A study by recruitment agency Robert Half, speaking to 500 hiring managers, found 88% lost at least one candidate in the past year, with almost all (97%) anticipating recruitment obstacles in 2026 that could stall hiring efforts and impact business growth.
For EAs who coordinate interviews, manage candidate communications and work closely with HR on recruitment processes, understanding these market dynamics is crucial for supporting hiring decisions.
The biggest hiring barriers ahead
Employers are bracing for multiple challenges:
- Lack of skilled applicants (61%)
- Losing applicants to competing organisations (58%)
- Meeting candidates’ salary expectations (58%)
- Finding candidates who align with company culture (57%)
- Lack of applicants willing to work in the office (55%)
- Hiring quickly enough to reduce costs of vacant positions (54%)
- Being ghosted by candidates during recruitment (52%)
Why candidates are declining offers
Despite a more employer-friendly market in 2025, top talent continues to walk away. The most common reasons:
- Better offer received from another employer (32%)
- Salary or compensation not competitive (31%)
- Lack of flexibility or remote work options (29%)
- Role misalignment with skills or career goals (29%)
- Lengthy or impersonal recruitment process (22%)
- Unclear career progression opportunities (21%)
- Concerns about job security or company stability (21%)
- Disconnect between values and company culture (20%)
What this means for EAs
Nicole Gorton, director at Robert Half, says the high rate of declined offers highlights “a critical disconnect between what businesses are offering and what candidates expect.”
She continues: “Even in an employer-led market, top talent won’t hesitate to walk away for opportunities they see as a better fit.”
EAs managing recruitment processes should:
- Streamline communications: Lengthy, impersonal processes are costing candidates
- Prepare for counteroffers: Have backup candidates ready and move quickly with preferred choices
- Support competitive packages: Work with HR to benchmark salaries and benefits
- Highlight flexibility: Ensure remote work options and career progression are clearly communicated
- Manage expectations: Help executives understand that simply having an open role isn’t enough to secure top talent.
The data suggests successful hiring in 2026 will require EAs and HR teams to think beyond transactional offers and address the full value proposition presented to candidates.
Companies that adapt their recruitment approach, and the EAs who support them, will have a significant advantage in securing the best talent.