UNITED STATES — New LinkedIn research has found a widening gap between job seekers and recruiters in the job market in 2026.
Censuswide conducted this survey among 19,113 respondents from November 13 to 28, 2025, and 6,554 global HR professionals from November 10 to 27, 2025, and included markets from:
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Its data captured the struggling job market from both the workers’ and the employers’ perspectives as talent pools continue to shift and grow in competition.
Key Research Findings Include:
- 52% of individuals globally are seeking new opportunities in 2026, but nearly two-thirds say finding a job has become more difficult.
- 66% of recruiters believe it has become harder to find qualified candidates.
- 42% of them feel pressured to fill roles faster.
- 39% of them are burdened to uncover ‘hidden gem’ candidates.
The AI Edge in Both Job Hunting and Hiring
Amid the pressures of a constantly changing job market, AI stands out as a powerful tool that helps both sides meet.
Job seekers now hesitate less to apply even when there’s a probable job mismatch, thanks to AI tools that help them discover the right opportunities. They suggest openings where candidates meet the required qualifications and skills.
As a result, job seekers planning to leverage AI in their search have increased to 81%, with nearly half (48%) believing it will give them the confidence to stand out in interviews.
For recruiters, a majority of them (93%) plan to increase their reliance on AI. They believe it will give them a competitive edge by helping them:
- Discover ‘hidden gem’ candidates (59%)
- Have more valuable conversations with applicants (70%)
- Have better candidate insights and larger talent pools (68%)
With the proper approach, this accelerating AI adoption is transforming the job market. It’s helping align businesses with the right candidates and job seekers with the right opportunities.
