What Employers Want from Recruiters in 2026

The recruitment landscape has shifted significantly over the past few years, and in 2026 employers are clearer than ever about what they expect from recruitment partners. What employers want from recruiters in 2026 goes far beyond CVs and quick placements. Businesses are navigating skills shortages, evolving workplace expectations, tighter budgets and greater scrutiny on hiring decisions, and they expect recruiters to add real strategic value.

This change isn’t about doing “more”, it’s about doing better. Employers want insight, honesty and long-term thinking, and recruitment partners who truly understand their business, market and people challenges.

Several trends have reshaped employer priorities:

• Skills shortages across technical, professional and specialist roles
• Increased focus on retention, culture and long-term fit
• Hybrid and flexible working now being the norm, not the exception
• Greater scrutiny on recruitment spend and ROI
• Access to more market data and salary benchmarking tools

As a result, what employers want from recruiters in 2026 is far more consultative and insight-led than transactional.

Employers expect recruiters to:

• Understand their sector challenges and skills gaps
• Keep up with regulatory, economic and market changes
• Know how competitor organisations are hiring and retaining talent
• Speak the same language as hiring managers and leadership teams

Generic recruitment approaches simply don’t cut through anymore. Employers want recruiters who act as an extension of their business, not just an external supplier.

At Sammons, this is why our consultants specialise by sector and discipline, allowing us to bring meaningful insight rather than surface-level commentary. Learn more about our approach here.

One of the biggest changes in what employers want from recruiters in 2026 is honesty. That includes:

• Transparent feedback on salary expectations
• Realistic advice on talent availability
• Clear guidance on role design and flexibility
• Challenging assumptions when needed

Employers increasingly value recruiters who are prepared to say, “This role will struggle unless something changes,” rather than promising results that don’t align with market reality.

The UK Office for National Statistics continues to highlight ongoing vacancy pressures across multiple sectors, reinforcing the need for realistic hiring strategies.

Speed to hire still matters, but not at the expense of fit. Employers want recruiters who prioritise:

• Long-term retention, not short-term placement
• Cultural alignment and values match
• Candidate motivation and career intent
• Thorough screening and meaningful shortlists

In 2026, what employers want from recruiters is fewer CVs and better conversations, supported by clear rationale behind every recommendation.

Recruiters now play a key role in employer branding, whether organisations realise it or not. Employers expect recruiters to:

• Represent their brand professionally and accurately
• Communicate clearly and consistently with candidates
• Provide constructive feedback
• Create a positive experience (even for unsuccessful applicants)

Poor candidate experiences reflect directly back on employers. Trusted recruitment partners help protect and enhance reputation in competitive markets.

You can explore current opportunities and see how we support candidate journeys here.

More employers are moving away from reactive hiring and towards long-term workforce planning. As a result, what employers want from recruiters in 2026 includes:

• Ongoing market intelligence and salary benchmarking
• Support with workforce planning and succession
• Advice on employer value proposition (EVP)
• Insight into emerging skills and future roles

This shift reflects a broader trend identified by CIPD, which continues to emphasise strategic workforce planning as a key driver of organisational resilience.

From our teams across Farnham, Hastings and Basildon, we’re seeing employers increasingly value relationships over transactions. Clients want fewer agencies, deeper partnerships and recruiters who genuinely understand their pressures, not just their vacancies.

You can meet the specialists behind those conversations here.

1. What do employers want from recruiters in 2026? Employers want insight-led recruitment partners who understand their business, provide honest market advice and focus on long-term success, not just filling roles.
2. Why is honest salary advice important in recruitment? Honest salary guidance helps employers avoid prolonged vacancies and ensures roles align with real market expectations in 2026.
3. How does Sammons support employers differently? Sammons works as a long-term partner, offering sector expertise, market intelligence and tailored recruitment solutions across the South East and beyond.
4. Are recruiters still relevant with AI and job boards? Yes: employers value recruiters more than ever for human insight, filtering, and relationship management that technology alone cannot provide.

Understanding what employers want from recruiters in 2026 is about recognising the shift towards trust, insight and partnership. Recruitment today is less about speed alone and more about outcomes: retention, culture fit and long-term success. At Sammons, we work closely with employers to navigate these changes with clarity and confidence.

If you’d like to discuss how your recruitment approach is evolving, our teams are here to help. Call 01252 727887 to speak with our Farnham team, 01424 723723 for Hastings, or 01277 268 988 for our Pensions specialists. Alternatively, email enquiries@sammons.co.uk and we’ll be happy to support your hiring plans for 2026 and beyond.