WORKNEST ADVISORY
Taking care of your talent The WorkNest team is perfectly placed to guide you through recruitment trends for 2026, with seven things to expect when hiring this year ‒ and advice on how to plan ahead. HIGHER EXPECTATIONS If there’s one thing recruitment has taught us over the past few years, it is that the market rarely stands still for long. As we head into 2026, organisations are feeling the same mix of opportunity and uncertainty. Hiring is complex, candidate expectations are higher and recruitment decisions are under more scrutiny. But with the right approach, this year also brings real opportunities to hire smarter, fairer and more sustainably.
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We look at the key recruitment trends shaping how organisations attract, assess and retain talent in 2026. We also explain how WorkNest’s recruitment specialists can support you to navigate these changes confidently. 1. Skills matter more than ever (and CVs matter less) As in 2025, there’s a move away from ‘perfect on paper’ candidates towards those with the right skills and potential. In
2026, key questions are: ‘What does this role really need to deliver now and in the future?’ This focus on skills-based hiring is one of the most significant recruitment trends we’re seeing this year. At WorkNest, we help organisations: ● Redesign and re-evaluate roles. ● Focus on skills and behaviours. ● Build assessment processes that don’t just tick boxes but genuinely support better hiring decisions. www.pizzapastamagazine.co.uk 12/02/2026 22:54