“For jobseekers, applying for work has become a part-time job. I think we’ll see the time it takes to get a job decrease significantly,” Webster said.
Rise of fast-track HR tech
The general manager added that a “single, portable application profile” that will fast-track applications across platforms is likely to emerge.
“It’s the same logic that powers the Common App in US universities, and the technology is catching up. As more employers adopt it, candidates will spend less time on repetitive admin and get more of their lives back,” he said.
“2026 will be the year hiring becomes simpler, faster, and fairer for everyone involved.”
Other predictions for 2026
In the same forecast, Webster also told employers to brace for major compliance changes amid a series of looming significant regulatory reforms.