Project deferrals, poll doubts harm resource jobs hiring THE outlook for hiring intentions in the resources sector has slumped, with project deferrals and uncertainty over the federal election affecting future jobs. The latest Manpower employment outlook survey, which measures more than 2200 Australian employers' hiring intentions for the coming quarter, shows while there is a slight increase expected in the mining and construction sector next quarter, the figure is still 17 per cent below the same period last year.