What can hiring companies, employees and job seekers expect in 2025? In our marketing and creative recruiting world, here’s what we’re seeing and hearing right now:

#1 Forward-thinking companies will leverage AI to streamline repetitive and time-consuming tasks, empowering employees to focus on higher-level responsibilities like strategy, planning and innovation. The best use of AI will not replace human roles but rather enhance productivity, save time, and unlock potential for more impactful employee contributions.

#2 In Q125, the job market is expected to experience slow growth with strategic opportunities. While securing a new role will remain competitive this year, we anticipate steady progress, and a greater number of opportunities compared to recent years—provided you know where to look.

#3 Contract work is expected to grow, offering employers greater flexibility to adapt to changing workloads and scale their staff as work ebbs and flows. For professionals, contract roles provide an opportunity to expand skills, build a diverse professional network, and gain firsthand experience with a company before committing to a full-time role. These positions can also serve as steppingstones to permanent employment, making them a strategic choice for both employers and workers.

#4 Adopting emerging technology and business-focused skills will be invaluable in the current job market. Likewise, developing a strong foundation in interpersonal and soft skills will help job seekers stay relevant and employable. A balance of both hard and soft skills is key.

#5 Personalizing the impersonal job process will gain traction in 2025. The job search is fundamentally about people—building relationships with recruiters and leveraging your professional network are essential. These connections help candidates find opportunities and gain advocates within companies. Businesses are also beginning to recognize the value of making their hiring processes more personalized, fostering stronger connections with potential employees.

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