Dive Brief:
- Hiring managers in the U.S. say they are ready to hire more professionals during the balance of 2016, but it won't be easy considering the current recruitment environment, according to a new survey.
- The semi-annual hiring survey by DHI Group, Inc., a provider of data, insights and careers for specialized professional communities, found that 62% of hiring managers intend to hire more professionals in the next six months.
- While more hiring is anticipated, the important time to fill metric is at an all-time high. In fact, the DHI-DFH Mean Job Vacancy Duration Measure reached a record-setting 29.3 working days in April (latest data available), indicating jobs are staying open longer than any time since tracking began in 2001.
Dive Insight:
Michael Durney, DHI Group's president and CEO, said hiring managers broadly, and those in technology and healthcare specifically, find it increasingly difficult to find candidates with the right combination of skills to fill positions.
"The recent vote by citizens in the U.K. will likely have an impact on U.S. hiring decisions in the near term and future, further lengthening the time to fill roles as global employers navigate this new landscape," he added. Durney explained that a combination of factors are contributing to the challenging recruiting environment. For example, 31% of those who recruit for a variety of professionals and 46% focused on healthcare said they are waiting for the perfect match to fill a role.
Also, a record 69% of hiring managers say voluntary turnover has not increased at their companies in 2016, compared to last year — a roadblock for other employers recruiting skilled professionals. That, in turn, intensifies the stress associated with too few candidates to meet demand. And when it comes to pay, 60% of hiring managers report those looking for jobs are asking for more money compared to six months ago. In healthcare, where demand for professionals is outpacing available candidates, this rises to 66%.