Robert Half

“Around two thirds of US employers intend to raise permanent hiring in the second half of 2026, according to a recent survey by staffing firm Robert Half. The figure of 66% marks an increase from 60% …”

“Technology positions top the list, with 78% of firms indicating a need for such workers.”

“Healthcare follows at 75%”

“finance and accounting at 74%”

“marketing and creative at 65%”

“legal at 58%”

“Human resources (56%) and administration or customer support (52%) also remain in demand despite some automation gains.”

“When asked about the most difficult skills to source, employers highlighted industry-specific knowledge (47%), software proficiency (42%) and leadership ability (40%).”

“To bridge these gaps, 56% of companies plan to add contract talent, hoping to secure specialised expertise quickly.”