Nearly 1 in 4 employers expect to increase hiring in 2026

Kenneth Fox

New research shows that nearly 1 in 4 employers expect to increase hiring in 2026, according to hiring platforms IrishJobs.

The research gathered insights from 500 employers and 1,000 professionals in Ireland on the evolving hiring landscape and shifting attitudes and actions across the market.

The research also includes data from OTT, an in-house tool developed by the Stepstone Group, the parent company of IrishJobs, which analyses online data on job postings and associated information.

There is a positive hiring outlook for 2026, with nearly 1 in 4 employers (24 per cent) in Ireland planning on increasing recruitment over the next six months, indicating growing confidence among employers following a period of heightened geopolitical and trade volatility.

Large enterprises have the most positive outlook on future hiring, with 27 per cent of these firms expected to increase recruitment over the coming months.

Findings show that smaller firms are more cautious about potential growth, with 21 per cent of SMEs forecasting an increase in hiring in 2026.

A total of 21 per cent of employer's plan on increasing spending on hiring for more specialist roles, while 19 per cent expect to increase hiring for temporary roles and contractors.

33 per cent of employers surveyed have increased their levels of recruitment since April 2025, according to the report findings.

Large businesses were the most active in recruitment, with 35 per cent of these firms hiring more staff over this period

Findings show that 31 per cent of SMEs have increased hiring since April 2025.

However, there are also signs of cooling in certain areas of the labour market. 24 per cent of employers reported restructuring certain teams or departments within their organisation over the previous six months

As employers continue to navigate a highly competitive market for demand, sourcing candidates with in-demand skills is a top challenge.

Nearly 7 in 10 employers (69 per cent) report struggling to recruit talent with the right skills.

Technical skills, such as programming, data analysis, and AI competencies, are the most highly sought-after skills by employers. 30 per cent of employers are prioritising the recruitment of talent with technical skills.

28 per cent of employers are looking to hire candidates with soft skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and communication. 25 per cent of employers say that recruiting candidates with leadership and people management skills is a top priority.

The tight talent landscape is impacting the length of time to successful hiring. The median time for successful hiring is 10 weeks, as employers continue to face challenges in sourcing the right candidates for key positions.

Findings show that recruiters are increasingly using AI tools and automation to reduce administrative burdens and streamline the hiring process.

Nearly half of employers (47 per cent) surveyed are using AI to draft job adverts. 35 per cent of employers are using AI tools to help schedule interviews with job candidates.

Despite elevated uncertainty, jobseeker activity has remained robust across the labour market, with 21 per cent of candidates actively looking for a new job in September 2025.

However, there are signs that greater stability may lead to increased activity in the months ahead. Findings show that 29 per cent of candidates plan to look for a new job in 2026.

Salary is the top factor candidates consider when evaluating a new job and employer. Work-life balance is the second most important factor, with 31 per cent of candidates considering it important when considering a new job.

There are also signs that international volatility is having a growing impact on the selection of employers by candidates, with 29 per cent of candidates ranking job security as a crucial factor influencing selection.

Flexibility is increasingly a baseline expectation for many job candidates. 71 per cent of candidates would consider leaving their job if flexible working were not provided by their employer.