79% of Employers Are Slowing Hiring in 2025—And Rethinking Resume Norms

The job market is entering a new era of caution, flexibility, and AI-driven decisions. According to a new MyPerfectResume survey of 918 U.S. HR professionals, employers are pulling back on hiring and reevaluating how they assess resumes. 

From increasing acceptance of career gaps to support for salary transparency, the 2025 Hiring Outlook Report reveals a workforce recalibration underway.

For job seekers, this means understanding what matters now and what doesn’t. Resume perfection is no longer the gold standard. Instead, employers are prioritizing adaptability, ethical AI practices, and transparency over polish.

Key findings:

Employers Are Hitting the Brakes on Hiring

With recession concerns still looming, most employers are playing it safe:

• 79% say economic uncertainty has made them more cautious.
• 46% are maintaining hiring at current levels.
• 17% are actively cutting back on hiring.
• Only 23% are increasing hiring to meet demand.
• Just 7% are hiring more due to favorable market conditions.

Resume Rules Are Loosening

Employers are becoming more open-minded about what a good resume looks like in 2025:

Let’s explore the statistics from the infographic above further:

• 95% are more understanding of employment gaps on resumes.
  • 44% say gaps are expected and not viewed negatively.
  • 51% say the reason matters (e.g., caregiving or medical leave).
• 85% favor listing salary expectations directly on resumes.
• 65% view short-term roles as a sign of adaptability and relevant experience.
• Still, 45% say too many job changes in a short time is a top red flag.

AI Is Driving Workforce Decisions—and Ethical Concerns

Artificial intelligence is becoming deeply embedded in layoff planning:

• 66% say AI plays a significant role.
• 29% say it contributes to decisions.
• Just 6% say layoffs are based solely on human input.
• 91% of HR professionals believe companies should be transparent about AI’s role in terminations.

The LinkedIn “Open to Work” Debate

The green LinkedIn “Open to Work” banner sends mixed signals:

• 70% say it reflects candidate proactivity.
• 77% are more likely to reach out to users displaying it.
• Yet 87% say it can come across as desperate if not positioned carefully.

Today’s employers are rethinking what it means to be “hireable.” 

Amid economic pressure, resume rules and expectations are shifting toward context, clarity, and confidence, not perfection. Career gaps are okay. Salary transparency is encouraged. Short-term roles can be a strength.

For press inquiries, contact Nathan Barber at nathan.barber@bold.com

Survey Methodology

The findings are based on a national survey of 918 U.S. HR professionals conducted on March 25, 2025, via MTurk.

The survey included multiple-choice, scaled, and open-ended questions exploring workforce planning strategies, AI integration in layoffs, hiring trends, and evolving resume expectations.