In a recent LinkedIn post, Hung Lee, CEO of Work Shape, offered a comprehensive overview of significant industry events and resources focused on talent acquisition for 2026. Lee shared a curated list of upcoming reports, webinars, and discussions, providing a roadmap for professionals looking to stay ahead in the evolving HR technology landscape.
Lee’s post emphasizes the importance of data-driven insights and strategic planning in the year ahead. He highlights several key areas, including hiring intelligence, benchmarks for common occupations, and the strategic implementation of AI in talent acquisition.
“Kicking off the year in what seems to becoming a new year tradition – reviewing hiring intelligence with our mates at Willo®! This is happening tomorrow with Euan C. 🌳 Tanya van Soest and Adam Gordon, who has yet to confirm his attendance. Join us, lets KO off the year by getting smarter on what the state of hiring looks like”
This quote, from the first item on Lee’s list, points to a collaborative approach to understanding the hiring landscape. The “Hiring Intelligence Report 2026” aims to provide a clear picture of the current state of recruitment, setting the stage for informed strategies.
Navigating Hiring Benchmarks and AI Integration
A significant portion of Lee’s shared resources focuses on the practical application of data and technology in recruitment. He calls attention to a detailed report from Joveo that examines hiring benchmarks for 16 common occupations across the US. This resource, as Lee notes, offers granular insights into the difficulty of filling specific roles in different locations.
“Massive report coming from our friends Joveo. 16 x most common occupations in the US – how hard is it to hire a Nurse Practitioner in Boston vs a Book Keeper in Oregon? Yazad Dalal Dalal and I going through line by line, with cameos from recruiters of those professions.”
Furthermore, Lee expresses particular interest in how emerging tools can unlock the potential of existing data. He highlights a live demo of Metaview Sourcing Agent, specifically its ability to leverage data within Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
The Role of Talent Strategy and RecOps
Beyond specific tools and reports, Hung Lee underscores the strategic imperative for Talent Acquisition (TA) to align with broader business objectives. He argues that TA often lacks a seat at the executive table due to a failure to develop talent strategies that support C-suite goals.
“If you ever wonder why TA ‘doesn’t have a seat at the table’ is because we have not been able to support the C-suite in developing a talent strategy to help them achieve business goals. Time for that to change!”
Lee also champions the growing importance of Recruitment Operations (RecOps) as a critical function for enabling AI adoption in TA. He states, “I have become a ‘RecOps’ truther – I don’t think AI in TA happens without the dedicated function looking at optimising and rebuilding workflows – recruiters with headcount targets aren’t going to do it!” This perspective suggests that operational excellence is a prerequisite for technological advancement in recruitment.
Exploring AI Frameworks and Unique Hiring Niches
The post also touches upon the application of AI in specialized hiring contexts, such as recruitment for the UK police force, and explores various AI usage frameworks for talent acquisition. Lee references a discussion inspired by a post from Soeren Winter, focusing on how to best integrate human and AI capabilities within TA processes.
Overall, Hung Lee’s LinkedIn post serves as a valuable digest for talent acquisition professionals, pointing them towards essential resources and strategic considerations for 2026. His curated list and commentary provide a clear view of the key trends shaping the future of hiring.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Hung Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on January 6, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →