According to a recent survey by Manpower Group, the global employment service giant, companies are very hesitant about hiring at the moment. Managers in many companies are nervous about investing in more staff until they see a sharp and steady rebound in demand for what they offer.

As Manpower Chief Executive Jeff Joerres said, "Companies are in tune with their demand and surroundings. Hiring has been put into only-if-necessary mode. They can spring back, but there were too many times in the last 36 months when they thought it was safe to go in the water and only found out it wasn't."

Last month, the U.S. economy only added 69,000 jobs, which was less than half of what was expected. And the unemployment rate went back up, and stood at 8.2%.