Temporary hiring emerges as a growth engine amid mixed permanent placement trends
Bullhorn’s latest hiring outlook points to a market sending two very different signals as we head into the close of the year. Temporary staffing continues to build real, sustainable momentum, while permanent hiring is starting to show signs of softening, with both job orders and submissions just behind last year’s numbers. For staffing leaders planning for Q1 and beyond, these shifts matter — and they’re creating a clear strategic opening for firms that can pivot quickly.
Temporary recruitment shows positive, sustainable growth
Even with the typical November dip, temporary job orders are still trending slightly above the same period in 2024. That alone is a positive signal, but the real story is the continued strength in the temp fill rate, which has been climbing for the past 18 months.
Jobs are filling faster and with less recruiter effort, as found in the latest Bullhorn hiring outlook, suggesting that both clients and candidates are leaning into temporary work as a lower-risk way to keep teams moving. In a market defined by long decision cycles and cautious hiring behavior, temporary staffing is proving to show near-term growth.
Temporary staffing is becoming a high-confidence opportunity for firms looking to protect revenue and create momentum going into 2026. Now is the moment to shift more attention, campaigns, or recruiter capacity toward high-demand temp segments.
Permanent placement shows mixed signals
Permanent hiring, meanwhile, is following a different path. Job orders remain seasonally aligned but have slipped slightly behind last year’s volume. The more concerning data point is the sharp decline in the permanent fill rate — down more than 10 points from last month and roughly three points below where it was this time last year.
These shifts suggest that employers may be slowing on long-term hiring, mirroring what many staffing firms are seeing in sales cycles: more hesitancy, more approvals needed, and longer decision timelines. On the candidate side, fewer people are willing to make moves in an uncertain environment.
With permanent placement slowing, this is the moment to tighten pipeline visibility, recalibrate client expectations, and double down on passive talent engagement. Firms may also want to reinforce permanent teams with stronger sourcing tools or automation to ensure they’re not losing speed as the market cools.
The market is splitting: What staffing leaders should do now
The data shows a clear divergence, and staffing leaders who adapt quickly will pull ahead.
1. Lean into the temp momentum
Direct a greater share of sales and recruiting resources toward temporary opportunities. With temp performance outpacing last year and fill rates rising, this is a logical place to drive early 2026 growth.
2. Treat permanent placement data as an early indicator
Watch fill-rate trends closely; they’re often the first sign of shifting employer confidence. If key industries continue to soften, adjust expectations, goals, and resource allocation accordingly.
3. Reinforce operational efficiency
Streamlined processes, automation, and targeted tech investments can help teams capture more revenue from the activity already in motion.
Using Bullhorn data to guide strategy
The takeaway from this month’s hiring outlook is clear: temporary staffing is on an upward trajectory, while permanent placement needs closer attention. For staffing leaders navigating an uncertain and often unpredictable hiring landscape, these insights can shape smarter planning, more realistic forecasting, and more confident decision-making.
With Bullhorn’s near real-time labor market data, firms can spot turning points early, understand where clients are shifting their hiring strategies, and position their teams for success — no matter how the next few quarters unfold.
