Publication date: October 17, 2025

🕒 3 minute read 

Back in September, we posed a question to our community in our newsletter (👉 check it out HERE) about the forecast for hiring as we entered Q4: 

“What’s your hiring forecast?” 

We asked, and you answered! And the results give us an interesting snapshot of how West Michigan employers are approaching the final months of 2025. 

The Results at a Glance 

📉 Reducing Headcount: 13%
🚀 We’re Hiring: 40%
🤝 Staying the Same: 46% 

The responses highlight a steady – but cautiously optimistic – picture of the regional workforce. 

What This Means for West Michigan 

Stability with Pockets of Growth
Nearly half of responding employers shared that their headcount will stay the same through Q4. Translation? Many organizations are in “maintain mode” after a whirlwind year. That’s not bad news – it signals consistency for both companies and job seekers who crave stability. 

Optimism in Hiring
It’s encouraging that 40% of respondents indicated they are actively hiring. This points to growth and expansion across key industries in West Michigan, from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and professional services. If you’re hiring, consider this your friendly reminder: you’re not the only one. Talent competition may be heating up in your industry. 

A Smaller Slice of Contraction
Only 13% noted reducing headcount, a relatively small portion of respondents. While this shows some businesses are tightening their teams, the overall balance leans toward stability and growth – a positive signal for the West Michigan workforce and economy. 

Key Takeaways 

• Employers are cautiously optimistic. Most teams are steady; many are growing. 

• Talent competition is real. Nearly half of you are hiring – better bring your A-game (read: your talent attraction partners here at CPG 😉) to stand out. 

• West Michigan’s workforce outlook is steady. Despite challenges, the local market continues to demonstrate resilience heading into the end of the year. 

Ready to Attract and Recruit Top Talent in West Michigan? 

Let’s be real: finding (and keeping) great people isn’t for the faint of heart. The job market is noisy, the candidates are savvy, and the competition is competing. That’s where we come in. 

At Cooper People Group, we partner with organizations across West Michigan to design and implement effective talent attraction and recruitment strategies that align with your business goals. Whether you’re looking to grow your team, strengthen your employer brand, or fine-tune your hiring process, we’ve got your back. 

👉 Learn more about our Attract & Recruit services here 

Let’s work together to build the team you need for today, and tomorrow.