Predicting the market: Comms hiring in 2026

Friday’s jobs report was a gut-check at the end of a challenging year. Few jobs added, a softer hiring market, and a lot of communications job seekers wondering: what does 2026 actually look like for us?

In this episode of Cracking the Comms Code, Brooke Kruger (Founder, KC Partners), Jessica Bayer (Managing Partner, Corporate Affairs, DHR Global), and Michael Feuz (Economist, ITR Economics) break down what the data says, what recruiters are seeing, and what job seekers need to do to stand out in a crowded market.

What gets covered:

Why the jobs report is backward-looking, and what the forward outlook says about 2026
The market shift to “plug-and-play” hiring (less ramp-up, faster ROI expectations)
Why industry expertise is winning again (and how to pivot without starting over)
The truth about ghost jobs (and how to avoid wasting time)
AI in hiring: why it’s a multiplier, not a magic replacement, and what candidates must be able to explain
LinkedIn strategy that actually works (keywords, credibility, engagement, and avoiding AI “slop”)
Why consulting/fractional work can be a foot in the door (and how it changes employer perception)

For job hunters, hiring managers, and comms leaders focused on staying employable and valuable in 2026.

Host: Dustin Siggins, Founder/Owner, Proven Media Solutions
https://provenmediasolutions.net

Guests
Brooke Kruger, Founder, KC Partners
Jessica Bayer, Managing Partner, Corporate Affairs, DHR Global
Michael Feuz, Economist, ITR Economics

#communications #publicrelations #jobsearch #careerdevelopment #executivesearch #corporatecommunications #linkedinstrategy #personalbranding #aicomms #crisiscommunications #reputationmanagement #hiring #leadership #economy #2026planning