More Than Half Of U.S. Companies Plan To Add New Positions In Second Half Of 2021

Rhea-AI Summary

According to Robert Half's "State of U.S. Hiring" survey, 51% of senior managers plan to add permanent positions in the latter half of 2021, while 48% aim to fill vacated roles. San Diego, Dallas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles lead in anticipated hiring. However, challenges persist, including the need for skilled candidates, quick hiring processes, and cultural fit. To attract talent, 48% of companies are offering signing bonuses, and 60% are expanding geographical searches. This survey involved over 2,800 managers and reflects a competitive job market.

Positive

• 51% of employers plan to add new permanent positions.
• 48% intend to fill vacated positions or bring back furloughed employees.
• Companies are offering signing bonuses (48%) and enhanced benefits.

Negative

• Senior managers cite challenges such as skill shortages and slow hiring processes.
• Competition for talent intensifies, risking candidate loss to better offers.

MENLO PARK, Calif., July 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Job seekers will have plenty of options in the coming months, research from talent solutions firm Robert Half shows. According to the "State of U.S. Hiring" survey of more than 2,800 senior managers, 51% of respondents anticipate adding new permanent positions in the second half of 2021, and another 48% plan to fill vacated positions or bring back furloughed employees. Among the 28 U.S. cities in the survey, those with the highest percentages of employers who expect to staff up are San Diego (62%), Dallas (61%), Atlanta and Los Angeles (58% each).

View an infographic of the highlights and results by practice area, company size and city.

Employers need to exceed candidates' expectations or risk losing them to better offers.

Top Hiring Challenges
While many companies are optimistic about increasing staff levels, there will be hurdles. Senior managers predict the biggest recruiting challenges for the remainder of the year:

1. Finding candidates with the right skills
2. Hiring quickly enough to land the best talent
3. Finding candidates who complement the company culture

"Hiring is happening across the board, and competition for talent is intensifying. Simultaneously, job seekers are becoming more discerning when evaluating opportunities," said 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."

New Recruiting Strategies
According to the research, some companies are pulling out the stops to entice prospective hires:

• 48% are providing signing bonuses
• 43% are giving more paid time off
• 40% are offering better job titles

But there are some non-negotiables. Only 10% of senior managers are willing to overlook soft skills and certifications when recruiting for hard-to-fill roles. The qualifications they are most willing to bend on include:

• Advanced degree (23%)
• Years of experience (19%)
• Education level (14%)

Pivoting When the Clock is Ticking
Many employers are also flexible when it comes to a candidate's location. Senior managers said it can take up to 7 weeks, on average, to hire for an open position; for nearly 1 in 4 employers (22%), it can take more than 2 months. When faced with a lengthy hiring process, 60% of companies are broadening their search beyond their geography to find qualified candidates.

McDonald noted, "Professionals with in-demand skills often have their pick of jobs. To stand the best chance of winning over top candidates, employers need to modernize and minimize role requirements, move quickly, and make the most competitive offer possible from the start."

About the Research
The online survey was developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm from June 4 to July 1, 2021. It includes responses from more than 2,800 senior managers in finance, technology, marketing, legal, administrative support, human resources and other areas at companies with 20 or more employees.

About Robert Half
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects opportunities at great companies with highly skilled job seekers. Robert Half offers contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions, and is the parent company of Protiviti^®, a global consulting firm. Visit roberthalf.com.

 

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SOURCE Robert Half

FAQ

What percentage of U.S. companies plan to hire in the second half of 2021?

According to Robert Half's survey, 51% of U.S. companies plan to add new permanent positions.

Which cities are expecting the most hiring according to the Robert Half survey?

San Diego (62%), Dallas (61%), and Atlanta and Los Angeles (58% each) are the cities expecting the most hiring.

What are the top hiring challenges for companies in the second half of 2021?

The biggest challenges include finding candidates with the right skills, hiring quickly, and ensuring candidates fit the company culture.

What incentives are companies offering to attract job seekers?

Incentives include signing bonuses (48%), more paid time off (43%), and better job titles (40%).

What is the stock symbol for Robert Half?

Robert Half's stock symbol is RHI.