More workers are seeking a new job moving into 2026 than a year ago — but current market conditions are pitting more applicants against each other, according to a Thursday report from Robert Half.
Of 2,000 employed workers surveyed, 38% said they plan to hunt for a new job in the first half of 2026, up from 27% in July and 29% a year ago. Motivations to move on include a desire for better benefits, limited advancement opportunities at their current company, a desire for better pay and burnout.
“Many workers felt the need to stay put in 2025, but we’re beginning to see signs of a thaw as we head into the new year,” Dawn Fay, operational president of Robert Half, said in a statement. “Career growth and development are back in focus, and if an employer can’t offer those opportunities, workers no longer feel compelled to stay.”
Workers most likely to job hunt early in 2026 include tech and healthcare professionals, Generation Z workers and working parents, Robert Half said.
But of the 450 job seekers between jobs surveyed by the firm, 68% said they expect the job hunt to take longer than previous searches, indicating a potentially frosty market for new hires.
Job seekers noted particular pain points around too much competition (59%), consistent mismatches in workplace preferences (46%) and skills not matching job requirements (37%).
A November report from LiveCareer also noted that job seekers are increasingly frustrated by a growing web of complex hiring processes and applications, leading to overall job search burnout. Automation and artificial intelligence tools used in the hiring process have also reshaped hiring so much that some job seekers have dropped out of the process due to feeling disconnected from hiring managers, LiveCareer said.
Overall, the job market may be tougher moving into 2026. The Class of 2025, for example, had to submit more applications and generally received fewer offers on average, according to a recent National Association of Colleges and Employers study. Many also said they were unsure about their plans and the status of private-sector employment, NACE noted.
