Job Flow Index
Recruitment Statistics - Mar 2026
Recruitment Overview
March delivered another really positive month for the recruitment market, with increases across almost every key area. Momentum continued to build across both permanent and temp/contract hiring, showing that activity is not only staying strong, but converting into real results.
That is especially encouraging given that 2025 was very much the year of temp and contract, so seeing growth across both sides of the market suggests confidence is becoming more widespread.
- Total placements increased 24% in March
- Temp/contract jobs created increased 24% and temp/contract placements increased 27%
- Permanent placements increased 11%, and permanent jobs created increased by 8%.
Where did the wins come from? Permanent Sales and Digital Marketing was a clear high performer, with placements up 70% in March and 31% YOY. Engineering, Manufacturing, FMCG & Warehousing temp and contract was another major bright spot, climbing 54% and highlighting continued strength in temp and contract hiring.
The only sector to buck the wider positive trend was Technology, which saw a slight dip against otherwise strong market performance. But overall, March was a really encouraging month.
Jobs and placements created
The total number of jobs created increased by 16% in March, and the total number of placements made increased by 24%.
Permanent
The number of permanent jobs created in March increased by 8% and total number of placements increased by 11%.
Temp & Contract
The number of temp & contract jobs created increased by 24% in March and is the highest month recorded since 2021! There was also a 27% increase in the number of temp & contract placements made.
Placements by sector
Professional Services
Permanent placements in the Professional Services sector increased by 20% in March.
Temp & contract placements in the Professional Services sector increased by 30% in March.
Finance & Accountancy
Permanent placements in the Finance and Accountancy increased by 11% in March.
Temporary & contract placements in this sector increased by 17% in March after a significant dip in February.
Construction, Trades & Labour
Permanent placements in the Construction, Trades & Labour sector increased by 21% in March.
Temporary & contract placements in the Construction, Trades & Labour sector increased by 26% in March.
Technology
Permanent placements in the Technology sector decreased by 5% in March.
Temporary & contract placements in the Technology sector decreased by 11% in March.
Engineering, Manufacturing, FMCG & Warehousing
Permanent placements in the Manufacturing, Engineering, FMCG & Warehousing sector increased by 5% in March.
Temporary & contract placements in this sector Increased by 54% in March.
Sales & Digital Marketing
Permanent placements in the Sales & Digital Marketing sector increased by 70% in March, the highest number recorded since August 2025 and up 31% from March 2025.
Temporary and contract placements in Sales & Digital Marketing decreased by 39% in March.
Job Adverts
This chart shows the number of new job adverts posted each month across all sectors and platforms. Multiple adverts can be posted per job, but this data indicates the volume of active adverts per month.
The number of job adverts posted increased by 9% in March.
Quality Applications Per Job
The number of quality applications per job stayed the same in March.
Application Source
The source of applications for your agency's job is a good indicator of the strength of your agency's brand presence and candidate loyalty.
In March 35% of applications were made by existing candidates.
Applications from re-engaged candidates
87% of applications from re-engaged candidates were generated by Job Alerts in March.
Candidate applications from web sources
52% of applications from web sources were generated by Job Boards in March.
Spec CVs Sent
The sending of speculative CVs (when there is no formal role available) can indicate market confidence and business development activity. There is a clear correlation between Spec CV activity and the number of jobs created in any given month.
There were 309% more spec CVs sent in March. This follows on from from a record 181% increase in February.
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