U.S. Companies Anticipate Increased Hiring in the First Half of 2023

Rhea-AI Summary

According to Robert Half's State of U.S. Hiring Survey, 58% of U.S. companies plan to add permanent roles in the first half of 2023, an increase from 46% in the previous survey. Additionally, 72% intend to hire more contract professionals. The demand for talent is highest in technology, finance, and legal sectors, with 9 in 10 managers citing challenges in finding skilled workers. On average, hiring now takes up to 11 weeks, longer than in previous years. The survey reflects responses from over 2,000 managers and indicates a robust hiring outlook despite ongoing market volatility.

Positive

• 58% of companies anticipate adding permanent roles, up from 46% six months ago.
• 72% of managers plan to hire more contract staff, a significant increase from 45%.
• High demand for skilled professionals in technology, finance, and legal sectors.

Negative

• 9 in 10 managers face challenges in finding skilled talent.
• Average hiring duration has increased to 11 weeks, up from 7 weeks.

• 58% plan to add permanent positions; 72% expect to bring in more contract staff
• Greatest demand is for technology, finance and accounting, and legal professionals

MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite market volatility, companies across the country have plans to hire early this year and are scrambling to staff up, research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half shows. According to the company's State of U.S. Hiring Survey of more than 2,000 hiring managers, 58% of respondents anticipate adding new permanent roles during the first half of the year, up from 46% six months ago. Another 39% expect to hire for vacated positions. Managers in technology (64%) and finance and accounting (62%) have the greatest full-time staffing needs.

Companies' Plans for Hiring Permanent Staff
	First Half 2023	Second Half 2022	First Half 2022
Hiring for new roles	58 %	46 %	65 %
Hiring for vacated positions	39 %	46 %	33 %
Freezing hiring	3 %	6 %	2 %
Eliminating positions	0 %	2 %	1 %

View an infographic of the research highlights and results by profession, company size and city.

Good Hires Are Still Hard to Find
While many companies are eager to hire, 9 in 10 managers said it's challenging to find skilled professionals, on par with results from the prior State of U.S. Hiring Survey. Employers also reported it can take up to 11 weeks, on average, to hire for an open position, up from 7 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," said Paul McDonald, senior executive director of Robert Half. "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."

More Employers Will Leverage Contract Talent
According to the research, 72% of managers plan to hire more contract professionals in the first half of 2023, compared to 45% six months ago. Those in finance and accounting and legal (78% each) are most likely to increase their use of contract talent. "Contract professionals can quickly step in to help with critical projects and heavy workloads while companies continue their search for permanent employees," McDonald added.

Interviewing Takes a Village
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 in potential hires are:

1. Knowledge of the company
2. Timeliness and professionalism during interviews
3. Passion for the company's mission

McDonald noted, "Pressure to hire for open positions quickly can lead to hasty decisions — and mistakes. On the flip side, a drawn-out interview process or overemphasis on one or two priorities are barriers to bringing on top talent. Employers should aim to get a well-rounded view of candidates while remaining efficient and consistent."

About the Research
The online survey was developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm from Oct. 20 to Nov. 3, 2022. It includes responses from 2,175 managers with hiring responsibilities in finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and human resources at companies with 20 or more employees in the U.S.

About Robert Half
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm that connects people with meaningful work and provides companies with the talent and subject matter expertise they need to confidently compete and grow. Visit roberthalf.com and download the company's award-winning mobile app.

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SOURCE Robert Half

FAQ

What percentage of U.S. companies plan to hire permanent staff in the first half of 2023?

58% of U.S. companies plan to add permanent staff in the first half of 2023.

How many companies expect to hire contract professionals according to the Robert Half survey?

72% of companies expect to hire more contract professionals in the first half of 2023.

What industries have the greatest hiring demand as per the Robert Half survey?

The greatest demand is for technology, finance and accounting, and legal professionals.

How long does it typically take to hire for an open position currently?

It takes an average of 11 weeks to hire for an open position.

What challenges do managers face in hiring, according to the survey?

9 in 10 managers find it difficult to locate skilled professionals.