Now Hiring! A Newsletter About Staffing, Recruiting, and Talent

Hi readers, 

Happy 2026. The year is already off to a fast start.

Below, we’ve rounded up a few stories worth reading across hiring, staffing, and talent.

📈 Top Hiring Shifts in 2026 Every Recruiter Should Know

The 2026 hiring outlook underscores a shift toward AI-enabled recruiting, skills-first hiring, and more precise talent strategies—raising the bar for how staffing firms deliver value.

Read more here.

📊 Staffing Demand Holds Firm in an Uncertain Market

Despite market uncertainty, hiring optimism suggests employers will continue leaning on staffing firms for hard-to-find talent.

Read more here.

🏥 Travel Nursing After the Pandemic Finds Its Footing

After pandemic-driven highs, travel nursing is stabilizing as bill rates normalize, while persistent nurse shortages and demand for flexible staffing continue to support long-term growth.

Read more here.

🤖 India’s AI Vision Aims to Power Innovation and Inclusive Growth

For staffing professionals, the IndiaAI Mission points to growing demand for AI and digital talent as adoption accelerates.

Read more here.

💥 AI’s Economic Reality Check Raises Bigger Risks Than Rewards

As AI economics come under scrutiny, employers may prioritize pragmatic, productivity-driven roles—shifting demand toward talent that balances automation with human judgment.

Read more here.

🔢 By the Numbers

19. The number of U.S. states that raised minimum wages at the start of the year, increasing labor costs and reshaping pay expectations across entry-level and hourly roles.

Read more here. 

🎧 Now Recording Season Three of Now Hiring!

We’re underway with recording Season Three.

If you have a story — or lessons in resilience — to share with the industry, we’d love to hear from you.

Email us at [email protected]. 

In the meantime, catch up on the latest episodes of Now Hiring!—featuring candid conversations on hiring and recruiting, from emerging trends to practical takeaways you can use right away.

Listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

📣 Join the Conversation on Slack

We’re building a new Slack community — Now Hiring! A Community About Staffing, Recruiting, and Talent — and we’d love for you to be part of it.

Connect with industry peers, share insights, and stay plugged into what’s happening across staffing and recruiting.

Grab your spot here.

Thanks for reading! What did you think? What would you like us to include in future editions? Feel free to provide feedback to editor-in-chief Steve Vittorioso at [email protected]. We always love hearing from industry leaders and practitioners like you.