Holmdel-based iCIMS has published its iCIMS Insights January 2026 Workforce Report, providing an analysis of labor market trends at the end of 2025 and their potential impact on hiring strategies for the coming year. The report finds that both job openings and job seeker activity remained higher than usual through December, indicating ongoing movement in the labor market as organizations plan for 2026.
According to the report, job openings increased by 6% from November to December and rose by 8% compared to the previous year. This growth was particularly notable in manufacturing (up 2%), healthcare (up 8%), and transportation (up 12%). Applications submitted by job seekers also climbed by 7% year over year. The data shows a continued interest in internal mobility, with internal applications increasing by 8% compared to last year.
The report highlights that these trends occurred alongside the U.S. unemployment rate reaching its highest level in four years during November.
Trent Cotton, head of talent acquisition insights at iCIMS, commented on these findings: “Recent trends in the labor market suggest we may see another shift in how and when workers make career moves. We could see an evolution from ‘job hugging’ to ‘job chaining’ as employees remove themselves from the job market due to instability and uncertainty. If the job market changes positively, employee confidence could prompt them to reenter the market to seek better opportunities.”
In addition to statistical data, the report includes workforce sentiment and expert perspectives aimed at helping talent leaders prepare for challenges ahead. Jess Von Bank, global leader of HR digital transformation & technology advisory at Mercer, offered this view: “The defining trend of 2026 will be the attempted rise of the supercompany: organizations trying to centralize, standardize, automate and scale their way out of volatility and irrelevance. 2026 won’t be about better talent strategy. It will be about a bigger attempt at control.”
