The Rhino Report: January 2026

For us as recruiters, employers are back, but they're not rushing. Candidates are active again, but they're not jumping at the first offer. This change in 2026 is clearly deliberate and actually good for the market.

From Quiet Quitting to Quiet Moving

In the past, our parents' advice was to stay put, do enough to get by, and wait for stability to return. But let's be honest, we don't want to do that anymore.

What's now emerged is something more human. Candidates are planning moves properly rather than reacting emotionally. Conversations with recruiters are more focused, and job searches are being treated like long-term decisions rather than escapes.

But what does this mean? Fewer rushed resignations and more well-timed moves. Yes, that's a good thing! For employers, this means the candidates you meet are sharper and more selective. For candidates, it means patience is paying off when the right role appears.

A recruiter can, of course, make this process smoother and easier for both employer and employee. I know that's a bold claim by us, but if you want to find out how we really help you, we have written a short 3-minute read on the topic. Simply click this sentence.

Hiring Has Restarted, But the Rules Are Tighter

Of course, the budgets are back, and hiring decisions are moving again, but what hasn't returned is loose hiring. Employers are prioritising people who keep projects moving, clients supported, and teams stable.

Across construction, engineering, legal, and professional services, the pattern is consistent: fewer roles, clearer briefs, and faster decisions once approval is given.

January CVs Are Smarter Than Last Year's

We're all guilty of it. Most of us reading this will update our CV every January, but this time the quality is higher. The rise of AI is making our CVs smoother and cutting out the noise. For the employer, this means they are clearer about what someone actually does well.

For employers, this means recruiters can source better candidates more quickly, and for candidates, it means we can find you a far more accurate role.

AI-powered tools like ChatGPT can be a great starting point when you're crafting your CV, but if you rely on them too much, you might do yourself more harm than good. To help you stay in check, we have written a quick 3-minute read on the topic. Simply click here to be taken straight there.

Pay Still Matters, But Control Is Doing More of the Work

Of course, when it comes down to it, we all still care about salary, but it's no longer carrying the weight of decisions on its own.

Candidates are weighing pay against other factors, such as predictability, autonomy, and the level of control they have over their time. Yes, this includes benefits such as working from home and choosing their own hours.

A role that offers stability, flexibility, and a clear workload is often beating a higher number of well-paying jobs... shocking, right? This is especially true in mid to senior roles, where burnout is common.

Interviews Feel More Grounded

Once again, fueled by AI, candidates have started feeling more confident in interviews with questions and answers ready to go. Candidates are asking practical questions about management style, decision-making, and what success looks like after six months. Employers are being tested for the first time in each and every interview.

Final Thoughts

January 2026 is about to be very different. Both candidates and employers learned hard lessons in 2025. About rushed decisions and burnout.

January and the months ahead will be all about applying those lessons. When momentum builds later in the quarter, the people who are already prepared will be the ones to move first.

See you in February.