This article is the fourth in a short series discuss the results of Nature2024 Global Science Hiring Managers Survey. The survey, created in partnership with Thinks Insights & Strategy, a research consultancy in London, was launched in June and was announced on nature.com, in Springer Nature digital products and via email campaigns. It received 1,134 self-selected respondents from 77 countries, based in academia, industry and other sectors, including industry responses provided in partnership with Walr, a market research panel. The full survey datasets are available at go.nature.com/3bgpazn.