Survey: Nearly 4 in 10 Professionals Plan to Search for a New Job in 2026
Robert Half (NYSE:RHI) survey finds 38% of employed U.S. workers plan to look for a new job in H1 2026, up from 27% in July and 29% one year ago.
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Rhea-AI Summary
Robert Half (NYSE:RHI) survey finds 38% of employed U.S. workers plan to look for a new job in H1 2026, up from 27% in July and 29% one year ago.
Top motivators: better benefits 36%, limited advancement 34%, more competitive pay 33%, and burnout 24%. Groups most likely to move: tech and healthcare 44%, Gen Z 42%, and working parents 42%. Separate survey of >450 job seekers found 68% expect longer searches; common challenges include competition (59%), mismatched preferences (46%) and skills gaps (37%).
Details
News Market Reaction – RHI
On Dec 11, the day this news came out, RHI closed 1.46% above the previous close.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Dec 11 session.
Key Figures
- Workers planning job search
- 38%
- Employed U.S. workers planning to look for a new job in early 2026
- Prior reading July
- 27%
- Employed workers planning to look for a new job as of July
- Prior reading year ago
- 29%
- Employed workers planning to look for a new job one year ago
- Better benefits motivator
- 36%
- Workers citing desire for better benefits as top motivator
- Tech & healthcare movers
- 44%
- Tech and healthcare workers likely to launch a job search in early 2026
- Gen Z job searchers
- 42%
- Gen Z professionals likely to launch a job search in early 2026
- Working parents searchers
- 42%
- Working parents likely to launch a job search in early 2026
- Job search longer than prior
- 68%
- Job seekers expecting the search to take longer than previous searches
Historical Context
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Microsoft AI Inner Circle award highlighted Protiviti’s AI client work and innovation.
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Golf ambassador’s tournament win and charity meals donation tied to brand campaign.
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Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.59 per share with set record and pay dates.
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Research showed AI users save 7.5 hours/week and up to $18,000 per employee annually.
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Recognition on Fortune and Forbes lists for top workplaces for women globally.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- Robert Half research reveals the factors influencing job search plans, plus common pain points
- New Job Search Strategies Guide provides a playbook for workers looking to change roles
View job search plans over time.
Factors Influencing Job Search Plans
When asked about the top motivators driving job search plans, workers cited:
- A desire for better benefits (
36% ) - Limited career advancement opportunities at their company (
34% ) - More competitive pay (
33% ) - Burnout (
24% )
"Many workers felt the need to stay put in 2025, but we're beginning to see signs of a thaw as we head into the new year," said Dawn Fay, operational president of Robert Half. "Career growth and development are back in focus, and if an employer can't offer those opportunities, workers no longer feel compelled to stay."
Workers Most Likely to Make a Move
According to the research, the workers most likely to launch a job search in early 2026 include tech and healthcare workers (
View a breakdown of how Gen Z professionals are approaching the job search.
Navigating Today's Job Search
Despite a desire to land a new role, job seekers still face some common challenges. In a separate survey, Robert Half asked more than 450 job seekers who are currently in-between roles about their top job search challenges. Sixty-eight percent expect the job search to take longer than previous searches, and other pain points include:
- Too many applicants and competition for positions (
59% ) - Difficulty finding a job that matches their workplace preferences (
46% ) - Their skills not matching the job requirements (
37% )
"Today's job seekers are up against a crowded, noisy market," Fay added. "Finding the right fit can feel daunting, but having a clear plan, keeping your skills current, and tapping into your network and available tools can help you stand out."
The job market is evolving quickly—Robert Half's latest Job Search Strategies Guide offers practical steps to help job seekers navigate today's challenges and stand out.
About the Research
The research is gathered from a survey developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm in November 2025. The survey contains responses from more than 2,000 employed workers and more than 450 unemployed job seekers in
About Robert Half
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support, and we also provide executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune® Most Admired Companies™ and 100 Best Companies to Work For. Explore talent solutions, research and insights at roberthalf.com.
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SOURCE Robert Half
FAQ
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