Employers have been advised to be "intentional" in what they offer as jobseekers grow more deliberate about the roles they pursue, according to new research.

A survey from Express Employment Professionals and The Harris Poll found that more than half of jobseekers (54%) believe it will be difficult to find a job in the next six months, a signal that candidates are approaching the market with caution rather than urgency.

Bob Funk Jr., CEO, president and chairman of Express Employment International, said the pessimism should not be read as a stalled market.

"The job search may feel difficult, but that does not mean the market is standing still," Funk said.

"Jobseekers are being more intentional about what they want, and employers should be just as intentional about what they offer. Clear expectations, realistic qualifications, and strong communication can help turn a challenging search into the right match."

Where hiring processes are falling short

The findings point to friction employers may be creating themselves. Thirty-one per cent of jobseekers said navigating automated hiring processes, instead of feeling heard by people, made their search harder. The same proportion (31%) said companies that claim to be hiring but only collect applications added to the difficulty.

Role design is another sticking point. Twenty-eight per cent cited overqualification as a barrier and 22% cited underqualification. Forty-six per cent said finding opportunities matching their qualifications was a challenge, while 41% pointed to standing out in a competitive market.

Pay, progression still drive moves

Forty-four per cent of jobseekers said finding a job with enough pay to cover basic expenses was difficult, and cost pressures are pushing people to look.

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