GRID 2025 Talent Trends Report
In a shifting economy, recruiters are losing ground to job boards. Only 35% of candidates turn to recruitment agencies first for their job search, a decline from last year. Our new report uncovers why traditional methods are falling short and how AI can be a key solution to this problem, helping you regain momentum.
We found that winning in today’s economy comes down to a partnership between human expertise and AI efficiency. The future of recruiting is about using this combination to address three key challenges: solving the demand problem with digital and AI tools for faster service, improving the candidate experience to differentiate from job boards, and offering the kind of full-service support that keeps talent engaged.
And here’s a look at some of the data that backs it up:
- 77% of candidates have a positive AI experience, with 88% finding voice agents as good as or better than a human interview.
- Automated onboarding can raise candidate loyalty to 85%.
- 87% of contingent workers who get the hours they want would continue working with their recruitment firm
About the report
The annual GRID Talent Trends Report is based on data collected from a multiple-choice, online survey to more than 2,800 professionals who have worked with a recruiting firm in the last three years. Respondents work across a variety of industries and around the globe, including North America, the UK and Ireland, Benelux, DACH, and APAC. The survey was conducted in July 2025.