Small businesses, pessimistic about the economy and frustrated by a lack of access to credit, are holding off on hiring, according to a new nationwide poll of small firms.

The poll, released Thursday by Chicago business consultancy George S. May International Co., found that three of every four businesses responding had no plans to add staff in the next three months.

"Small business owners feel they do not have a need for more employees," said Paul Rauseo, managing director of May International.

May International surveyed 830 businesses nationwide.

Businesses that aren't hiring are compensating by adding laid off employees' hours to existing employees' workloads, employers told pollsters.

"The heart of the economy is still sick," said Don Seiver, a finance professor at San Diego State University. "(But) businesses have been able to make productivity grow, and they've been able to do that without hiring more workers."

Others say they don't expect the economy to improve enough in the near term to justify new hires.

That hasn't stopped job inquiries from pouring in. About 65 percent of business owners surveyed said they had received more job application requests in the past month.

Rauseo suggested employers could find ways to use available workers as commission-only sales staff, and part-time and temporary staff. Yet others, he said, could be cross-trained to increase productivity.

"The idea is to keep productivity high and employees motivated," he said.

The survey is available at www.georgesmay.com.

Military career fair set

A career fair for local job seekers with military backgrounds will be held Thursday at McClellan Park.

The 11 a.m. RecruitMilitary Opportunity Expo will be held at the Aerospace Museum of California, 3200 Freedom Park Drive.

Veterans with civilian work experience, active duty personnel transitioning into civilian life, National Guard, reservists and military spouses will be able to meet recruiters from a variety of career fields at the free event.

For more information, visit www.recruitmilitary.com.

Folsom cinemas hiring

Theater owner Cinema West is hosting a job fair Saturday in Folsom ahead of the December opening of its new Palladio 16 Cinemas at the Palladio Center at Iron Point and East Bidwell roads in Folsom.

Applicants will meet Cinema West staff at the 10 a.m. fair at Folsom Lake College's Community Room FL1-20.

Positions include ushers, greeters, box office and concession attendants and entry-level assistant manager positions. Qualified candidates will also be offered technical training.

For additional information, please visit www.cinemawest. com and select "employment."

Learn the small-biz ropes

Small business counselors SCORE will host a pre-business workshop Nov. 16.

The free 9 a.m. seminar at the Stockton Boulevard Business Information Center, 4990 Stockton Blvd., provides an overview of how businesses are started, pitfalls to avoid, how to marshal resources and financing, and how to file for licenses and permits.

For information, call SCORE at (916) 635-9085.

Share your stories

Tell us your "second act"

Have you lost your job to layoffs or business closures? Are investment losses forcing you out of retirement? What's your second act?

Are you retraining for a new career? Headed off to grad school? Have you landed a job in a completely new field? Are you volunteering while you seek a new job?

Are you thinking about opening your own business, or have you already hung out your shingle?

Let us share your story. Call The Bee's Darrell Smith at (916) 321-1040 or e-mail dvsmith@sacbee.com.

Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040.