Encouraging news about the economy may be easing fears of employers, as 20% of companies plan to add full-time permanent employees in 2010, up from 14% last year, according to a recent study from CareerBuilder.

Only 9% of companies say they plan to decrease headcount in 2010, down sharply from 16% in 2009; and 61% of employers say hiring will remain flat, while 10% say they are unsure of their plans, the study finds.

In addition––and as part of an overall strategy to move forward in the New Year––37% of employers say there will be an increased emphasis on social media in their companies to strengthen brand image. A slight uptick in the hiring of freelance or contract workers is also expected.

Below, additional findings from Career Builder's 2010 US Job Forecast.

Hiring by Region

Employers in the US West are planning to increase their headcounts more in 2010 than are other regions of the country. Nearly one-quarter of employers (24%) in the West say they plan to add full-time workers in 2010, compared with 21% in the Northeast, 20% in the South, and 16% in the Midwest.

Although plans to decrease headcounts in 2010 are down sharply across all regions, employers in the Northeast still plan to trim headcounts 10%, followed by an 8% planned decrease in the South, Midwest, and West.

Hiring by Job Type

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Employers to Hire Cautiously in 2010

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