The hiring process itself may be getting in the way of filling open jobs, as U.S. companies report more unfilled roles, longer timelines and positions closing without a hire while job seekers say automated systems are making it harder to feel heard, according to a newly released Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.
The disconnect comes as 44% of U.S. hiring managers say their company currently has open positions they cannot fill, significantly increasing from 36% in the fall of 2025 and the highest level since the fall of 2023.
Open Roles Are Stalling Before They Are Filled
The hiring process also takes longer than it did two years ago, even as some open roles go unfilled.
More than 2 in 5 hiring managers say the amount of time it takes to hire a candidate at their company has increased (43%), and more than 1 in 4 say it takes at least four weeks to hire a candidate when factoring in resume reviews, interviews and final decisions (26%).
At the same time, hiring managers report, on average, more than 1 in 5 open positions are closed without a candidate filling the role (21%). More than 1 in 4 say more than a quarter of their open positions go unfilled entirely (27%).
While timelines have stretched, companies appear to be conducting fewer interviews before making a decision. Hiring managers say candidates go through an average of four interviews before receiving an offer, down from five when the question was last asked in the spring of 2023.
Job Seekers Say the Process Feels Less Human
For job seekers, the same hiring process can feel difficult to navigate before they ever reach an interview.
Nearly one-third report that navigating an automated hiring process instead of feeling heard by people during the hiring process is a challenge in their job search (31%). The same share believe companies are claiming to hire but only collecting resumes to review, standing in the way of their next employment opportunity (31%).
Job-fit issues only add to the frustration. More than 1 in 4 job seekers say being overqualified complicates their search (28%), while more than 1 in 5 say being underqualified holds them back (22%). Another 1 in 5 believe AI is taking open positions and affecting their next job opportunity (21%).
As employers look to fill open roles, the experience candidates have during the hiring process may be just as important as the position itself.
Discover more research and real-world workforce trends from the America Employed series at ExpressPros.com/Newsroom.
Survey Methodology
The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from May 13 to June 1, 2026, among 1,006 U.S. hiring decision-makers.
The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from May 19 to June 8, 2026, among 1,000 adults ages 18 and older who are employed but looking for a new job or not employed and looking for work.
For full survey methodologies, please contact Sheena.Hollander@ExpressPros.com, director of Corporate Communications and PR.
If you would like to arrange an interview with the Franchise Owner, Chris Petty, call 541-389-1505.
About Express Employment Professionals
At Express Employment Professionals, we’re in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 492,000 people globally in 2023 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.
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