• 84% of hiring decision-makers feel positive about their company’s hiring outlook.
• Hiring decision-makers report feelings of optimism (54%), confidence (52%), and hopefulness (48%).
• 90% anticipate facing challenges, principally, navigating AI use (49%).
• When considering applicants to hire at their company, 54% of hiring decision-makers say AI skills are absolutely essential or very important.

• 91% of companies see the advantages of hiring contract workers.
• Hiring decision-makers whose companies have employed contract workers (43%) say their company is more reliant on contract workers now than three years ago.
• 84% say at times contract workers have actually outperformed full-time employees.
• 53% of hiring decision-makers feel contract work is a permanent shift in the workforce, yet 47% believe it’s a temporary response to the economy.

• Hiring decision-makers say seasonal jobs are a pathway into long-term careers (86%) and career accelerators, not just holiday help (90%).
• 38% of hiring decision-makers say their company plans to hire more seasonal employees compared to a year ago, particularly those in the service industry (45%).
• Hiring decision-makers see the value seasonal work offers employees, including allowing workers to gain foundational skills for their career (93%) and providing valuable skills that easily transfer to many other industries/careers (92%).