Job search plans are on the rise as professionals seek better benefits, career growth opportunities and flexibility46% say AI-generated application materials have intensified competition and made it harder to stand out

MENLO PARK, Calif., June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half shows that professionals are reassessing their careers, and many are preparing to make a move in the second half of 2026. A survey of more than 2,000 U.S. professionals found that 46% plan to look for a new job in the next 6 months, up from 38% in the first half of 2026 and 27% one year ago.

Gen Z workers (55%), as well as those who work in healthcare (56%) and technology (49%), are the most likely to explore new opportunities.

What’s motivating workers to change jobs?
After several years of market uncertainty and cautious job search activity, professionals are increasingly motivated to pursue new opportunities for a few key reasons:

Better benefits and perks (47%)Career advancement opportunities (43%)Remote work options (39%)Higher salary (35%)Feeling burned out (26%)

“For the past few years, many workers have taken a cautious approach to career moves, often prioritizing stability amid economic and workplace uncertainty,” said Dawn Fay, operational president of Robert Half. “Today, we’re seeing growing confidence among professionals as they re-engage with the job market and actively pursue opportunities that offer greater career growth, flexibility and alignment with their long-term aspirations.”

How has AI complicated the job search?
While professionals are exploring new opportunities, many anticipate challenges ahead, particularly as AI continues to reshape the job search. Among those looking for a new role:

46% say AI-generated applications have intensified competition for open roles.40% are concerned about keeping their skills current as AI evolves.

“AI has fundamentally changed the job search,” Fay added. “It’s increasingly difficult to stand out as more candidates use AI-generated materials that can make applications appear polished—but sometimes less accurate or distinctive. It’s important for job seekers to have a plan and continue to evolve their skills to align with current workplace expectations.”

Robert Half’s latest Job Search Strategies Guide offers practical advice aligned with these insights, helping early career professionals apply this guidance as they enter today’s workforce.

FAQ:
Why are more professionals planning to look for a new job?
Workers are reassessing their long-term career goals, compensation, flexibility and growth opportunities. Professionals now appear more willing to explore new roles that better align with their priorities.

How has AI changed the job search process?
AI has made applying for jobs easier, but it has also increased competition and application volume. Hiring managers are reviewing more homogenous applications, making it increasingly important for candidates to demonstrate authentic technical skills, communication abilities and measurable experience.

What can job seekers do to stand out in today’s market?
Candidates should focus on clearly communicating measurable accomplishments, showcasing adaptability, and highlighting both technical and human skills. Tailoring resumes thoughtfully rather than relying on AI can also help candidates differentiate themselves.

Should professionals work with a recruiter during their job search?
Working with a specialized staffing firm can help candidates better understand hiring trends, identify opportunities that align with their skills and prepare more effectively for interviews. Recruiting experts can also provide insight into employer expectations, compensation trends and in-demand skills across industries.

About the Research
The research is gathered from a survey developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm in April 2026. The survey includes responses from more than 2,000 employed workers across the United States.

About Robert Half
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, healthcare support, and human resources.

Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune® Most Admired Companies™ and 100 Best Companies to Work For. Explore talent solutions, research and insights at roberthalf.com.

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SOURCE Robert Half

Job search plans are on the rise as professionals seek better benefits and growth51% say AI-generated application materials have intensified competition and made it harder to stand out

TORONTO, June 15, 2026 /CNW/ – New research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half shows that professionals are reassessing their careers, with many preparing to make a move in the second half of 2026. A survey of more than 1,500 Canadian professionals found that 44 per cent plan to look for a new job in the next six months, up from 33 per cent in the first half of 2026 and 26 per cent one year ago.

Millennial workers (53%), as well as HR (57%) and technology (53%) professionals, are the most likely to explore new opportunities.

What’s motivating workers to change jobs?
After several years of market uncertainty and cautious job search activity, professionals have become increasingly motivated to pursue new opportunities for these key reasons: 

Better benefits and perks (38%)Career advancement opportunities (38%)Feeling underpaid based on skillset (33%)More flexibility (33%)More remote work options (31%)

For those choosing to stay in their current roles, the top reason is not wanting to lose the level of flexibility their workplace provides (46%), highlighting the importance of a competitive total rewards package–including flexibility–in attracting and retaining top talent.

“Over the past few years, many professionals have taken a more cautious approach to career moves, often prioritizing stability amid economic and workplace uncertainty,” said Koula Vasilopoulos, senior managing director at Robert Half. “We’re seeing a growing sense of confidence with more people re-engaging in the job market and intentionally pursuing opportunities that offer meaningful career progression, flexibility and stronger alignment with their longer-term goals.”

How has AI complicated the job search?

While professionals are exploring new opportunities, many anticipate challenges ahead, particularly as AI continues to reshape the job search. Among those looking for a new role:

51 per cent say AI-generated applications have intensified competition for open roles46 per cent are concerned about keeping their skills current as AI evolves

“AI is reshaping the job search in real and immediate ways,” Vasilopoulos added. “While these tools can help candidates apply more easily, they can also make it harder to stand out as applications become more uniform and less reflective of an individual’s true experience. Job seekers need to be thoughtful in how they use AI, while continuing to build in-demand skills and clearly articulate the value they bring.”

FAQ:

Why are more professionals planning to look for a new job?

Workers are reassessing their long-term career goals, compensation, flexibility, and growth opportunities. Professionals appear more willing to explore new roles that better align with their priorities.

How has AI changed the job search process?

AI has made applying for jobs easier, but it has also increased competition and application volume. Hiring managers are reviewing more homogenous applications, making it increasingly important for candidates to demonstrate authentic technical skills, communication abilities, and measurable experience.

What can job seekers do to stand out in today’s market?

Candidates should focus on clearly communicating measurable accomplishments, showcasing adaptability, and highlighting both technical and human skills. Tailoring resumes thoughtfully rather than relying on AI can also help candidates differentiate themselves.

Should professionals work with a recruiter during their job search?

Working with a specialized staffing firm can help candidates better understand hiring trends, identify opportunities that align with their skills, and prepare more effectively for interviews. Recruiting experts can also provide insight into employer expectations, compensation trends and in-demand skills across industries.

About the Research
The research is gathered from a survey developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm in April 2026. The survey includes responses from more than 1,500 employed workers aged 18 and over across Canada.

About Robert Half
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support, and we also provide executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune® Most Admired Companies™. Explore comprehensive talent solutions, research and insights at RobertHalf.ca   

SOURCE Robert Half Canada Inc.

STOCKHOLM, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vaja AB, an emerging leader in next-generation solar tracking technologies, has raised €3.1 million in seed funding, bringing total capital to date from equity investment and grants to €6 million. The new round was led by The Footprint Firm, with participation from node.vc.

The funding will be used to accelerate Vaja’s market entry and product validation. Specifically, Vaja will use the funds to deliver the company’s solar tracking technology across numerous customer installations, advance Vaja’s core solar tracking innovations, and carefully scale the team.

Horizontal solar tracking went from niche to global standard within a decade, transforming the economics of solar at lower latitudes. Vaja is building the equivalent for the other half of the planet. VajaTrack™, the world’s first cost-efficient vertical single-axis tracking system, delivers 25-50% higher revenue versus fixed-mount installations across Europe, most of North America, and large parts of Asia by capturing both higher energy output and more valuable morning and evening electricity prices.

“Vaja is a pioneer for vertical solar tracking technology, a much-needed innovation that harnesses significantly more solar energy across more of the day and year for a significant part of the world,” said Henrik Eskilsson, Vaja’s CEO. “Over the next decade, we believe that vertical solar tracking can emerge as the dominant form of solar installation beyond 30° latitude, just as horizontal solar tracking has become the standard near the equator.”

At a time when European energy security and independence have become strategic imperatives, VajaTrack’s ability to increase solar yields substantially across northern latitudes has the potential to make domestic renewable generation more economically competitive, accelerating the transition away from imported energy and toward energy self-sufficiency.

“Solar is fundamental to a credible energy transition, and the companies that will define the next decade are the ones solving the parts that are still genuinely hard. Vaja is one of those companies. VajaTrack solar tracking technology unlocks substantially higher energy where conventional solutions have historically underperformed,” said Jakob Wichmann, Co-founder and Partner of The Footprint Firm. “With a founding team that combines deep structural engineering expertise with the commercial track record needed to bring a fundamentally new technology to market, this is exactly the kind of venture we want in our portfolio. We are proud to back Henrik, Anders, and the entire Vaja team as they scale the company and its technology.”

Due to strong demand, Vaja is opening additional installation slots for 2026 and is accepting reservations for agricultural installations and for pilot installations with professional developers of solar farms. Learn more here: VajaTrack – Vaja.  

About Vaja AB

Founded by serial entrepreneurs Henrik Eskilsson (previous CEO and co-founder of Tobii/Dynavox) and Anders Olsson (founder of Soldags), Vaja develops and supplies a novel solar tracking system that significantly increases both energy production and revenue. Vaja is backed by investments from The Footprint Firm, node.vc, and grants from the Swedish Energy Agency.

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SOURCE Vaja AB