reported in the

Northeast, while employers in the Midwest express the

weakest hiring intentions.

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-10

25

-5

0

5

10

15

20

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


Education +16 (17)%

Employer optimism in the Education sector for the July

through September period is slightly stronger than in

Quarter 2, according to seasonally adjusted survey results.

Hiring plans for Quarter 3 2007 are similar to a year ago at

this time.

Job seekers are likely to find the most promising job

prospects in the West and South and the weakest hiring

plans among employers in the Midwest.


11/249

0

25

5

10

15

20

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

2530

35

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


Finance, Insurance &Real Estate+16 (16)%

The hiring pace in the Finance/Insurance/Real Estate

sector for the July through September period is expected

to be similar to Quarter 2, according to seasonally

adjusted survey data. However, hiring expectations

are moderately weaker than a year ago at this time

and have trended downward since Quarter 4 2006.

Those seeking Finance/Insurance/Real Estate jobs are

likely to find the strongest employment activity in the

West, and employers in the Northeast to be more

reserved about adding staff than any other region.

Manufacturing Durable Goods+21 (18)%

For the July September period, Durable Goods

Manufacturers expect hiring activity similar to Quarter 2,

according to seasonally adjusted survey results. Employer

optimism, which started to soften in early 2007, is slightly

weaker than a year ago at this time.

Employers in the West report the strongest job prospects,

while those in the Midwest have the weakest hiring

intentions.


12/2410


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-10

35

-5

0

5

10

15

20

2530

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


Manufacturing Non-Durable Goods+21 (18)%

Hiring activity is expected to remain stable in the Non-

Durable Goods Manufacturing sector for the July through

September period, as it has for the past nine quarters,

according to seasonally adjusted survey data. The

anticipated hiring pace is identical to Quarter 2 and

a year ago at this time.

Employers in the West express the strongest hiring

intentions, while the weakest job prospects are

reported in the Northeast.

Mining +26 (24)%

Confidence about hiring among Mining employers is

expected to decline slightly for Quarter 3 2007, according

to seasonally adjusted data. However, Mining employers

forecast the strongest hiring activity among the 10

industry sectors surveyed, and the hiring pace for the

July through September period is moderately stronger

than the same period one year ago.

Regional hiring patterns show that employers in the

West report the strongest job prospects, while Midwest

companies report the weakest hiring intentions.


13/2411

-10

30

-5

0

510

15

20

25

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


Public Administration +17 (14)%

Employer optimism in the Public Administration sector is

expected to decline slightly during Quarter 3, making it the

weakest among the 10 industry sectors surveyed,

according to seasonally adjusted results. The hiring pacefor the July September period is also slightly weaker than

the same period a year ago.

Employers in the West report the strongest hiring intentions,

while those in the Northeast are the most conservative

about adding staff.

Services +24 (20)%

For Quarter 3 2007, stable hiring activity is anticipated

among Services employers, according to seasonally

adjusted data. However, employers foresee slightly

softer hiring intentions compared with the same period

a year ago.

Employers in the West report the most upbeat hiring

plans, while employers in the Midwest and Northeast

express the weakest hiring plans.


14/2412


-10

25

-5

0

5

10

15

20

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-15

35

-10-505

1015202530

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


Transportation &Public Utilities+20 (18)%

Hiring intentions remain relatively stable among

Transportation/Public Utilities employers for Quarter 3.

When seasonal variations are removed from the data,

employers expect little change in the hiring pace from

Quarter 2 and from the same period a year ago.

Employers in the West are most likely to add staff,

while those in the South are least likely to hire.

Wholesale &Retail Trade +23 (17)%

According to seasonally adjusted survey results,

Wholesale/ Retail Trade employers are slightly less

optimistic about hiring plans for Quarter 3. Hiring intentions

are slightly weaker on a quarter-to-quarter comparison

and moderately weaker versus one year ago.

Regional hiring patterns show that employers in the

West and South expect to offer the most promising job

prospects while those in the Midwest are the most

reserved about hiring.


15/2413

Nearly 52,000 employers have been interviewed across

27countries and territories to measure anticipatedemployment trends* between July and September 2007.

Positive third-quarter hiring is expected in all 27countries

and territories surveyed with employers in Germany

and Norway reporting their most optimistic hiring planssince the survey began in these countries.

* Comments in this section are based on seasonally adjusted datawhere available.

Global Employment Outlook

Americas

Asia Pacific

Australia

China

HongKong

Japan

India

New Zealand

Singapore

Taiwan

EMEA*

Austria

Belgium

France

GermanyIreland

Netherlands

Norway

Spain

UK

Italy

Switzerland

Sweden

Net Employment Outlook



Quarter 3 2007

Quarter 3 2007

Quarter 3 2007

Quarter 2 2007

Quarter 2 2007

Quarter 2 2007

21

%

10(7)1

7(8)1

5 (5)1

12(10)1

10(11)1

17

%

%

31(29)1

45 (26)1

32(29)1

24(24)1

31

53(54)1

19

18 (19)1

17(14)1

15 (12)1

15 (11)1

14(13)1

7(6)1

18

%

12(10)1

8 (6)1

6(6)1

14(13)1

9(10)1

11

%

%

24(26)1

16(21)1

24(27)1

23(20)1

39

51(48)1

14

11(8)1

25 (22)1

13(10)1

16(12)1

15 (14)1

6(4)1

25 (17)1

22(19)1

48

28 (18)1

19(19)1

48

Qtr on Qtr Change

Q2 2007 to Q3 2007

Qtr on Qtr Change

Q2 2007 to Q3 2007

Qtr on Qtr Change

Q2 2007 to Q3 2007

-3

2(3)1

1(-2)1

1(1)1

2(3)1

-1(-1)1

-6

-7(-3)1

-29(-5)1

-8 (-2)1

-1(-4)1

8

-2(-6)1

-5

-7(-11)1

8 (8)1

-2(-2)1

1(1)1

1(1)1

-1(-2)1

12

-2(-1)1

-5 (-5)1

2(2)1

13(14)1

5 (6)1

6

9(10)1

-3(-3)1

5 (5)1

-7(-7)1

-4

37(37)1

-9

-11(-10)1

9(8)1

-3(-2)1

5 (4)1

2(2)1

4(4)1

Yr on Yr Change

Q3 2006 to Q3 2007

Yr on Yr Change

Q3 2006 to Q3 2007

Yr on Yr Change

Q3 2006 to Q3 2007

*EMEAEurope,MiddleEastandAfrica.1.NumberinparenthesesistheNetEmploymentOutlookwhenadjustedtoremoveseasonalvariations.

Quarter 3 2006

%

Quarter 3 2006

%

15 (16)1

23

5

6

43

30(27)1

19(24)1

19(22)1

14(11)1

Quarter 3 2006

%

14(11)1

13(11)1

4(4)1

1(-1)1

22(18)1

4(4)1

16(14)1

16(12)1South Africa 34 19 -15

11(8)1

13(12)1

2(0)1

29(19)1

19(18)1CostaRica 20 22 2 -224

16

United States 21 (18)1 22 (18)1 1 (0)1 -3 (-3)125 (21)1

Canada

Mexico

Peru

3(1)1

-3(0)1

0

-1(-1)135 32 Argentina -3

0(1)1

32


16/2414


Employers in 15 countries and territories are reporting

weaker hiring plans compared to the second quarter,

while those in 14 are reporting stronger hiring expectations

compared to this time last year. Third-quarter U.S. job

prospects are expected to remain stable, but are softer

when compared to Quarter 3 2006. Meanwhile, the

Asia Pacific labor market is expected to cool from three

months ago. A notable exception is India, where

employer demand has bounced back after a dip

reported in Quarter 2.

The strongest third-quarter hiring prospects reported

globally were in Singapore, Peru, India, Argentina,

New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Costa Rica, Japan

and Hong Kong. Conversely, employers in Italy, Belgium

and France reported the weakest job prospects.

Regionally, employers in the Americas continue to report

positive Net Employment Outlooks, with those in Peru

reporting the strongest hiring plans. Hiring expectations

in Asia Pacific remain healthy, as employers in Singapore

again report the most optimistic Outlook in the region.

In the Europe, Middle East &Africa (EMEA) region, all

13 countries surveyed report positive hiring activity for

Quarter 3 2007. Hiring intentions in Germany remain

strong, continuing the upward trend first reported in the

fourth quarter of 2006.

Asia Pacific33%

EMEA23%

Americas44%

Survey Respondents by Region

Research for the Quarter 3 2007 Manpower

Employment Outlook Survey involved surveying nearly

52,000 human resources directors and senior hiring

managers from public and private organizations

worldwide. 44% of respondents came from six

countries in the Americas; 33% from eight countries

and territories across Asia Pacific; and 23% from

13 countries in EMEA.


17/2415

International Comparisons AmericasNearly 23,000 interviews have been conducted across

Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and theUnited States to measure employment prospects for

Quarter 3 2007.

The data indicates that job prospects in the U.S.,

Canada and Mexico should hold steady in the next

three months as these three labor markets appear to

be moving in unison. Slightly weaker hiring activity

is expected in Argentina and Mexico compared to

Quarter 2 2007.

Compared to Quarter 3 2006, Outlooks are relatively

stable in Canada and Mexico; slightly weaker in CostaRica and the U.S.; but notably improved in Peru.

Employers in Peru and Argentina are the most optimistic

about adding to their workforces in the quarter ahead.

The Outlook for Mexico remains one of the most optimistic

since the survey was established in the country.

ArgentinajoinedthesurveyinQ12007.

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Net Employment OutlookNet Employment Outlook

Argentina50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Net Employment OutlookNet Employment OutlookSeasonally Adjusted OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

Canada

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

CostaRicajoinedthesurveyinQ32006.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


PerujoinedthesurveyinQ22006.

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Costa Rica50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Mexico

Peru

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


USA


18/2416


Japan

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Net Employment OutlookNet Employment OutlookSeasonally Adjusted OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook Seasonally Adjusted OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

New ZealandjoinedthesurveyinQ22004.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


New Zealand

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20Seasonally Adjusted OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

ChinajoinedthesurveyinQ22005.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

IndiajoinedthesurveyinQ32005.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Australia China

Hong Kong India

International Comparisons Asia PacificOver 17,000 interviews have been conducted across

the Asia Pacific region to measure anticipated hiringactivity between July and September of 2007.

Net Employment Outlooks for the eight countries and

territories surveyed across the Asia Pacific region are

positive. However, with the exception of India, Outlooks

for seven of the eight are weaker when compared to

Quarter 2 2007. Compared to one year ago, employers

in Australia, China, New Zealand and Singapore are

reporting improved hiring plans. The strongest Outlooks

are reported in Singapore, India, New Zealand and

Australia, while employers in Taiwan expect to offer the

fewest employment opportunities.


19/2417

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

TaiwanjoinedthesurveyinQ22005.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Singapore Taiwan


20/2418


International Comparisons EMEANearly 12,000 interviews have been conducted with

employers across 13 EMEA countries to measureanticipated hiring activity for Quarter 3 2007.

Employers across the region continue to report varying

degrees of positive hiring activity.

Job prospects in the region are strongest in Norway,

South Africa, the UK, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland,

with employers in Germany and Norway reporting the

most optimistic Outlooks since the survey began in

these countries. Italian employers reported the weakest

but still positive hiring expectations in the region.

With the exception of the weaker Outlook in Ireland and

stronger employer hiring plans in Norway, hiring shouldremain relatively steady from Quarter 2 across Europe.

Employers in Ireland expect to slow hiring considerably

from both three months ago and Quarter 3 2006. On a

year-over-year basis, employers in eight European

countries anticipate increasing the pace of hiring.

Ireland Italy50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Austria Belgium

France Germany


21/2419

Spain

Switzerland

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Norway

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

SwitzerlandjoinedthesurveyinQ32005.NobarindicatesNetEmploymentOutlookofzero.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


South Africa

Sweden

UK

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

SouthAfricajoinedthesurveyinQ42006.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Netherlands

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007



22/2420


About the SurveyThe Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted

quarterly to measure employers intentions to increase or

decrease the number of employees in their workforces during

the next quarter. The survey has been running for more than40 years and is one of the most trusted surveys of

employment activity in the world. Various factors underpin the

success of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey:

Unique: It is unparalleled in its size, scope, longevity and area

of focus.

Projective:The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is the

most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the

world, asking employers to forecast employment over the

next quarter. In contrast, other surveys and studies focus on

retrospective data to report on what occurred in the past.

Focused: For more than four decades, the survey has derivedall of its information from a single question.

Independent:The survey is conducted with a representative

sample of employers from throughout the countries in which it

is conducted. The survey participants are not derived from

Manpowers customer base.

Robust:The survey is based on interviews with nearly

52,000 public and private employers across 27 countries and

territories to measure anticipated employment trends each

quarter.This sample allows for analysis to be performed across

specific sectors and regions to provide more detailed information.

MethodologyThe 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 Manpowers 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

Manpowers 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%.

Survey QuestionAll employers participating in the survey worldwide are asked

the same question, How do you anticipate total employment

at your location to change in the three months to the end of

September 2007 as compared to the current quarter?

Net Employment OutlookThroughout this report, we use the term Net Employment

Outlook. This figure is derived by taking the percentage of

employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and

subtracting from this the percentage of employers that expect to

see a decrease in employment at their location in the next

quarter. The result of this calculation is the Net Employment

Outlook.

Seasonal AdjustmentSeasonal adjustments have been applied to the data for

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany,

Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands,

New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden,

United Kingdom and the United States to provide additional

insight into the survey data. These adjustments make it

possible to review the data without the employment fluctuations

that normally occur at the same time each year, thus providing

a clearer picture of the data over time. Manpower intends to

add seasonal adjustments to the data for other countries in

the future, as more historical data is compiled.


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History of the Survey1962 1st generation of the Manpower Employment Outlook

Survey launched in the United States and Canada.

1966 Manpowers UK operation launches the equivalent of

the United States survey, naming the report the QuarterlySurvey of Employment Prospects. The survey adopts

the same forward-looking research format as the United

States survey and is the first of its kind in Europe.

1976 2nd generation of Manpowers Employment Outlook

Survey launched in the United States and Canada.

Research methodology is updated to evolve with

advancements in the field of market research.

2002 Manpower UKs Quarterly Survey of Employment

Prospects is updated to adopt an enhanced research

methodology. Manpowers operations in Mexico and

Ireland launch the survey in their respective countries.

2003 3rd generation of the Manpower Employment Outlook

Survey is launched, expanding the program to a total

18 countries and territories worldwide: Australia,

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

Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

2005 Manpower operations in China, India, Switzerland and

Taiwan launch the Manpower Employment Outlook

Survey.

2006 Manpower operations in Costa Rica, Peru and South

Africa joined the survey program. Surveys in Australia,

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland,

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.

About Manpower Inc.Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the

employment services industry; creating and delivering services

that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work.

The $18 billion company offers employers a range of servicesfor the entire employment and business cycle including

permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee

assessment and selection; training; outplacement;

outsourcing and consulting. Manpowers worldwide network

of 4,400 offices in 73 countries and territories enables the

company to meet the needs of its 400,000 clients per year,

including small and medium size enterprises in all industry

sectors, as well as the worlds largest multinational corporations.

The focus of Manpowers work is on raising productivity

through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction across

their total workforce, enabling clients to concentrate on their

core business activities. Manpower Inc. operates under fivebrands: Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan, Jefferson

Wells and Right Management. More information on Manpower

Inc. is available at www.manpower.com.

About Manpower USAIn the United States, Manpower offers businesses a range

of HR services, in addition to providing administrative,

industrial and contact center personnel. Under the

Manpower Professional brand, the company placescontract professionals on assignment in areas such as

information technology, scientific, f inance, engineering and

telecommunications. More information about Manpowers

US operation can be found at www.us.manpower.com.


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Manpower Inc., 5301 N. Ironwood Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53217, USA

Tel: 414 961 1000

www.us.manpower.com

manpower employment outlook survey: united states - q3, 2007

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