Job seekers will have plenty of options in the coming months, research from talent solutions firm Robert Half shows. According to the “State of Canadian Hiring” survey of 800 senior managers, 43 per cent of respondents anticipate adding new permanent positions in the second half of 2021, and another 54 per cent plan to fill vacated positions or bring back temporarily laid off employees.

According to the research, some companies are pulling out the stops to entice prospective hires:

• 40 per cent are giving more paid time off
• 37 per cent are offering better job titles
• 35 per cent are providing signing bonuses

But there are some non-negotiables. A very small percentage of senior managers are willing to overlook certifications (9 per cent) and soft skills (10 per cent) when recruiting for hard-to-fill roles. The qualifications they are most willing to bend on include years of experience and an advanced degree (tied at 21 per cent).

Many employers are also flexible when it comes to a candidate’s location. Senior managers said it can take eight weeks, on average, to hire for an open position and for nearly three in 10 employers (29 per cent), it can take more than two months. When faced with a lengthy hiring process, 59 per cent of companies are broadening their search beyond their geography to find qualified candidates.