Trending in Talent: September 2026 Report
Welcome back to Trending in Talent, where we explore the shifts redefining how we hire, work, and lead. The world of work is changing fast, and we're here to help you make sense of it. Each post brings you expert insight and a touch of bold commentary designed to spark conversation and keep you ahead of the curve.
Fall hiring picked up, but the numbers need context.
LinkedIn’s September report showed hiring increased 1.9% from July to August, while remaining 6.5% below the same time last year. That is a welcome lift, though hardly a reason to assume every search is suddenly moving.
We wrote about the early fall momentum across Monday’s searches in our September Surge piece. The national picture is more uneven. Our advice still holds: candidates should be ready for relevant opportunities, and hiring teams should have their brief, budget, and interview process sorted before launching.
The September Surge Came Early This Year: How Candidates and Clients Can Stay Ahead →
AI use comes with a double standard.
A Code For Good Now study showed 1,000 UK adults an identical AI-supported marketing resume, changing only the name: Emily or James. Respondents were twice as likely to question Emily’s competence, while James was twice as likely to be seen as showing initiative.
We explored that double standard in our final September blog. For hiring teams encouraging AI use, it’s a reminder to make expectations clear—and check that everyone’s work is being judged by the same standards.
She Used AI. So Did He. Guess Who Got Judged for It? →
Hiring has a trust problem on both sides of the inbox.
Alongside its recruiting-product announcement, LinkedIn reported that 64% of surveyed U.S. talent acquisition professionals said assessing what is real and trustworthy about candidates was becoming harder.
We covered the candidate side this month: interviews followed by silence, unclear timelines, and roles that never seem to move. These are different concerns, but both make hiring harder. Employers need clear evidence of someone’s contribution. Candidates need to know where they stand. A thoughtful interview and an honest update go a long way.
The Hiring Process Has a Trust Problem, and Its Name Is Ghosting →
