The number of area companies hiring permanent employees has dramatically risen in the past few months, indicating optimism among a wide range of businesses, according to area staffing firm The Career Finders.
  “Even though the economy seems to be improving, many companies are still laying off employees.  But there are pockets of companies, within certain industries, that are adding to staff,” says Ron Safier, managing partner of The Career Finders and 19-year veteran in the staffing industry.
   Though it assists companies in hiring temporary, temp-to-hire and permanent workers, The Career Finders says its permanent placements during the fourth quarter of 2009 exceeded those of 2008 and the first three quarters of 2009 combined.  The firm notes that they have seen an increase in permanent placements in the manufacturing, real estate and insurance industries.
   “Some of our clients are starting to see the need to hire permanent employees, they’re no longer as skittish as they’ve been,” Safier says.  “We’ve seen increased activity, not just with temporary placements but a significant number of permanent orders as well.”
  The Career Finders is experiencing growth along with local hiring practices, adding staff and opening new offices.  In addition to its offices in Mt. Laurel and King of Prussia, Pa., the firm opened a third office in Parsippany, N.J. in November, 2009.  The company’s placements overall rose 219 percent from 2008 to 2009, and its temporary placements doubled during the same time frame.