About this episode

David Jones discusses the evolving landscape of hiring and what candidates need to know for 2026.

The rules around work, hiring, and what a suitable candidate looks like for a hiring manager are changing fast. We’re seeing shifts driven by tech and demographics which are likely to only move further in 2026. That’s why, in this week’s episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by David Jones, Labor Market Economist and CEO & Talent Partner at talent assessment, technology, and leadership development company, Mercer Talent Enterprise. We break down what’s coming next, and what both candidates and employers need to pay attention to heading into 2026. From how graduates can navigate a new career while AI technologies rapidly advance, to the traits that will separate top candidates from the rest, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate what’s ahead with clarity. Covered in this episode: 00:00 - Intro 01:22 - What’s changing across the talent landscape in 2026? 03:22 - Where demand is rising for graduates. 03:43 - How people staying in jobs longer changes the workplace. 07:57 - The number one trait the next generation needs to develop in 2026. 09:58 - How to position yourself strategically as a candidate as technology advances. 12:10 - ‘AI CV…

People in this episode

Hosts: Selby Jennings, Phaidon International

Guest: David Jones

Topics covered

• hiring trends
• future of work
• candidate evaluation
• AI in recruitment
• graduate employment
• workplace demographics

Keywords

• hiring
• 2026
• candidates
• AI technology
• graduate careers
• workplace changes
• talent assessment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mercer Talent Enterprise

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