More employers plan to add full-time permanent workers in the fourth quarter compared to the same period last year, according to CareerBuilder's fourth-quarter 2014 US job forecast released today. The survey found 29 percent of employers plan to add full-time, permanent headcount in the fourth quarter, up from the 25 percent who planned to hire in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The survey also found hiring rose when looking back at the third quarter. Thirty-four percent of employers added full-time, permanent headcount in the third quarter; that’s up from 28 percent from the third quarter of last year. Only 10 percent decreased headcount in the quarter, an improvement from 11 percent in the third quarter of last year.

In addition, the survey found 26 percent of employers planned to hire seasonal employees in the fourth quarter with 42 percent planning to transition some seasonal staff into full-time, permanent employees.

Among retailers, 43 percent plan to hire seasonal employees in the fourth quarter.

“After experiencing incremental improvements over the past few years," said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. “The jobs outlook for Q4 is now more in line with pre-recession forecasts as employers cast a greater vote of confidence in both permanent and seasonal hiring. What’s also encouraging is that recruitment plans for small businesses with more than 50 employees are keeping pace with larger organizations. We’ll continue to see a spotlight on jobs and wages in the upcoming elections and beyond as we strive for an even stronger employment environment in 2015.”

Popular seasonal positions companies will be recruiting for in the fourth quarter include:

• Customer service: 40 percent
• Administrative/clerical: 15 percent
• Shipping/delivery: 13 percent
• Accounting/finance: 12 percent
• Inventory management: 12 percent

The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder among 2,203 hiring managers and human resource professionals. The survey was conducted between Aug. 11 and Sept. 5, 2014.