One-third of Canadians eye new jobs in 2026, Robert Half reports
TORONTO, CANADA — A significant portion of the Canadian workforce is poised to seek new employment in the coming months, signaling a rebound in job market optimism.
Research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half reveals that 33% of employed professionals plan to look for a new role in the first half of 2026, a notable increase from 26% just six months prior.
Job perks, pay, and promotion prospects fuel 2026 job searches
The primary catalyst for increased job searches is a clear shift in what professionals value most. For only the second time in Robert Half’s tracking, better benefits and perks rank as the top motivator for exploring new roles.
This is closely followed by competitive pay at 31% and limited career advancement opportunities at 23%.
According to Koula Vasilopoulos, Senior Managing Director at Robert Half Canada, this movement marks a change from the caution of the previous year. Vasilopoulos writes that economic and global uncertainty led many professionals to delay job changes in 2025.
She notes that “workers are once again highlighting the value they place on perks and benefits like flexibility, competitive salaries, and career growth, and are feeling less inclined than they were this past year to remain with organizations that aren’t providing those essential elements.”
The results are guided by a survey conducted by an independent company in November and December 2025 among over 1,480 professionals in Canada.
Crowded job market creates longer, tougher searches
The situation is still rough for applicants, despite higher job-switching intentions. A separate survey conducted by Robert Half among 350 job applicants who were not hired revealed that 61% believed the search would last longer than the last one.
Their competitive environment is highly competitive and unfulfilling in terms of expectations, posing a major challenge to positioning.
The most common barriers identified are too many applications and job searches (62%), finding a career that meets their work preferences (41%), and a lack of opportunity to submit their qualifications (32%). The duration of the hiring process (31%) and skills-job mismatch (30%) complicate the search process.
The figures show that technology professionals (43%), Gen Z workers (41%), and working parents (39%) are the age groups most likely to begin a job search at the beginning of 2026.
As Vasilopoulos notes, “Keeping skills current and prominently featured in applications, networking effectively, and researching areas of demand to focus the search can all help with landing the right opportunity.”
This re-motility of the workforce, brought about by a revitalized focus on holistic remuneration and development, will put the labor market through a churn that will force employers to adapt in the face of a generation of professionals working in a highly competitive marketplace.
