Nine in 10 U.S. companies plan to hire in 2026, but more than half also expect to conduct layoffs, according to a new survey that reveals widespread workforce restructuring.
The survey of 1,000 U.S. hiring managers found 92 per cent of companies plan to hire next year, with 86 per cent hiring in the first quarter. At the same time, 55 per cent expect layoffs in 2026, including 48 per cent who say cuts will definitely or probably occur in the first quarter.
Resume.org, which conducted the survey in December, found companies cite artificial intelligence, reorganization and budget constraints as the top drivers of layoffs.
AI used to justify workforce decisions
The survey found 59 per cent of companies admit they emphasize AI when explaining hiring freezes or layoffs because it plays better with stakeholders than citing financial constraints.
Only nine per cent of companies say AI has fully replaced certain roles, while 45 per cent say it has partially reduced the need for new hires. Another 45 per cent report AI has had little to no impact on staffing levels.
“AI has become an explanation because it sounds strategic, forward-looking, and inevitable,” said Kara Dennison, head of career advising at Resume.org. “Saying roles are being affected by AI signals innovation and modernization, while acknowledging financial strain can raise concerns among investors, employees, and customers.”
Dennison said employees recognize when AI is used as a blanket explanation without meaningful changes to workloads, which can erode trust in leadership.
Companies seek problem solvers
The survey found problem-solving skills ranked as the most important capability for candidates in 2026, with 54 per cent of hiring managers selecting it in their top three skills.
The ability to learn new tools and technologies quickly ranked second at 44 per cent, followed by communication skills at 43 per cent.
Adaptability ranked at 39 per cent and collaboration at 36 per cent. Familiarity with AI tools ranked at 31 per cent, while leadership potential trailed at 21 per cent.
Selective hiring continues
Companies holding back on hiring cite budget constraints as the primary barrier at 48 per cent, followed by revenue uncertainty at 39 per cent and pressure to control costs at 38 per cent.
“Most organizations are reducing roles that are higher-cost, slower to yield ROI, or misaligned with new operating models,” said Dennison. “At the same time, they’re investing in roles that support growth, automation, data, customer retention, and execution speed.”
She said hiring is happening but remains highly selective, with companies prioritizing capability, flexibility and impact over titles or tenure.
