If your small to medium business struggled to find and hire the right talent in 2025, don’t expect things to improve that much in 2026, according to the current outlook. Of course, with unabated economic uncertainty flowing into 2026, anything can happen.
How can you cope and thrive in 2026? The slow job market may mean you have access to more talent, but that talent is pickier about what company is best for them. Many talented workers still want flexible schedules, including remote work.
Your ability to offer that puts your company at the top of the list as the big guys embrace RTO mandates. It’s challenging to find the right talent if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Using AI to automate screening won’t help if your job descriptions are a hodgepodge.
Clearly define the technical and soft skills required for the job. Don’t forget to include traits that align with your company culture. If adaptability is a must, that should be part of the job description.
There are many digital job boards where you can post your openings. Indeed is rated among the best for hourly jobs, and LinkedIn ranks among the best for management and highly skilled positions. ZipRecruiter earns high marks for quickly finding talent and offers a dedicated section for small- to medium-sized businesses.
If you’re struggling with how many to hire, there are integrated CRM and Workforce planning solutions. The most recommended for small to medium businesses are Monday.com, Zoho CRM plus Zoho projects, and HubSpot CRM.
Author: Kris Keppeler, a curious writer who finds technology fascinating. Follow her on X (Twitter) @KrisNarrates, on Medium.com @kriskeppeler, and LinkedIn.
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