Bullhorn GRID Talent Trends Report

The annual GRID Talent Trends Report is based on data collected from a multiple-choice, online survey to almost 2,300 professionals who have worked with a recruitment agency in the last three years. Respondents work across a variety of industries and around the globe, including North America, the UK and Ireland, Benelux, DACH, and APAC.

Key takeaway: The recruitment industry in 2026 is at an inflection point. The market is showing signs of recovery after three challenging years, while AI is rapidly redefining how recruitment agencies operate and how talent searches for, evaluates, and secures jobs. Candidates don't want AI to replace recruiters; they want recruiters empowered by AI.

Some key data points:

• 69% of candidates have encountered AI deployed by their recruitment agency, 75% are using AI themselves.

• 55% of candidates said finding jobs that match their skills is the most useful part of AI in recruitment

• Candidates said that getting a response to every application is the best benefit of AI in recruitment, followed by moving through the process quickly

• 92% of candidates interviewed by an AI voice agent said it was as good as, or better than, a live interview with a person