Talent shortage, candidates’ demands delay hiring closures: Mint+Shine study

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. MUMBAI , NEW DELHI : A muted job market does not mean employers have it easy. The talent supply gap, candidates testing the market, a high dropout rate, and push for cost efficiency are forcing companies to take time to close their permanent hiring mandates.

A Mint+Shine study found that more than 77% of the employers and recruiters surveyed found it difficult or very difficult to close positions in the September quarter. "A few hurdles in recruiting are talent shortage, high competition for the right talent, changing workforce preferences, evolving job roles, lengthy hiring processes, geographical constraints, etc.," found the study titled Mint + Shine Talent Insights Report. The study looked at the responses of 2,599 job seekers and human resources (HR) professionals, including HR heads, talent acquisition heads, and recruiters.

The study revealed that 39% feel the top challenge an organization faces in recruiting new talent is ‘high salary demand from qualified candidates’. One-third of respondents said there was a ‘shortage of candidates with the right skills'. Besides, full-time qualified candidates increasingly expect additional perks like flexible work hours, career growth, and work-life balance, along with high salary demands.

"Today's candidates seek more than just a job—they want a role that aligns with their values, offers flexibility, and supports continuous growth. With expectations for work-life balance, advanced tech environments, and meaningful work, sticking to traditional models may leave even the biggest of organizations struggling to attract top talent," said Shirin Sehgal, chief people officer, PwC India. The consulting and audit firm highlighted that a "strategic