• 74% of hiring decision-makers feel positive about their company’s hiring outlook.
• Hiring decision-makers report feelings of optimism (39%), hopefulness (35%), and confidence (30%).
• 86% anticipate facing challenges, principally, finding qualified candidates (45%).
• When considering applicants to hire at their company, 34% of hiring decision-makers say AI skills are absolutely essential or very important.

• 89% of companies see the advantages of hiring contract workers.
• Hiring decision-makers whose companies have employed contract workers (48%) say their company is just as reliant on them now as they were three years ago, and 23% say they’re more reliant on contract workers.
• 80% say at times contract workers have actually outperformed full-time employees.
• 54% of hiring decision-makers feel contract work is a permanent shift in the workforce, yet 56% believe it’s a temporary response to the economy.

• Hiring decision-makers say seasonal jobs are a pathway into long-term careers (83%) and career accelerators, not just holiday help (87%).
• 20% of companies plan to hire more seasonal employees compared to a year ago.
• Hiring decision-makers see the value seasonal work offers employees, including allowing workers to gain foundational skills for their career (92%) and providing valuable skills that easily transfer to many other industries/careers (87%).