Hiring expectations have rebounded from six months ago when elevated uncertainty gripped the economy, according to a national survey conducted by Dice Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of specialized career websites for professional communities.

More than half (51%) of hiring managers and recruiters say they plan additional hiring during the second half of 2012, as compared to the first half of 2012.  This outcome is an improvement from expectations at year-end when 47 percent of hiring managers believed additional hiring would occur in the first half of 2012 and identical to respondents' expectations one year ago.

Hiring managers and recruiters appear to be seeing improvement in the environment.  More than a quarter (26%) said current conditions have sparked an increase in their companies' and clients' hiring plans, up from 21 percent six months ago.  While those curtailing hiring plans declined to 23 percent from 30 percent over the same time frame. 

"The tilt back toward optimism continues to support modest job growth, despite the slower gains of the last few months," said Scot Melland, Chairman, President and CEO of Dice Holdings, Inc.  "However, the moderate job creation doesn't appear to have instilled enough confidence for professionals to change employers easily.  We have yet to see the surge in turnover that typically accompanies more than two years of consistent job growth."

When asked six months ago, 41 percent of corporate hiring managers predicted more employees would be leaving their companies in 2012, as compared to 2011.  Five months into the year, just 36 percent of corporate hiring managers are actually experiencing that increase in voluntary departures.    

It may be taking more to attract qualified professionals; nearly half (47%) of hiring managers and recruiters said salaries for newly filled positions have increased from last year.  That compares to 45 percent of respondents who said the same about existing employees.

"When confidence in available career opportunities is high and mobility restored, the retention race will heat up.  Right now, it's more harness racing than triple crown," said Mr. Melland.   

The hiring cycle remains elongated, but it appears some hiring managers and recruiters have seen improvement in time-to-fill open positions.  About a quarter of respondents (24%) said the timelines for employee acquisition have shortened, as compared to just 15 percent six months ago.  Still, more hiring managers and recruiters (35%) said timelines are lengthening, relative to late last year.