U.S. Employers Struggle with Unfilled Roles as Hiring Process Lengthens
Event summary
- 44% of U.S. hiring managers report having unfilled roles, up from 36% in fall 2025.
- 21% of open positions are closed without a hire, with 27% of companies seeing over a quarter of roles go unfilled.
- Hiring timelines have increased, with 43% of managers noting longer hiring processes compared to two years ago.
- Job seekers cite automated systems (31%) and job-fit issues (overqualified: 28%, underqualified: 22%) as major challenges.
The big picture
The survey highlights a growing disconnect between hiring demand and the ability to fill roles, exacerbated by prolonged hiring processes and candidate dissatisfaction with automated systems. This trend reflects broader challenges in labor market efficiency, where technology meant to streamline hiring may instead create barriers. The data suggests that employers must rethink their recruitment strategies to attract and retain talent in an increasingly competitive job market.
What we're watching
- Automation Trade-offs
- How the balance between automated hiring systems and human interaction will affect employer success in filling roles.
- Candidate Experience
- Whether improving the candidate experience can reduce unfilled positions and shorten hiring timelines.
- Labor Market Mismatch
- The pace at which employers address job-fit issues for overqualified and underqualified candidates.