LinkedIn Research: Nearly 80% of people feel unprepared to find a job in 2026, as two-thirds of recruiters say it’s harder to find quality talent
More than half (52%) of people globally are looking for a new role in 2026 - despite many saying the job search has become tougher over the last year
Amid growing pressure to uncover ‘hidden gem’ candidates, many recruiters are turning to AI: 59% say AI is already helping them find candidates with skills they never would have found before
All generations, from Boomers to Gen Z, share the same struggle: they’re unsure how to stand out in new AI-driven hiring processes - yet the majority plan to use AI tools in their job search
In a world of constant change and fierce competition, new LinkedIn research shows a widening gap between jobseekers who struggle to stand out, and recruiters who say it’s harder to find quality talent - now is the time to meet the moment.
The labor market continues to be competitive
LinkedIn data shows US applicants per open role have doubled since the spring of 2022.
Nearly two-thirds (65%) of people say finding a job has become more challenging, citing competition as the main hurdle, followed by uncertainty about whether they’re a fit for a role and skills gaps.
Recruiters have fewer open roles to fill and face higher stakes: two-thirds (66%) of recruiters say it’s become harder to find qualified talent over the last year, as they face growing pressure to fill roles faster (42%) and uncover ‘hidden gem’ candidates (39%).
AI gives recruiters a competitive edge and job seekers a confidence boost
93% of recruiters say they plan to increase their use of AI in 2026, and 59% say it's already helping them discover candidates with skills they wouldn't have found before.
Two-thirds of recruiters (66%) plan to increase their use of AI for pre-screening interviews in 2026, which 70% believe will help them have more valuable conversations with candidates.
81% of people have or say they plan to use AI in their job search and nearly half (48%) say AI tools boost their interview confidence.
LinkedIn helps both job seekers and recruiters meet the moment with AI tools that are already delivering real results and a network that helps them make decisions quickly and confidently:
For professionals:
Take steps to navigate your job search with confidence at linkedin.com/jobsearchguide, including actionable advice, tips for using our tools, access to free courses and more.
With LinkedIn’s AI-powered job search, you don’t have to know the keywords or specific job titles to find the job you want - just search in your own words. Over 1.3M members already use the tool every day, and over 25M weekly searches are powered by the tool. It is now rolling out globally in English, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese.
Job seekers can find the right opportunities with LinkedIn’s job match feature, which lets you know how you match the qualifications and skills required for any job on LinkedIn in seconds. This feature has reduced the rate at which US Premium subscribers apply to “low match” jobs by 10%.
With AI-powered people search, type what you’re looking for in plain language and LinkedIn will surface relevant people, unlocking the potential of the world’s largest professional network. Whether launching a business, switching careers, or planning a move, engage your network and find someone who can help you get there.
Additionally, verifying certain information that’s displayed on your Profile is a great way to help build trust and credibility. Verified members get 60% more Profile views and 30% more connection requests, and have a higher chance of hearing back in the job search.
Those looking to explore new opportunities can look to LinkedIn’s annual Jobs on the Rise ranking of the fastest-growing jobs, which includes insights on key skills and learning resources to gain those skills, hiring hotspots, and links to open jobs.
For businesses:
Small businesses can find and connect with qualified candidates faster using LinkedIn Hiring Pro, an AI agent that helps hirers identify, shortlist, and reach out to the most relevant talent. Nearly 60% of hirers find a candidate to interview within the first week, and those who report time savings see an average of 6+ hours saved weekly. The tool is available globally in English, with new AI features - including AI-powered interviews, an updated conversational interface, and personalized InMails - rolling out over the next few months.
Recruiters can uncover hidden gem candidates and save hours per role with Hiring Assistant, LinkedIn’s AI agent for recruiters. Companies like AMD, Aurecon, Chewy, Expedia Group, Fabletics, Insite, Jacobs, Siemens, Wipro, and more are using it to uncover qualified talent faster. Early adopters are saving 4+ hours per role, reviewing 62% fewer profiles, and seeing a 69% improvement in InMail acceptance rates.
Methodology
Consumer and Global HR Professionals Research
This research was conducted by Censuswide in November 2025 among 19,113 consumer respondents between November 13 and November 28, 2025, and among 6,554 global HR professionals between November 10 and November 27, 2025. Markets included the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Sweden, the Netherlands, India, Singapore, Australia, and MENA (Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates). Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society, which is based on the ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is a member of the British Polling Council.