Looking toward the final months of the year, 11 percent of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report said they expect to increase the number of full-time staff they employ in professional occupations during the fourth quarter.

Five percent anticipate declines, resulting in a net 6 percent increase in hiring activity, up three points from the third-quarter forecast.

Executives' business optimism level remains high: 86 percent of respondents expressed at least some confidence in the growth prospects for their companies, rising slightly from 85 percent reported in the third-quarter survey.

The number of executives citing recruiting challenges also rose, climbing from 42 percent in the third quarter to 47 percent.
 
Eighty-six percent of executives also said they are at least somewhat confident in their organizations' ability to grow in the fourth quarter, including 39 percent who are very confident.

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