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Recruitment marketing is evolving rapidly, and planning ahead for 2026 requires a strategic approach that balances efficiency, adaptability, and results. To help you get started, we’ve outlined five steps to create a robust recruitment strategy for the new year.
Step 1: Collect and Analyze Your Data
Data is the foundation of effective recruitment planning. Start by reviewing key metrics such as apply rates, cost-per-click, cost-per-application and cost-per-hire.
Leveraging your own historical data allows you to benchmark your recruitment funnel, evaluate trends, and inform smarter decisions. Next, see how you stack up with your competitors using tools such as the Appcast Benchmark Report or Labor Market Snapshots.
Step 2: Set, Define, and Prioritize Goals
With your data in hand, the next step is to clarify and prioritize your recruitment goals for the year ahead. Some ideas to help get you started could include:
Increased volume of candidates to help support hiring needs Better quality candidates for hard to fill roles Higher conversion rates to optimize your recruitment marketing budget Improved brand awareness to help engage passive candidates
Align your goals with your organizational priorities to ensure your recruitment strategy supports broader