Insights to Power Your 2026 Recruiting Strategy

From AI-generated application surges to shifts in DEI and visa policy, 2025 reshaped Early Career Recruiting in ways that few teams expected. Dr. Chelsea Schein distills a year of research into a clear, data-rich recap of what really changed and what it all means for your 2026 strategy.

Get ready for spring recruiting with exclusive access to a University Recruiting Council Lunch & Learn. Learn how to train your campus reps to show up confidently, deliver your value prop effectively, and elevate your brand presence on campus.

With AI, it’s faster than ever to apply, easier to game the system, and harder to identify top talent amid a surge of lookalike, AI-generated résumés and cover letters. Dr. Chelsea Schein shares Veris Insights’ latest research on what’s fueling the application avalanche, what it means for your pipeline and ROI, and early solutions teams are using to control volume and protect quality.

Headlines may suggest an employer’s market, but Early Career tech talent is still one of the hardest to land. This session unpacks how students are really evaluating employers, how AI and visa shifts are reshaping the pipeline, and what needs to change in your strategy to reduce reneges and win top tech talent.

With external hiring slowing, internal mobility has become a top priority for Heads of Talent Acquisition, with 69% increasing their focus this year. HP Inc.’s Martin Stier and Veris Insights’ Dr. Andrew Monroe and Aash Gupta unpack the realities of building effective mobility programs and how leaders think about skills and internal movement, so you can better align your Early Careers strategy with what TA cares about most.

University Recruiting programs are under growing pressure to prove ROI, making clear, data-driven communication of your decisions and results even more essential. Learn how to make the case for your 2026 strategy and equip your team to do the same as Recruiting Strategy Advisors Justin Woods and Hannah Bower break down practical ways to turn UR metrics into stories that resonate with senior leaders.