We’ve been having a lot of conversations with clients lately, and one theme keeps coming up…
Hiring is back but it looks different.
If you want to understand where the market is headed, watch how companies are hiring. In Q1, we’ve seen a noticeable shift toward direct hire in key, strategic roles but it’s not the whole story. It’s pointing to something bigger.
Waiting is not a strategy.
We said it at the end of last year and the market is proving it out.
The leaders who moved early are already seeing progress. The ones who paused are feeling how quickly things have shifted.
At Intuitive, we’ve seen a meaningful increase in hiring activity in Q1, particularly across direct hire and search. Teams that had initiatives sitting on the shelf in late 2025 are now moving forward with urgency, focused on bringing in the right talent to execute.
But what’s most interesting isn’t just that hiring is up.
It’s how companies are hiring and what that signals about what’s coming next.
Demand Is Back but It’s More Intentional
This isn’t a return to high-volume hiring.
What we’re seeing is more targeted investment in talent tied directly to business priorities like data and AI, digital experience, growth, and product.
We’re also seeing this play out across a few key areas. Healthcare and other regulated industries continue to invest in data and compliance-driven roles. In the mid-market, especially manufacturing and industrial, there’s a clear push toward system modernization and operational efficiency.
Why Direct Hire Is Leading Right Now
Across our client base, Q1 has leaned more heavily toward direct hire than contract.
To us, that reflects clarity.
Companies are getting more defined on:
• What they need long-term
• Where they want ownership internally
• Which roles are foundational to what’s next
And they’re making those commitments earlier.
Where Contract Fits In
Contract and fractional hiring haven’t gone anywhere. If anything, they’re becoming more important. Because once those core hires are in place, the next question becomes:
How do we actually execute on all of this?
Build the Foundation. Then Accelerate.
What we’re seeing, and expect to see more of as we move into Q2, is a more balanced approach:
• Direct hire to build the foundation
• Contract and fractional talent to accelerate execution
It’s not either or anymore. Teams are building intentionally and then surrounding those hires with the right expertise to move faster.
Looking Ahead
If Q1 was about clarity and commitment, Q2 will be about execution.
The shift we’re seeing doesn’t feel temporary. It reflects a more intentional way companies are building their teams.
We expect to see:
• Continued strength in direct hire for key roles
• More demand for contract and fractional talent
• A growing mix of both as teams look to move forward without overbuilding
Final Thought
If your team is feeling the pressure to move but wants to do it thoughtfully, you’re not alone. What we’re seeing is pretty simple:
Progress isn’t on pause. It’s just being built differently.
Susan Rylance, CGO, Intuitive
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