More than three-quarters of executives plan no changes in staffing levels in the fourth quarter, according to a Robert Half survey of executives.

Twelve percent of executives say they plan to hire staff in the fourth quarter, while 5 percent expect to cut staff, for a net 7 percent planning staffing increases, up four points from the third-quarter forecast. Eighty-two percent say they anticipate no change in staff levels, down from 90 percent who said so three months ago.

Meanwhile, 59 percent of executives said it is challenging to find skilled professionals today, up 17 points from the third quarter. Forty-six percent of executives said they are “very confident” in their organizations’ ability to grow in the fourth quarter; the same number said they are “somewhat confident.”

Legal and marketing skills will be in most demand, with a net 24 percent and 20 percent hiring activity in the fourth quarter.

Expected net hiring activity by industry:

• Accounting and finance — 5 percent
• Advertising and marketing — 20 percent
• Human resources — 6 percent
• Information technology — 6 percent
• Legal — 24 percent
• Sales and business development — 11 percent