Oct 12, 2005 6:06 AM, PROMO Xtra

Direct marketing companies are planning to hire more workers this fall than at any time since 2001.

In fact, 80% of companies plan to beef up staff before the end of the year, according to the latest direct marketing employment survey by Bernhart Associates Executive Search, LLC.

"Database analytics have been category leaders all year and they still lead the way among the jobs that will be in highest demand during the fourth quarter, followed closely by sales and customer service, said Jerry Bernhart, president of Bernhart Associates, LLC, Owatonna, MN.

Only 9% of companies reported hiring freezes, a record low. As for layoffs, 6% of respondents said they plan to reduce headcount before the end of the year, up from 2% during the summer.

A total of 86 direct marketing companies participated in the survey, which was e-mailed the first week of October.

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