At KMA, we know that great organizations are built on great people. Whether you’re already partnering with us or exploring ways to strengthen your team, our mission is the same: to help you develop a people strategy that drives success and positions your organization to thrive in a competitive market.
Our 2026 Recruiting Roadmap
With 2026 bringing new challenges and opportunities in talent acquisition – like AI technology and skills-based hiring approaches – KMA is more committed than ever to delivering an exceptional, human first candidate experience that contributes positively to our clients’ employer brand.
KMA’s Approach to AI
KMA leverages AI-powered tools in our recruiting process to improve productivity without sacrificing the human touch. These efficiencies enable us to spend more time connecting and engaging with high quality, well-qualified candidates. Our Recruiters remain central to decision-making throughout the process, using automation for targeting searches, messaging and handling repetitive tasks, so that we can focus on relationship building and promoting our open jobs.
KMA’s Approach to Skills-Based Hiring
While skills-based hiring is a rising trend in talent acquisition, it’s not a one-size-fits-all strategy. At KMA, we incorporate elements of this approach when it aligns with client needs. When appropriate, we can build competency-focused practices into our search and screening process by:
- Reviewing job profiles to highlight technical skills, certifications, and demonstrated experience alongside traditional credentials.
- Using practical skill evaluations or portfolio reviews when they add value to assessing candidate capabilities.
Key Compensation Trends
Looking toward 2026, we’re sharing key takeaways from our latest Salary Increase Trend Report, drawn from our annual survey:
- Merit increases are trending back toward pre-pandemic averages: 3.3%
- COLA adjustments are aligning with CPI-U: 2.9%
- Employers continue to navigate:
- Inflation pressures
- Retention challenges
- Market uncertainty
- Strategic compensation adjustments
These trends underscore the importance of a proactive approach to recruiting and retention. Access the full report here.
Positive Candidate Experience and the Employer Brand
Creating a positive candidate experience isn’t just good practice, it’s a powerful way to strengthen your employer brand. When candidates feel respected and informed, they’re more likely to reapply in the future and recommend your organization to other job seekers. At KMA, we focus on delivering that experience by:
- Streamlining the hiring process to reduce time-to-hire, with clear timelines and proactive updates.
- Maintaining transparent, consistent communication so candidates feel valued and know what to expect at every stage of the recruiting process.
Meet the People Behind the Placements
Meet the powerhouse behind our talent success! Our incredible recruiting team – led by Senior Manager of Recruiting Consulting Chelsea Livingston – works conscientiously to connect organizations with top-tier talent. From strategic hiring to seamless onboarding, they ensure our clients find the right people for the right roles – every time.
Ready to strengthen your people strategy?
Our recruiting consultants partner with clients to:
- Source and place top candidates across industries and roles
- Develop competitive compensation and retention strategies
- Align hiring with long-term organizational goals
From executive leadership to specialized technical positions to high volume recruiting, we’ve helped clients secure talent that drives their innovation and growth. Every placement is a step toward building resilient, future-ready teams. Learn more about our process here.
Reach out to the experts at KMA to get started on your next great hire!