Dealing With Change in 2026

 

What we’re seeing across roles, teams, and expectations.

The Rules of Work Have Changed.

2026 is exposing who adapted and who didn’t.

What we see hiring across fashion, retail, and lifestyle right now:

Your Job Title Means Less Than Your Output

Roles are broader. Teams are leaner.
People are hired for impact, not comfort.
Specialists who can’t adapt are getting stuck.

Experience Alone Isn’t Enough Anymore

Hiring managers want:

  • Faster decision-making

  • Commercial thinking

  • Accountability without hand-holding

Seniority without results is being challenged.

Adaptability Is the New Job Security

The strongest candidates are not the most experienced.
They are the ones who learn fast, own outcomes, and stay relevant.

The Candidates Winning in 2026 Have This in Common

  • They think like operators

  • They take on learning

  • They communicate clearly and deliver consistently

Hiring Has Become Less Forgiving

Teams are smaller.
Margins matter more.
Every hire has to move the needle.
“Nice to have” roles are disappearing.

So Where Do You Sit Right Now?

Are you hiring for yesterday’s job or building for what the business actually needs next?

Stay social
Follow us on LinkedIn & Instagram: @whointhezoorecruitment
We’re seeing the market shift before it hits job ads. At Who in the Zoo, we sit between candidates and employers daily. Follow for real-time hiring insight in 2026.

 
Jahzel Christi LamigComment