Nexxt, a leading HR technology company that helps employers reach candidates at scale, recently announced the results of a national survey of more than 1,500 job seekers which revealed a clear shift in candidate behavior, AI tool usage, and a more strategic approach toward the job search for candidates who wish to stay competitive.
The job market of 2025 was defined by a lot of uncertainty—hiring slowed and became more deliberate and candidates felt that. Now that we’re firmly in a new year, have the rules of the game changed?
According to survey respondents, 2026 will bring more candidate applies, but as an employer, how can you make sure they’re the right applications?
Download Nexxt’s latest whitepaper: Understanding Candidate Behavior in a More Complex Market
This is in depth reports breaks down the data from the survey, shares what that means for employers in 2026, and displays the full survey results.
Here’s a sneak peek of some of the findings:
- Nearly 80% of job seekers plan to apply to more jobs in 2026.
- 45% of job seekers are using AI tools in their job search.
- One out of three job seekers say they have used or plan to use AI in their most recent job.
- 45% of job seekers believe they will find a jobin 2026.
- A retirement plan with a company match, followed closely by healthcare options are the two top most desired work perks.
For a more on insights from Nexxt’s latest job seeker survey, download our free whitepaper to access data-backed takeaways to help you engage with the right talent.
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Nexxt is a leading HR technology company that uses today’s most effective marketing tactics to reach candidates at scale. Learn more about hiring with Nexxt.