Why hiring still feels difficult in 2026 – even with more candidates on the market?
If you have recruited recently, you may have noticed something does not quite add up.
You advertise a role and receive a high number of applications. On paper, that should make hiring easier. In reality, many businesses are finding the opposite.
As a recruitment agency in Surrey and Sussex, we are seeing this every day. While there are more candidates actively applying, it is not translating into better hiring outcomes.
There is some wider uncertainty in the background, but the main reason is much simpler. The job market has changed.
More candidates does not mean more suitable candidates
Recent UK labour market data highlights a clear mismatch between candidate availability and employer demand.
According to the Office for National Statistics, unemployment has risen slightly to around 4.3%, yet there are still over 800,000 vacancies across the UK.
At the same time, research from the CIPD shows that more than a third of employers are continuing to face hard-to-fill roles due to skills shortages.
What this means in practice
There are more applicants, but fewer who genuinely meet the requirements of the role.
Skills, experience and attitude still matter, and those are not increasing at the same pace as application numbers.
More applications are creating more work
The way candidates apply for jobs has changed significantly.
With simplified application processes, candidates are applying for more roles, more quickly. Data from Totaljobs shows that application volumes per vacancy have increased across a number of sectors.
The impact on employers
- More CVs to review
- More candidate communication
- More time spent shortlisting
- More interviews that do not lead to a hire
Instead of struggling to attract candidates, businesses are now spending more time managing volume. This slows the process and takes focus away from day-to-day operations.
The cost of hiring has increased
1. Rising advertising costs
Job board pricing has increased, particularly if you want your role to stand out in a competitive market.
2. The cost of internal resource
Time is often the biggest hidden cost.
Reviewing CVs, responding to candidates, coordinating interviews and managing decisions all take time. Hiring processes are also becoming longer and more cautious, particularly at the start of a new financial year.
Even with more applicants, recruitment is not becoming more efficient. In many cases, it is becoming more resource-heavy.
Candidate expectations are still high
This is where the challenge becomes more obvious.
Despite an increase in applications, strong candidates remain selective.
Salary expectations have risen, flexibility is still important and candidates are paying close attention to how businesses communicate throughout the hiring process.
The result
You may have more applicants, but the candidates you actually want to hire are still in demand and often have multiple options.
A quick perspective from us:
“On the surface, it looks like there are more candidates available, but when you get into the detail, the market is just more crowded, not more qualified. Businesses are spending more time managing applications, yet still struggling to find the right people. That is where experience and a more focused approach really makes a difference.”
Sharon Ellis, Managing Director, The Recruitment Consultancy
Why businesses are changing how they recruit
All of this is leading many employers to rethink their approach.
Recruitment is no longer just about placing an advert and waiting for the right person to apply.
A more effective approach includes:
- Focusing on quality rather than volume
- Moving at the right pace
- Filtering effectively from the start
This is where working with a recruitment partner can make a real difference.
Instead of starting from scratch, you are introduced to candidates who have already been met, interviewed and assessed by a professional.
If additional advertising is required, it is managed as part of the process and absorbed by the agency, rather than becoming an additional cost to your business.
Most importantly, you only pay a fee once the right candidate has been found, has accepted your offer and has started. The fee is agreed upfront, giving you full clarity.
If you would like to understand more about how we work, please visit our Employer Services page or alternatively, speak to one of our experienced consultants.
Final thought
This is not a market short of candidates. It is a market short of the right candidates.
More applications can give the impression of choice, but without the right approach, they can slow you down and increase costs.
Taking a more structured and informed approach to recruitment will put you in a much stronger position to secure the people your business needs.
