2026 Talent Pulse Survey: Where Are People Looking for Work?
Posted by EDI Staffing on July 01, 2026
Job searching in 2026 looks nothing like it did just a few years ago. AI is rewriting how applications get filtered. New platforms keep popping up, all promising to be the one that finally connects you to the right opportunity. Hiring practices are shifting, and the market itself feels less predictable than ever. But with all that change, one question keeps coming up: what’s actually working — and what’s driving professionals crazy in the process?
That’s what we’re finding out!
We’re launching the 2026 Talent Pulse Survey — to capture a real-time snapshot of where professionals are searching for work, which tools they’re using, how responsive employers are being, and what truly matters when it comes time to hit “apply.”
Why We’re Asking
EDI Staffing works with candidates and hiring managers every day. We hear the frustrations, the wins, and everything in between. To better serve the professionals we work with — and the employers looking to hire them — we need fresh data.
The insights we gather will help us understand the current job search experience, highlight how companies are communicating with candidates, and give employers a clearer picture of how they can stop missing out on top talent.
Who We’re Talking To
This survey will run through July to professionals across a range of fields, including:
- IT, EDI, AI & Engineering
- Accounting & Finance
- HR & Administration
- Sales & Marketing
- Light Industrial & Legal
- And more (all job seekers welcome!)
Whether you’re actively searching, casually browsing, or somewhere in between — if you’ve been in the job market recently, we want to hear from you!
What We’re Exploring
The Searcher’s Profile: The basics that shape everything else: Are you looking for part-time, contract, temp-to-hire, or full-time work? What field are you in? And how long has the search been going on? This tells us who’s out there and how the current market is treating them.
Where the Search Is Happening: Job seekers today are juggling more platforms than ever — LinkedIn, Indeed, Google Jobs, staffing agency sites, even Facebook groups. We want to know which ones candidates are actually using, which one they trust most, and whether a staffing agency has been part of their search. This tells us where employers should actually be showing up — and where they are wasting their time.
The Candidate’s Experience: This is where it gets real. How long does it take to hear back after candidates apply? Is it a real response? What actually drives their decision to apply somewhere? And what’s frustrating them most about job searching right now? This tells us exactly where the process is breaking down — and for whom.
Recently Looking for Work? Why Take Our Survey
Right now, that gap between what candidates experience and what employers assume is costing everyone — good candidates walk, and good employers lose them without knowing why. Your answers close that gap. We’ll publish the results and use them to hold hiring teams accountable for faster response times, better platform choices, and communication that actually works
Take the Survey!
The 2026 Talent Pulse Survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Every answer helps us build a more accurate view of today’s job market. At the end of the survey, you have the option to provide your email for a chance to win a $50 Starbucks gift card as a thank you for your response.
Not interested, but looking to keep in touch? Contact us.