The new 2026 Job Predictions Report shows how workers view the job market, hiring trends, and their own career stability heading into the new year.
After a year of wage stagnation, hiring slowdowns, and continued shifts in workplace norms, many employees are entering 2026 with tempered expectations. 2 in 3 workers (65%) believe the overall U.S. job market will stay the same or be weaker in 2026 compared to 2025. 49% expect layoffs to be more common and 30% expect remote work opportunities to decrease. The report was commissioned by Zety, a resume templates service.
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Key Findings
- Layoff fears are front and center. 49% of workers expect layoffs to be more common, and 33% say job security/risk of layoffs is their biggest career concern.
- Salary not keeping up with inflation is the biggest concern. The majority (51%) say falling behind on pay is their top worry in 2026.
- Remote work may be losing ground. Three in ten employees (30%) predict a decline in remote work opportunities as more companies pull employees back to the office.
- Job scarcity tops hiring challenges. Half of employees (50%) believe a lack of available jobs will be the biggest barrier to getting hired this year, followed by competition from AI and automation (48%).
- Workers are prioritizing future-proof skills. The majority (69%) believe AI and tech-related skills will be most valuable for job seekers this year, followed by industry certifications (42%).
Employees’ Top Concerns Going into 2026
As workers look ahead to the new year, their biggest career concerns reveal growing anxieties about job stability and workplace conditions. These worries include:
- Salary not keeping up with inflation (51%)
- Finding a new job if needed (34%)
- Job security/risk of layoffs (33%)
- Burnout or mental health concerns (27%)
- Companies cutting remote/flexible work options (25%)
- Lack of career advancement opportunities (20%)
Hiring Outlook for 2026
With 40% of employees expecting more companies to pull back on hiring, many are wary of the biggest barriers to getting hired in a competitive market.
When asked about these barriers, employees cited:
- Lack of available jobs (50%)
- Competition from AI/automation (48%)
- Lack of skills (40%)
- Resume gaps (24%)
- Job hopping (18%)
In addition, 1 in 5 employees (19%) believe salaries for new hires will be lower compared to 2025.
Essential Skills for Job Seekers
To stand out amid potential hiring slowdowns, employees say these skills will be most valuable to job seekers in 2026:
- AI/tech skills (69%)
- Industry-specific certifications (42%)
- Communication and other soft skills (28%)
- Leadership and management (23%)
“With wage growth lagging behind inflation and job security top of mind, employees are entering 2026 facing more uncertainty than in recent years,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert for Zety. “This is a moment for workers to think strategically about their careers, invest in skills that will keep them competitive, and focus on opportunities that offer both stability and growth potential.”
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