A new survey reveals that business managers are reporting increased rates of burnout and more difficulty hiring employees, despite the unemployment rate edging closer to pre-pandemic levels.

A new Greenhouse Hiring Manager report surveying 1,500 hiring managers and c-suite executives revealed that 84% of hiring managers have started experiencing burnout because of the difficult job market. Contributing factors to the stress include difficulties sourcing the right talent (41%), competition for increased benefits and compensation (26%) and ineffective onboarding processes at companies (16%).

Other difficulties in hiring include making employers stand out from the competition (55%), recruiting candidates for niche roles (42%) and competitors offering better benefits, salaries and sign-on bonuses (35%). Overall, 75% of respondents expect to have even more challenges finding potential employees for the rest of 2022.

"You can be sure this represents business risk," said Greenhouse CEO and co-founder Daniel Chait.

According to the survey, 88% of respondents reported feeling new or more pressure because of the current job market. Sixty-seven percent reported that finding candidates is harder now than pre-pandemic. Seventy-five percent of hiring managers also reported that potential hires are more demanding now than pre-pandemic.

Businesses nationwide have struggled to find workers, especially in the service sector that has been hardest hit by the pandemic, but data showed a big private hiring gain in December
Businesses nationwide have struggled to find workers, especially in the service sector that has been hardest hit by the pandemic, but data showed a big private hiring gain in December AFP / Heather SCOTT

For example, Meta announced its plans to slow down hiring despite a strong first three months of 2022. The company posted its slowest revenue growth in years. Instead of bringing in new talent, Meta plans to circulate talent internally.

Mark Zuckerburg, the CEO of Meta, told investors on a call Thursday, according to CNN, that Meta has "a lot of awesome people here." So, the hiring process is about "how do we direct the really talented people that are already at the company."

The survey reveals that internal promotions and transfers are two of the biggest ways that companies fill roles.

Amid "The Great Resignation," many have noted that employees expect more from their employers. Employers noted that makes it harder for companies to compete and attract new talent.

To combat the problems faced with post-pandemic hiring expectations, employers say that they plan to increase salaries this year (74%). Eighty-one percent believe a salary increase will help them attract the right candidates.

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