5 Strategies Talent Acquisition Leaders Are Prioritizing for H2 2026

Heading into H2 2026, Talent Acquisition teams are planning against a labor market that’s largely stalled. Job postings have ticked up slightly compared to last year, but hires and quits continue to decline, layoffs are up 2.2% YoY, and there’s still no clear catalyst for a market rebound in sight. For Heads of Talent Acquisition, that means the usual ways TA proves its value — by moving fast, filling reqs, and keeping pipelines full — are harder to lean on when there’s simply less hiring happening.

At the same time, AI continues to reshape recruiting and changing skills needs have TA leaders playing a broader role in shaping business decisions than ever before.

In response, across the organizations we work with, we’re seeing TA leaders shift how they create value by focusing on five key priorities for the second half of the year:

• Building more agile recruiter capabilities
• Realizing measurable gains from AI use
• Rethinking screening and assessment controls for an AI-shaped market
• Connecting internal mobility to workforce priorities
• Repositioning TA as a business strategy partner

On August 13 at 1 p.m. ET, join us as we break down what’s happening in the labor market, why these five priorities are rising to the top, and how leading organizations are responding. Drawing on our ongoing work with 120+ Heads of Talent Acquisition at the nation’s largest employers, we’ll share the market data, real peer examples, and practical insights you need to help focus your team’s efforts for the rest of the year.