Career Guide: Trends to Watch in 2026
Understanding the 2026 Job Market Landscape
If you’re feeling anxious about looking for a role in 2026, you’re not on your own.
The last year has been difficult for candidates. You send out applications, you wait, and most of the time, you hear nothing. That silence can wear you down.
Companies are still looking for talent. Nearly 1 in 4 employers expect to hire more in 2026. What’s changed is how recruiting works.
The jobs available are changing, too. Entry-level roles have dropped by around 30% since 2024, and companies want different skills: AI fluency, project leadership, data analysis, and adaptability.
The good news?
The change gives you a chance to stand out by showing results, not just your qualifications. About 45 per cent of employers now say they hire based on what people can do, not what’s on their degree or diploma.
Still, the process can take a toll.
Around 70 per cent of job seekers say employers have ghosted them, and most admit the search has affected their mental health. The average job hunt now lasts about five months, and that can feel endless when you’re checking for emails that never come.
Here’s the truth, though: if you show you can adapt, think critically, and work well with both technology and people, you have an edge.
This report is written to help you do exactly that. You’ll learn how to work with AI-driven systems instead of fighting them, how to present your skills with confidence, and how to stay steady through the ups and downs of the search. The market may have changed, but with the right approach, you still have more control than you think.