The hiring outlook may not be as bleak as recent headlines suggest.

New data from The Conference Board shows CHRO confidence has reached a new high, with roughly six in 10 organizations expecting to grow their workforce in the coming months. At a time when headlines continue to spotlight layoffs, stiff competition for jobs, and economic uncertainty, the findings point to a labor market that is more resilient and active than many assume.

That view is echoed by Aaron Terrazas, an independent and fractional economist, who says the broader picture often gets lost in the noise.

“When I first looked at it, it’s not surprising to me,” he said of the survey results. “You look at the hiring rate and sure, it is down across the board, but it hasn’t fallen off a cliff. It’s slower, but not so slow that we would expect a shock drop-off.”

Much of the disconnect comes down to perception. High-profile layoffs, particularly in tech, tend to dominate coverage, while a large portion of the economy continues to move forward more quietly.

“The companies that grab our attention are a relatively small segment of total employment,” Terrazas said. “Most businesses, especially small and mid-sized ones, are continuing to hire and continue to grow.”

Looking beyond the layoffs

Hiring is still happening across much of the economy. It just looks quieter and more measured than it did a few years ago, according to Terrazas.

After a period of uncertainty that caused many organizations to pause investment and workforce decisions, employers are beginning to move again. The pace is measured, but it’s moving in a clear direction.

“There was a moment where a lot of businesses were in a frozen paralysis,” Terrazas said.

However, Terrazas said many employers are now moving forward with hiring and investment decisions, even if conditions remain less than ideal.

That shift helps explain why confidence among CHROs is rising. This isn’t a surge in demand so much as a return to decision-making.

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