2026 Hiring Trends Survey-0

2026 Hiring Trends Survey

How is hiring really changing in 2026?

AI screening, skills-based hiring, remote-first roles, and a volatile job market are reshaping how companies hire and how candidates get hired. This survey captures what's actually working — from both the recruiter and candidate perspective.

Anonymous. Takes 3 minutes.

Are you answering this from a hiring or job-seeking perspective?

I hire people / involved in recruiting

I'm actively job seeking

Both — I hire and have recently job searched

Neither — general interest

Industry

How has the job market changed in your field in the past 12 months?

More opportunities — high demand for my skills

About the same

More competitive — more candidates per role

Significantly harder — roles are being cut

Uncertain — hard to read

Which trends are most shaping hiring in your industry right now? (Select all that apply)

AI skills now required or strongly preferred

Skills-based hiring over degree requirements

Remote-first or hybrid flexibility as standard

Smaller, leaner teams due to AI

AI tools screening resumes before humans see them

Contract and freelance preferred over full-time

Longer hiring cycles and more rounds

Salary compression due to AI productivity

How are AI tools being used in your hiring process? (Hiring side)

AI screens resumes and applications

AI generates job descriptions

AI-powered video interview analysis

AI scoring of candidate assessments

Not used yet in our process

N/A — I'm a candidate

As a candidate, have you used AI tools in your job search?

Yes — for resume writing and optimization

Yes — for cover letters and outreach

Yes — for interview prep

No — I haven't used AI for job searching

N/A — I'm on the hiring side

What do you think is the most important factor in getting hired in 2026?

Demonstrable AI skills and tool fluency

Strong professional network and referrals

Specific domain expertise

Portfolio and demonstrated work

Cultural fit and soft skills

Speed and persistence in applying

How has AI changed the number of roles open at your organization?

Fewer roles — AI has replaced headcount

Same number of roles

More roles — AI created new positions

Roles have shifted — different skills needed

I don't have visibility into this

Rate how well current hiring practices identify truly skilled candidates

What's the biggest problem with how hiring works in 2026 — from either side of the table?

Email (optional — to receive the published report)

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