Group 1 - Employers are becoming cautious in their hiring outlook, focusing more on retention rather than new hiring, with an emphasis on selective hiring to maintain organizational resilience [3][4] - Nearly half of employers surveyed identified attracting qualified applicants and retention as their biggest challenges, with AI talent remaining in demand despite hiring slowdowns in other areas [3] - Two-thirds of HR managers have implemented hiring freezes, and nearly half plan to pause recruitment for at least the next 12 months, leading to a focus on reskilling and internal mobility [4] Group 2 - The global hiring market is becoming more measured due to economic uncertainty, with 45% of employers intending to maintain current workforce levels in Q4 2025, the highest since early 2022 [6] - Less than 40% of employers plan to add staff in Q4, while 15% expect to reduce their workforce, indicating a cautious approach to hiring [6] - Employers that do intend to hire are focusing on specific capabilities, particularly in technological advancement [6]