Businesses are trimming recruitment budgets and sharpening their focus on talent retention amid looming economic uncertainty.

The hiring game is no longer a sprint but a measured marathon, with stretched timelines and a growing emphasis on non-monetary approaches to woo and retain top talent.

Against this backdrop, workforce transformation has moved centre stage, becoming a key lever for future-proofing organisations.

To help companies make sense of the shifting sands, Robert Walters has launched its Talent Trends 2025 report – an executive briefing packed with insights into how hiring practices, leadership styles, and workplace culture are being reinvented.

External trends, employee expectations shape internal decisions

According to the report, 40% of professionals in Hong Kong say the strongest influence on workplace change is the external environment – specifically, what peer companies are doing. Other major forces include the organisation’s financial footing, broader economic tides, and rising employee expectations.

“Leading companies are prioritising adaptability, leveraging digital transformation, and adopting human-first approaches to maintain a competitive edge,” said John Mullally, managing director of Robert Walters Hong Kong.

The 8 trends reshaping the world of work

The report identifies eight headline trends poised to redefine the employer-employee contract in 2025:

• AI in recruitment
• Human-centric leadership
• Treating candidates like customers
• Rethinking remote work
• Window working
• Career lattice vs ladder
• Un-retiring
• Preparing your people for the jobs of tomorrow

Each trend represents a recalibration of conventional thinking – shifting from rigid processes to flexible, people-first practices.

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