Employers are planning to hire in the first half of this year but are scrambling to staff up, research from the consulting firm of Robert Half shows.

A survey of hiring managers found that 58% anticipate adding new permanent roles during the first half of 2023, up from 46% six months ago. Another 39% expect to hire for vacated positions

While many companies are eager to hire, nine in 10 managers said it's challenging to find skilled professionals, on par with results from the last hiring survey. Employers also reported it can take up to 11 weeks, on average, to hire for an open position, up from seven weeks in 2021.

"Hiring tends to pick up at the beginning of the year, as budgets have been approved and teams seek additional support for initiatives that will drive business growth and customer retention," observed Paul McDonald, Half ‘s senior executive directory.

"As job openings and turnover remain high, employers need to play offense – and be prepared to negotiate – in order to recruit and retain skilled talent," he warned.

Despite hiring challenges, employers said they conduct about four interviews with a candidate before extending a job offer. Beyond skills, the top traits they look for are knowledge of the company,

timeliness and professionalism during interviews, and passion for the company's mission

According to the research, 72% of managers are planning to hire more contract professionals in the first half of 2023, compared to 45% six months ago.

"Contract professionals can quickly step in to help with critical projects and heavy workloads while companies continue their search for permanent employees," McDonald noted.

Pressure to hire for open positions can lead to haste and mistakes, he warns, adding that a drawn-out interview process can be a barrier to bringing on top talent. Employers should get a well-rounded view of candidates while remaining efficient and consistent