July 16, 2002

Demand For Mid-managers And Professionals On The Rise Again

Cleveland, (OH) – Although companies are not engaged in the frenzied competition for talent that characterized the period from 1997 through the first half of 2001, a resurgence in new hires seems to be underway. Mid-to-upper level managers, high-level executives, professionals, sales and marketing people and technical workers are in demand once again, according to the latest hiring survey conducted by Management Recruiters International, Inc. (MRI), the world's largest search and recruitment organization. MRI is a subsidiary of staffing and outsourcing leader CDI Corp. (NYSE:CDI).

Of the nearly 1,400 executives surveyed, 42.4 percent indicated plans to make additions to their staffs during the second half of 2002, up by 4 points from first half of 2002. Another 49.1 percent plan to maintain their current staff sizes, down by .2 of a point, and 8.5 percent plan decreases, down by 3.8 points.

MRI President and CEO Allen Salikof, commented, "Although the job market lags behind the recovering economy by a few months, forward-thinking companies are already preparing for increased demand for talent and anticipating shortages. For the managerial, professional and technical segment of the workforce, that means real opportunity."

West Leads the Nation in New Hires

Projected new hires are highest in the West, with 47.5 percent anticipating the addition of new staff, although all regions of the country report that a healthy number of companies are planning to add staff:

	% intend to increase hiring	% intend to maintain staff sizes	% intend to decrease staff sizes
West	47.5%	45.9%	6.6%
Southwest	46.3%	43.8%	10.0%
Mid Atlantic	45.9%	45.2%	8.9%
South Atlantic	42.9%	47.2%	9.9%
Midwest	42.3%	49.2%	8.5%
New England	41.4%	45.7%	12.9%
North Central	39.9%	52.9%	7.2%
South Central*	--	--	--

* Insufficient data

"Significant regional differences in projected new hires are a thing of the past," said Salikof. "Demand for talent is increasing, and it has more to do with demographics than economics. The combination of retiring baby boomers and fewer new entrants to the workforce means that people with the right skills will be greatly sought after."

Many of the Nation's Industries Anticipate Need for New Hires

A substantial number of companies within key industries indicate plans for new hires over the next six months. The percentage of the sample in each industry intending to increase, maintain and decrease hiring during the next six months is as follows:

Industry	Increase	Maintain	Decrease
Biotech/Biomedical	69.2%	26.8%	3.8%
Chemicals	57.9%	34.2%	7.9%
Food and Beverage	52.0%	44.0%	4.0%
Pharmaceuticals	48.9%	42.6%	8.5%
Consumer Goods/Products	48.0%	48.0%	4.0%
Healthcare	46.4%	50.0%	3.6%
Financial Services	46.2%	50.0%	3.8%
Insurance	43.5%	52.2%	4/3%
Telecommunications	42.5%	50.2%	7.3%
Information Technology	40.3%	46.8%	12.9%
Construction	37.5%	58.3%	4.2%
Medical Devices	37.5%	50.0%	12.5%
Metals	32.1%	60.7%	7.1%
Plastics	19.5%	75.6%	4.9%

"Companies recognize that the return of a tight labor market is very likely, especially in the life sciences and healthcare-related fields. The recent recession clouded candidate shortages for awhile, but in many key industries the situation may become even more critical than in was in 2000," said Salikof. "Savvy managers are making greater efforts at retention because they know that as employment opportunities increase, the flexibility to change jobs also increases."

Ongoing National Survey

This is the 49th in an ongoing series of polls conducted by Management Recruiters International, Inc. (MRI). The survey was conducted in accordance with the professional and ethical standards of the American Marketing Association and the Marketing Research Association.

Management Recruiters International, Inc. (www.BrilliantPeople.com), is the world's largest search and recruitment organization with more than 1,100 offices worldwide. Based in Cleveland, MRI has systemwide billings of $600 million and places 45,000 people in jobs annually. MRI is a subsidiary of staffing and outsourcing leader CDI Corp. (www.cdicorp.com). CDI Corp. helps clients in targeted vertical markets improve their profitability and efficiency by providing professional project outsourcing, specialized temporary staffing and permanent placement, allowing them to focus on their core competencies. With more than 50 years of experience and an extensive network of offices, technical professionals and recruiters, CDI Corporation is a preferred provider of engineering, information technology and workforce solutions for Fortune 1,000 companies.

For more information, contact:

CDI Corp.
Barbara Leary
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Tel: (215) 636-1133
E-mail: Barbara.Leary@cdicorp.com

Management Recruiters International, Inc. (MRI)
Karen Bloomfield
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
Tel: (216) 416-8398
E-mail: Karen.Bloomfield@BrilliantPeople.com

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