As companies navigate economic uncertainty, many are making tough workforce decisions — including hiring freezes, slowdowns, and layoffs. To better understand how businesses are approaching staffing changes and the role of AI skills in job security, AI Resume Builder surveyed 1,000 U.S. managers in March 2025.
Key findings:
- 17% of companies have implemented a hiring freeze, and 42% have slowed hiring
- 30% of companies believe they will need to lay off employees this year
- Companies cite Trump’s policies and recession concerns as factors influencing workforce decisions
- 23% of managers say employees with AI skills are more likely to be retained
1 in 6 Companies Have Implemented a Hiring Freeze
Currently, 17% of companies report having a hiring freeze, while 42% say they have slowed but not stopped hiring. Meanwhile, 28% of companies have increased hiring.
Hiring freezes vary significantly by industry. The government/public sector has the highest rate, with 44% of companies implementing a hiring freeze, followed by engineering (29%). Computer software (19%) and banking and financial services (17%) also report elevated levels.
Looking ahead, 10% of companies anticipate slowing down hiring by the end of the year. Among those that have already implemented a hiring freeze or slowdown, 20% say Trump’s policies influenced their decision a lot, while 29% say a fair amount, and 24% say a little. Concerns about a potential recession were also a factor, with 23% saying it had a major impact on their decision, 33% saying it had a moderate impact, and 26% saying it had a slight impact.
3 in 10 Companies Believe They’ll Have Layoffs This Year
A total of 30% of companies believe they will need to lay off employees this year.
Among industries with at least 20 respondents, computer software and the government/public sector (both 41%) have the highest expected layoffs, followed closely by information technology (IT) (40%) and engineering (38%). Insurance (35%) and banking and financial services (31%) also report elevated layoff expectations.
When asked about factors influencing layoffs, 26% say Trump’s policies play a major role, 34% say they have a moderate impact, and 22% say they have a slight impact. Similarly, 26% cite concerns about a potential recession as a major factor, 38% as a moderate factor, and 23% as a slight factor.
1 in 4 Hiring Managers Say Workers With AI Skills Are Less Likely To Lose Their Jobs
Hiring managers recognize the value of AI expertise, with 23% saying employees with AI skills are more likely to be retained.
Among industries with at least 20 respondents, AI-skilled employees are the least likely to be laid off in computer software (32%), IT (31%), and nonprofit/social services (31%). Banking and financial services (29%) and construction (29%) also report relatively high job security for workers with AI expertise.
The top reasons AI-skilled employees are less likely to be let go include their ability to improve efficiency and productivity (63%), help automate processes and reduce costs (56%), and contribute to innovation and competitive advantage (53%). Additionally, their skills are difficult to replace (46%), and they work on AI-driven tools the company relies on (43%).
As companies recognize the importance of AI skills, 47% have increased their focus on hiring AI-skilled employees over the past year, and 63% have encouraged existing employees to develop AI-related skills.
“Workers who have AI skills are more likely to be retained because AI is becoming a daily part of work at many companies,” says Soozy Miller, head of career advising at AI Resume Builder. “This does not mean that AI is taking over an entire job, or that if you have no experience with AI you will be out of a job.
“However, if you have AI experience that helps the company succeed, you’re more likely to be retained in the case of layoffs. I recommend researching what companies in your field are looking for in terms of AI to get an idea of where to upskill. I have witnessed clients waste time with AI classes that are not closely related enough to their work.”
Methodology
This survey was conducted in March 2025, commissioned by AIResumeBuilder.com, and administered online via the polling platform Pollfish. A total of 1,000 U.S. managers completed the full survey. Respondents were selected based on demographic criteria and screening questions to ensure they were informed about their company’s current and future hiring policies.
