MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The pulse of the Philippine job market is still beating strong, registering an 11% annual upswing in hiring, according to the latest foundit Insights Tracker (FIT). But behind the headline growth lies a more nuanced picture: March 2025 saw hiring dip 8% month-on-month, as companies recalibrate following year-end recruitment blitzes and budget resets.
The report, released by leading talent platform foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), captures the shifting sands of the employment landscape across industries and job functions. While the year on year trend remains positive, the monthly drop hints at emerging caution among employers.
Leading the hiring boom is the Hospitality & Travel sector, which soared 37% year on year. With tourists flooding back in and infrastructure projects breathing new life into key destinations, it’s a sector riding high on optimism and policy support. Whether it’s hotel management, travel operations, or experience design, the call for talent is loud and clear.
Hot on its heels, the Logistics and Transportation cluster reported a 31% growth, fueled by rising e-commerce demands and investments in fleet modernization and warehouse networks.
The rebound wasn’t universal. Education saw a 13% hiring drop, and IT & Telecom dipped 8% – both signs of a more selective and strategic hiring approach, particularly in sectors still digesting post-pandemic pivots and shifting digital priorities.
Even the once indomitable tech space is feeling the pinch, with Software, Hardware, and Telecom roles registering a sharp 14% decline in demand. The message? In a world of fast-evolving tech, employers are seeking sharper alignment between innovation and ROI.
Functional roles tell their own compelling story. Purchase, Logistics, and Supply Chain professionals are in hot demand, with a whopping 36% rise in hiring. It is proof that the backbone of commerce is now a strategic growth driver.
Sales & Business Development roles jumped 28%, pointing to a business landscape ready to push forward, while Engineering and Real Estate roles clocked in a 10% rise, boosted by infrastructure expansion and urban development.
Sectors like BFSI (+13%), Healthcare (+12%), and even the ever-dynamic world of Media, PR, and Advertising (+10%) showed solid growth—suggesting that while not every industry is surging, strategic pockets of hiring activity remain strong.
Meanwhile, BPO/ITES, Manufacturing, FMCG, and Retail grew by low single digits, reflecting a stable but cautious outlook.
For marketing professionals, the report offers cautious optimism: Marketing & Communications roles grew 9% in a healthy indicator that brands are still investing in storytelling, engagement, and market positioning.
Customer Service roles remained unchanged, possibly signaling a shift toward automation, self-service tools, or a plateau in customer experience hiring post-COVID.
Commenting on the Philippines’ job market trends, V Suresh, CEO of foundit, stated, “The continued growth in hiring activity reflects the resilience of the Philippine job market and its steady economic recovery. Key sectors such as Hospitality & Travel, Logistics, and BFSI are driving this momentum. Despite short-term fluctuations, the overall outlook remains positive, with companies strategically focusing on roles that strengthen operational efficiency and enable long-term expansion.”
