Recruiting & talent
Hiring markets, recruiting technology, skills shortages and the competition for talent.
48 briefs
Today · Monday 26 October
- United States·Research
US seasonal job postings up about 10% YoY in 2026 as e-commerce demand rises
According to Indeed Hiring Lab, seasonal job postings in the US were up about 10% year over year as of September 30, 2026, seen as an early sign of labor market optimism. Retail's share of seasonal postings fell to 61% from roughly two-thirds in 2019, while warehouse roles rose from 3.5% to 9%. Amazon announced plans to hire 300,000 workers this holiday season.
- United States·Policy & Law
Colorado business groups urge delay on AI hiring disclosure rules
Colorado business groups are asking Attorney General Phil Weiser to delay enforcement of the state's AI decision-making tools law and to tighten definitions of 'data sources,' a tool's 'material influence,' and 'meaningful human review' before finalizing rules. The AG's office is finalizing disclosure and appeal-rights requirements for AI use in job, credit, or housing decisions, having heard public testimony on the latest draft this week.
- United States·Research
Report: Rising costs and repetitive tasks push HR to rethink its role
According to a new report, AI is now part of daily operations for most benefits leaders, yet 47% still spend four or more hours daily on routine tasks. isolved's Amy Mosher says employers can rethink benefits and use AI to free up HR teams for strategic work, warning that cutting benefit options to manage rising costs risks damaging recruitment and retention.
- United States·Policy & Law
White House clears proposed PERM green card overhaul to boost protections for US workers
The White House has cleared a proposed overhaul of the PERM employment-based green card program, weeks after PERM suspensions hit major companies including Microsoft. The Labor Department says current rules date to 2004 and rely on outdated newspaper ads. Reforms would focus on recruiting Americans, protecting laid-off workers, non-discriminatory hiring and employer recordkeeping, and will go out for public comment.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Romania's pay transparency bill still under review, KPMG advises employers to prepare
KPMG reports that Romania's forthcoming pay transparency framework will bring major changes to compensation, recruitment and access to pay information. The draft law is still being reviewed, having been referred back to reporting committees for further work, though its direction is taking shape. KPMG advises employers to start preparing.
- United States·Policy & Law
US employers urged to review how long they retain workforce data
The article notes that former employees' data can linger in email archives, collaboration tools, badge logs, fleet telematics, and vendor systems. US federal rules set minimums: EEOC requires personnel records kept at least one year (longer if a discrimination charge is filed), and FLSA requires payroll records kept at least three years. It cites the FTC's January 2026 order against General Motors and the CPPA's September 2025 action against Tractor Supply as enforcement examples involving data retention.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Zacatecas employers consider more hiring ahead of 40-hour work week
Employers in Zacatecas, Mexico, are reportedly evaluating increased hiring ahead of the upcoming 40-hour work week reform. The report provides no specific figures or implementation timeline.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
India's top IT firms diverge on headcount in September quarter
India's four largest IT services firms reported divergent headcount trends in the September 2026 quarter: HCLTech added a net 6,450 employees, Infosys added 4,480, TCS continued expanding, while Wipro cut 6,716. HCLTech reversed a prior-quarter decline, driven mainly by fresher hiring, ending at 230,339 employees with attrition at 12.8%; Infosys reached 332,542 employees with voluntary attrition easing to 12.7%.
- China·Research
Experts discuss how Chinese firms' overseas expansion creates youth jobs abroad amid risks
At a labor economics forum in Beijing on Chinese firms' overseas expansion and youth employment abroad, experts noted that by end-2025 China had 58,000 overseas enterprises employing 4.761 million people, including about 1.8 million Chinese expatriates. Experts cited talent gaps in Africa, Central Asia and Latin America and called for credential recognition and support for returning youth, while warning of risks from informal recruitment channels.
- China·News
Shanghai holds fourth seasonal job fair for returning overseas students, offering 2,259 positions
On October 23, 2026, the Shanghai Human Resources Public Service Center held the fourth seasonal job fair for returning overseas students, with 81 employers offering 2,259 positions and nearly 1,000 students attending. The event combined in-person recruiting with AI-assisted resume writing and job matching, featuring companies like AUMOVIO, Spring Airlines and CP Group.
- China·News
BOSS Zhipin cracks down on rented accounts and fake job listings
BOSS Zhipin issued a notice targeting the rental/sale of recruiter accounts and posting of fabricated job listings, having already banned multiple violating accounts. The platform warned recruiters against third-party 'posting services' and cited cases of recruiters losing RMB9,000 and RMB1,600 to account rental scams, urging job seekers to verify job authenticity.
- Asia-Pacific·Funding
India's Hunar.AI raises Rs 40 crore Series A to expand frontline workforce conversational AI
Bengaluru-based conversational AI startup Hunar.AI has raised Rs 40 crore ($4.8m) in a Series A round led by Blume Ventures, with participation from Hyderabad Angels Fund, Seedstars International and others. Founded in 2022, the company helps manage frontline workforce hiring, onboarding, training and engagement across 20+ languages, and will use funds for AI infrastructure, product development and market expansion.
- Europe·Research
McKinsey HR Monitor 2026 finds only 22% of firms do skills-based planning
McKinsey's HR Monitor 2026 finds only 22% of surveyed companies plan workforce needs based on skills, and just 11% pursue long-term workforce planning. The article notes AI and shifting role profiles are rapidly changing required competencies, urging mid-sized firms to align skills development with strategy.
- Europe·Product
Stepstone launches pay-per-application recruiting campaigns to rival Indeed
German recruitment platform Stepstone has introduced pay-per-application recruiting campaigns, following a similar offering already available on Indeed, according to talent360's Kamila Gula. The feature lets employers allocate budget based on application volume and quality per role, with campaigns managed via programmatic ad technology.
- China·Policy & Law
BOSS Zhipin cracks down on rental and resale of recruiter accounts for 'shell recruiting'
Chinese recruitment platform BOSS Zhipin said it will crack down on the renting and selling of recruiter accounts and so-called 'shell recruiting' practices. The report does not specify concrete enforcement measures, timing, or scale involved.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
UAE issues guidance on 12 work permit categories, fines for misuse up to Dh1 million
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation published guidance in October 2026 covering 12 work permit categories. Employers who use a permit outside its approved purpose face fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million. The categories include standard recruitment, transfers, family-sponsored residents, temporary and part-time permits, affecting foreign workers including Kenyans.
- United States·Research
Stefanini's global CHRO highlights four core skills for AI-era hiring
Stefanini Group Global CHRO Bruno Szarf says AI is now a required skill in a third of entry-level jobs and has been adopted by 47% of U.S. employers. He recommends hiring based on four core qualities: change management, critical thinking, practical thinking and AI fluency, rather than traditional technical checklists.
- Global·Research
Korn Ferry report predicts hiring, learning and workforce planning functions to merge by 2027
Korn Ferry's 13th annual Talent Trends report, published 22 October 2026 and surveying over 1,300 talent and senior leaders across more than 75 countries, found 69% agree HR, talent acquisition, learning and workforce planning will merge into a single integrated function by 2027. New senior HR roles focused on skills, work design and AI are expected to emerge, with 77% citing capability gaps as a bigger challenge than talent shortages and 66% planning heavy investment in reskilling.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Infosys adds 4,480 employees in Q2, headcount hits 332,542
Infosys added 4,480 employees in Q2 FY27, bringing total headcount to 332,542 as of September 30, 2026, up just 551 year-on-year. The company also hired 8,000 freshers this quarter toward a full-year target of about 20,000, more than half already met.
Yesterday · Sunday 25 October
- United States·Research
US manufacturing jobs rebound but hiring now favors higher skills, education
US manufacturing employment is growing again, but increased factory automation and complexity mean many new jobs now require a college degree or advanced training, according to a Wall Street Journal report. While these higher-skill roles offer better pay and profits, employers risk facing a shortage of adequately trained workers if training programs fail to keep pace.
- Europe·News
SHEIN Launches Large-Scale Recruitment at European Logistics Hub in Poland
Cross-border e-commerce firm SHEIN announced major recruitment at its Polish logistics hub, adding ~3,000 jobs in 2026 across warehouse operations and sorting. As of June 30, 2026, SHEIN's Poland warehouse spans ~600 square meters and plans automated sorting systems to boost efficiency.
- Global·Research
Green-Skilled Workers Hired at 1.5x Overall Rate, LinkedIn Data Shows
LinkedIn's October 22, 2026 「Global Green Skills Report 2026」 (39 pages) shows green-skilled workers hired 52.7% faster than overall workforce. Green recruitment share grew 25% year-over-year while green talent share rose only 13%, widening supply-demand gaps. Most hiring concentrated in finance, operations and tech rather than dedicated sustainability teams.
- Europe·Research
Nearly 56% of UK businesses feel negative about Employment Rights Act impact
A Peninsula survey found nearly 56% of UK businesses feel negative about the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA), which takes effect January 1, 2027. 43% of businesses were concerned about hiring risks, rising to 51% among firms with 5-20 employees. A quarter cited unfair dismissal changes as a major or critical risk (44.4% in retail/wholesale). While 73% were familiar with the ERA, only 47% felt prepared, and hospitality was the most negative sector at 89%.
- China·News
Four job fairs at Heilongjiang universities offer over 32,000 positions this fall
Four universities in Heilongjiang—Heilongjiang University, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Qiqihar University and Jiamusi University—held autumn job fairs for 2027 graduates, attracting over 1,400 employers and offering more than 32,000 jobs combined. The province has held 165 job fairs this fall with 200+ more planned by year-end, and launched a provincial 'employment supermarket' platform hosting over 50,000 companies offering 100,000+ monthly openings.
- China·Product
BOSS Zhipin Expands AI Recruiting from Matching to Delivery
BOSS Zhipin is expanding AI recruiting capabilities beyond job-candidate matching into recruitment delivery stages to unlock growth, though specific product details and metrics were not disclosed.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Survey Finds 35.9% of Japanese Organizations Lack Enough Language Teachers for New Foreign Worker System
Japan's immigration authority and Labor Ministry surveyed 1,880 organizations through October 7, receiving 348 valid responses. Some 35.9% lack sufficient registered Japanese language teachers with no hiring prospects; 19% expect recruitment success. From April 2026, the new Skill Development Employment System replaces intern programs, requiring foreign workers to pass A1-level Japanese or complete 100+ hours training.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Japan Faces Shortage of Japanese-Language Teachers for Foreign Workers
A survey finds 35.9% (125) of responding institutions lack sufficient Japanese-language teachers for foreign workers with no hiring outlook. Japan has approximately 20,000 registered Japanese-language instructors as of August.
- United States·Research
Goldman Sachs Flags 10,000-Job AI-Related Hiring Gap
Goldman Sachs economist Joseph Briggs reported October 22, 2026, that labor market data shows AI-related hiring slowdown, with AI-sensitive industries running 10,000 fewer jobs below long-term trend in three months. AI transformation could displace up to 9% of workers.
- China·Policy & Law
Shunde, Foshan unveils 20 measures for HR services industry and launches job drive
On October 24, 2026, Shunde district in Foshan, Guangdong launched its 'Employment 100' campaign and previewed a forthcoming 20-point policy to boost the HR services industry. Seven HR service providers signed intent agreements, and a catering-sector job fair offered over 140 positions with monthly pay from RMB 3,000 to 30,000, drawing over 4,400 jobseekers.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Karnataka CM Warns Bengaluru IT Firms Over Alleged Bias Against Kannadiga Job Seekers
On October 25, 2026, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar warned on social media that Bengaluru IT firms allegedly discriminate against Kannadiga job seekers. The government promised action if bias is confirmed but named no companies or specific measures.