The Canadian job market may be heating up, according to the Canadian Professional Employment Forecast from Robert Half. According to the report, 23 percent of Canadian chief financial officers said their companies will be creating new jobs in the next six months. Fifty-five percent of finance executives surveyed said they will be maintaining personnel levels, hiring only to fill vacated positions; 15 percent of respondents will not be hiring, even to fill an open position; and 5 percent plan to reduce staff levels.

The survey results also suggest organizations looking to add staff may face difficulties, with 55 percent of CFOs reporting it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today. Employers also  appear to be negotiating more frequently with top job candidates: 33 percent of respondents said they're more willing to negotiate salaries than they were 12 months ago, compared to only 10 percent who are less willing.

“Executives have a positive outlook for their companies' growth prospects and are looking to expand their teams,” said Greg Scileppi, president of Robert Half, International Staffing Operations. “Demand for professional-level candidates is expected to continue outpacing the supply for talent, however, as challenges filling positions with applicants who possess the necessary skills persist.”