Manpower says employment picture is sound

Manpower should know, they are everywhere.

MILWAUKEE, March 9 (UPI) -- Private U.S. staffing firm Manpower Inc. said Tuesday that prospects for job hunters should improve in the second quarter.

In a recent survey, 73 percent of employers indicated they would keep staff levels unchanged in the second quarter, Manpower said. In addition, employers in 12 out of 13 industry sectors indicated positive Net Employment Outlooks for April through June, "meaning employers in most industry sectors plan to add staff during the second quarter," Manpower said.

"We continue to see encouraging signs in hiring activity in the United States," said Manpower Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Joerres in a statement.