Romanian labor market faces hiring shifts and salary constraints

The Romanian labor market is experiencing significant shifts characterized by sector-specific demand and economic constraints. According to an analysis by Catalyst Solutions based on 20,000 recruitment ads, companies are actively hiring in sales, customer support, IT, engineering, procurement, and logistics. However, opportunities in human resources and marketing have declined, and there is a notable reduction in programs specifically for students and recent graduates.

Dragoș Gheban, Managing Partner of Catalyst Solutions, noted that employers are increasingly seeking ‘plug-and-play’ candidates with at least three years of experience to ensure rapid integration. This trend makes entry-level positions harder to secure, as many companies now prioritize experienced professionals.

Simultaneously, a survey by eJobs România reveals financial pressures on employers. Approximately 41.4% of surveyed employers reported they were unable to provide salary increases in 2026. Nearly 45% of employers have had to reduce personnel expenses, and 45.3% stated they could not renegotiate salary packages even for key employees due to crisis budgets.

These economic conditions have impacted employee sentiment, with 27.9% of workers feeling insecure about job stability and 21.2% actively seeking new employment due to fears of potential layoffs.