Dive Brief:
- Hiring intentions appear to be set for a rebound in 2026, according to a recent Express Employment Professionals and Harris Poll survey, though organizations still expect to confront skill gaps and technology-induced job cuts.
- Two-thirds of U.S. hiring decision-maker respondents said they planned to increase headcount in 2026’s first half, the highest level seen in the survey, which dates back to 2020. However, more than a third said they had open jobs they could not fill, with skills being the primary obstacle rather than pay or benefits.
- Bolstering that finding, fewer employers than last year cited employees’ unwillingness to work required hours or uncompetitive pay and benefits as hurdles to recruiting, whereas 50% said that applicants lacked relevant experience. An additional 26% said they struggled to evaluate candidates’ informal or self-taught skills.
Dive Insight:
Broadly, the state of the early 2026 talent market revolves around two themes: ongoing economic uncertainty and the encroachment of AI.
The former has caused employers to consider a measured hiring approach in the new year, according to a ManpowerGroup analysis published last month. The latter promises to upend the market for some roles, particularly entry-level and back-office jobs, Korn Ferry said in an October report.
On the entry-level worker front, Express Employment Professionals and Harris Poll found a decline in the share of companies that expected to hire college students, though interest in college graduates remained steady.
The two firms said “AI-related complexities” were the most commonly-cited obstacle among respondents, and 39% of those who said they planned to reduce headcount identified increased technology use as a reason for that decision.
Employers may have more candidates available to fill openings in 2026, as a December report by Robert Half found an increase in the percentage of workers seeking to shift jobs. But the same report showed that a mismatch between employee skills and job requirements could be a particular pain point for candidates.
