Executive Summary
Recruiting and hiring for full-time jobs remains challenging in 2025: Too few applicants, competition from other employers, and applicant “ghosting” (i.e., applicants suddenly ending all communication without an explanation) are leaving critical roles vacant. When these vacancies persist, the impact reaches far beyond the surface. Organizations see efficiency and productivity erode, driving up operational costs. Skill gaps limit bandwidth for innovation and strategic initiatives, slowing growth. Workers juggling multiple workloads may let quality standards slip, putting customer satisfaction at risk. For employees, staffing gaps can contribute to elevated stress, fewer opportunities for skill development, and declines in engagement. Over time, these pressures can weaken market position, damage your employer brand, and undermine sustained competitiveness. Addressing these challenges through targeted talent strategies and ongoing skill development is paramount to success, both for the organization and its workforce.
This report also sheds light on how organizations are innovating to adapt to the needs of changing workplaces, balancing short-term needs with long-term strategies, and equipping HR professionals with actionable insights to overcome talent challenges and drive sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways from the Series
Recruiting
Hiring Top Talent Is Still a Major Challenge for Organizations
More than two thirds of organizations (69%) are still struggling to fill roles, reflecting 2016 levels after peaking in 2022.
Skills
Organization Growth and Tech Advances Are Driving the Need for New Skills
28% of organizations now require new skills for full-time roles, with 47% updating existing roles to include these skills.
Recruiting Strategies
Amid Hiring Challenges, Organizations Are Turning to More Creative Solutions to Fill Positions
Social media tops the usage list of recruiting strategies by organizations (55%), though another strategy tops the list of recruitment strategy effectiveness.
AI in HR
The Role of AI in HR Continues to Expand
AI adoption in HR tasks climbed to 43% in 2025, up from the 26% reported by HR professionals in 2024.
L&D Programs
L&D Programs Show Promise in Overcoming Talent Shortages
Internship programs are widely offered (69%), with 78% of HR professionals rating them as somewhat effective or very effective in addressing talent shortages.
Methodology
The survey was fielded to a sample of HR professionals via SHRM’s Voice of Work Research panel from Feb. 3 to Feb. 12, 2025. For the purposes of this study, participants were required to be employed full-time or part-time for an organization and employed in HR. In total, 2,040 HR professionals participated in the survey. Respondents represented organizations of all sizes in a wide variety of industries across the U.S. Data is unweighted.