As economic uncertainty persists, a new survey found that 79% of firms are pulling back on hiring this year, while artificial intelligence continues to influence layoff decisions and reshape resume expectations.
The 2025 Hiring Outlook Report from resume-building service MyPerfectResume, which surveyed 918 human resources professionals in the U.S. about today’s volatile job market, also shows employers re-evaluating long-held standards regarding resumes and job seekers. From increased acceptance of career gaps to changing views on salary transparency and short-term roles, today’s hiring managers are prioritizing flexibility over perfection.
Key findings from the report include:
- 79% of employers have adopted a more cautious hiring approach due to recession fears and potential federal workforce layoffs.
- 63% are maintaining or reducing hiring levels; only 23% are expanding.
- 95% are more understanding of career gaps in resumes.
- 70% view LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” banner positively.
- 85% support including salary expectations in resumes.
“This report confirms what many job seekers are already feeling—employers are playing it safe,” Jasmine Escalera, a career expert at MyPerfectResume, said in a statement. “As hiring slows, companies are shifting focus from perfect resumes to practical potential. We’re seeing a major reset in expectations: career gaps aren’t deal-breakers, salary transparency is welcomed, and adaptability is more valued than ever. It’s a clear signal that today’s job market demands both flexibility and authenticity from applicants and employers alike.”
Recession fears are reshaping workforce strategies across industries, as 79% say they’ve become more hesitant to hire new staff. The report found that:
- 63% are maintaining or reducing hiring levels (46% maintaining current levels and 17% cutting back).
- Only 23% are actively expanding hiring to meet demand.
- Just 7% are hiring more due to market shifts, signaling a broadly defensive posture.
Today’s employers are moving away from rigid resume expectations and embracing more inclusive, context-aware hiring approaches, according to the report:
- 95% say they’re now more understanding of career gaps (44% say gaps are expected and not viewed negatively, while 51% say context matters, such as caregiving or medical leave).
- 85% of employers favor including salary expectations directly in resumes.
- 65% view candidates with multiple short-term roles as adaptable and experienced.
- Still, 45% say too many job changes in a short time remains the top resume red flag.
AI is increasingly involved in layoff planning, but the call for ethical transparency is loud and clear:
- 66% say AI plays a major role in layoff planning; 29% say it contributes to the process.
- Only 6% of companies say they rely solely on human decisions.
- 91% of employers believe companies should be required to disclose when AI is involved in workforce reductions.
The MyPerfectResume report also found that LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature reveals a perception gap between intent and interpretation:
- 70% say the banner signals proactivity.
- 77% are more likely to reach out to candidates who use it.
- Yet 87% say it can appear desperate if not used carefully, suggesting job seekers must balance visibility with perception.
The findings are based on a national survey of 918 U.S. HR professionals conducted on March 25, 2025. The survey was conducted via MTurk and included multiple-choice, scaled, and open-ended questions exploring workforce planning strategies, AI integration in layoffs, hiring trends, and evolving resume expectations.
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Tags: Hiring, hiring managers, Human Resources, job search, Payroll
