Poll finds almost 80% of U.S. employers cautious about hiring

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A new survey by MyPerfectResume shows employers down south are pulling back amid economic uncertainty and shifting the way they evaluate resumes.

The 2025 Hiring Outlook Report shows 79% of employers say they’ve grown more cautious about hiring, 63% are maintaining or reducing hiring levels, 46% are maintaining current levels, only 23% are expanding teams, and 17% are actively cutting back.

The survey also found 95% of employers are more understanding of career gaps, 44% say gaps are expected and not viewed negatively and 51% say context matters, such as caregiving or medical leave.

The poll found 85% support salary expectations in resumes and 65% view candidates with multiple short-term roles as adaptable and experienced, but 45% say too many job changes in a short time remains the top resume red flag.

Of those surveyed, 70% view the “Open to Work” banner on LinkedIn positively, 77% are more likely to reach out to candidates who use it, but 87% say it can also appear “desperate.”

Another 66% say AI plays a major role in planning layoffs, 29% say it contributes to the process and 91% of employers believe companies should be required to disclose when AI is involved in workforce reductions.

“This report confirms what many job seekers are already feeling – employers are playing it safe,” Jasmine Escalera, 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.”

The findings are based on a survey conducted of 918 U.S. human resource professionals on March 25 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.