• Adobe Express has launched The Hiring Guide to help businesses find the right talent for their team, with the in-depth study including what future employees are looking for in a role, where to find them and how to appeal as a place of work
  • 66% of business owners in the hospitality and events sector admitted to struggling with lengthy recruitment processes and finding qualified candidates during the hiring process
  • The guide outlines what hospitality and events professionals look for and value in a role, providing strategic insight for employers

Currently, almost a third (32%) of small business owners are looking to invest significantly in their recruitment over the next year, whilst 72% have had business progression delays because of not being able to find the right staff.

The new data, taken from Adobe Express’ extensive hiring study, takes an in-depth look at the current recruitment landscape from both the employer and employee perspectives.

Over two-thirds (66%) of hospitality and events sector business owners admit to struggling with lengthy recruitment processes and finding qualified candidates. So, what are professionals in the industry looking for in a role? Adobe reveal all in the hiring guide to help businesses attract top talent and make the hiring process simple.

From an employee perspective, below are the primary reasons hospitality and event professionals would look for a new job:

Higher salary/better compensation (40%), better work-life balance (20%) and opportunities for career growth and development (20%) are the main factors employees would consider when looking for a new role in the hospitality sector, matching employers opinions, who believe better compensation is the most important factor to their employees.

What is your primary motivation for looking for a new job in 2025? Percentage Higher salary/better compensation 40% Better work-life balance 20% Opportunities for career growth and development 20% More challenging or interesting work 0% A more positive or supportive work environment/culture 0% Better job security 0% More flexible working arrangements (remote/hybrid) 10% Ethical or mission-driven company 0% Seeking a role in a specific industry 0%

To help business owners with their working arrangements, employees have given their preferred approach:

Fully remote work, hybrid working and flexible start and end time are all equally preferred by employees (30%) in hospitality and event jobs, with workers clearly feeling strongly about flexibility to help with a better work-life balance. 

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What type of flexible working arrangement are you most interested in? Percentage Flexible start and end times 30% Hybrid work (a mix of office and remote) 30% Fully remote work 30% Compressed workweeks 20% Work from anywhere including abroad for a set period 10% Job sharing 10%

When it comes to culture, hospitality and events professionals prefer the following environment to work in:

Almost two-thirds of workers value a focus on employee wellbeing most (60%), while 40% find a strong mission and purpose to be important. 

What aspects of company culture are most important to you when considering a new employer? Percentage A focus on employee well-being 60% Open and transparent communication 20% A supportive and collaborative environment 0% Opportunities for social interaction and team building 20% A clear sense of purpose and mission 40% Strong ethical standards 30% A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) 10% A culture of innovation and continuous improvement 0%

For tips on how to retain the best talent, as well as further data on hiring in the UK, visit here: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/learn/blog/hiring-guide

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