‘Talent Outlook 2026’: Where Jobs Are Growing This Year – And Where They’re Not

Job Market Overview - The job market for the Class of 2026 is stable but selective, with 16% of global companies planning to reduce staffing levels and another 16% expecting to hire more [1] - 40% of companies anticipate maintaining current staffing levels, while 4% are uncertain about their hiring plans [1] Employment Outlook - Net Employment Outlooks have slightly improved from the previous quarter but remain lower than the same period last year, indicating a cautious hiring sentiment among employers [2] - Employers are not in expansion mode despite a recent uptick in hiring sentiment [2] Industries Hiring in 2026 - The finance sector has the strongest Net Employment Outlook at 32%, indicating resilience for business students [3] - The information sector follows with a Net Employment Outlook of 29%, although it has cooled compared to prior periods [4] - Construction and real estate, along with professional, scientific, and technical services, both have a Net Employment Outlook of 27%, driven by different market dynamics [4] Additional Industry Insights - Manufacturing shows a modest rebound with a Net Employment Outlook of 25%, while hospitality (24%) and trade and logistics (23%) are experiencing a softening [6] - Utilities and natural resources maintain stability with a Net Employment Outlook of 22% [6] - The public sector, health, and social services have the lowest overall outlook at 20%, but this sector has seen a notable improvement with hiring sentiment up five points [7]