A Robert Hall survey of more than 2,800 senior managers shows that hiring is expected to pick up during the rest of this year as companies add new positions and seek to fill ones that were vacated during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic.
At least 51% of respondents said they anticipate adding new permanent positions in the second half of 2021, while another 48% plan to fill vacated positions or bring back furloughed employees.
"Hiring is happening across the board, and competition for talent is intensifying. Simultaneously, job seekers are becoming more discerning when evaluating opportunities," commented Robert Half senior executive director Paul McDonald. "With these two forces at play, employers need to exceed candidates' expectations or risk losing them to better offers."
Among the 28 U.S. cities covered by the survey, those with the highest percentages of employers who expect to staff up are San Diego (62%), Dallas (61%), and Atlanta and Los Angeles (58% each).
Senior managers predict the biggest recruiting challenges for the remainder of the year will be finding candidates with the right skills; hiring quickly enough to land the best talent; and finding candidates who complement company culture
Employers also need to exceed candidates' expectations or risk losing them to better offers, Half stresses. Some companies are pulling out all the stops to entice prospective hires, including 48% providing signing bonuses; 43% giving more paid time off, and 40% offering better job titles.
However, some skills are rated as non-negotiable. Only 10% of the senior managers say they are willing to overlook soft skills and certifications.
The qualifications they are most willing to bend on include possessing an advanced degree (23%); years of experience (19%); and education level (14%). Many managers also say they are more flexible now when it comes to a candidate's location.