🎯 2026 Jobs: New Year, New Market and a Smarter Plan
Hello Data & AI friends,
Have you noticed? There’s a wave of people being fired – and too many people out there are pretending it’s not happening. Reality is, many lost their jobs this year, maybe even in December. Or they graduated and still haven’t found a job. This post-holiday season is when people are wondering what in the world is going to happen. They’re looking at their Christmas costs… what the Christmas goose cost (or turkey, if you’re Irish like me)… and thinking:
“How do I even begin to move forward from here?”
When I meet someone in this situation, I always say, we should really talk. Because I know, they don’t want a “journey” like so many career gurus pitch. They want a conversation about realistic options, and they need a realistic, effective plan.
If this is you, you don’t wait until February. That’s a recipe for panic.
Instead, start now. Create a plan before the depression and the fear set in. To help, I’m opening up some new coaching spots in the next weeks just for candidates.
Why I’m Opening Up Coaching Spots in Q1
This is not the same job market we had even two years ago. AI is reshaping roles faster than titles can keep up. Cybersecurity and compliance are no longer optional, they’re urgent. Hiring budgets are tighter. Expectations are higher. And for candidates? The path forward feels messier, more uncertain. And these shifts are affecting more than AI and Data roles.
I’ve always helped friends, family and former candidates think through their next move. But this year, something shifted. The requests for advice doubled. Then tripled. People need clarity. So I’m opening up my coaching to a wider audience.
My reasoning: if I can offer coaching, I should. Not because I have all the answers, but because I have perspective. At Hibernian Recruitment, my clients are companies who need to hire hard-to-find specialists. I know what’s working right now in the job market, and how candidates at every level can move forward with more confidence, speed, and strategy.
Coaching That Meets You Where You Are
The coaching I offer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s designed around where you are right now and what you need next. Some people come to me right after a layoff, others when they feel stuck, misaligned, or quietly worried about being left behind by AI, data, or cyber shifts.
If you’ve received a severance package, this is often one of the smartest moments to invest in yourself. Work with a professional, not as a quick fix, but to think clearly about the next role you choose … because that decision will shape not just your next job, but the next several years of your working life. My coaching focuses on clarity, positioning, and momentum, so you move forward with intention rather than fear or panic.
What I Offer and Who It’s For
I coach with a focus on strategy, not fluff. It’s fast, clear, and grounded in what’s working right now. And it’s built for people in transition, whether that’s sudden, overdue, or intentionally chosen.
Here’s how I help:
- Post-Layoff Reset
- Career Pivots & Market Repositioning
- From Academia to Industry
- Rising Talent & First Moves
- Senior Leaders in AI, Cyber, and Data
Ready for Something Better?
If you’ve been circling the same questions, it’s time to get clarity. I can’t promise magic. But I can promise no fluff, no hype, and no shame. Just real conversations to help you make a real plan.
- DM me directly if you’re ready to talk, or drop me a note by email.
And if someone comes to mind – someone smart, burned out, or quietly stuck – pass this on.
Wishing you a Happy New Year, and the energy to make 2026 different!
– Ann
📩 To receive more Hiring Insights, subscribe to this newsletter here.
If you’re a candidate, sign up to the Hibernian job newsletter here or visit our homepage for our current jobs: 🔗 Hibernian Website
🎯 2026 Jobs: New Year, New Market and a Smarter Plan
Hello Data & AI friends,
Have you noticed? There’s a wave of people being fired – and too many people out there are pretending it’s not happening. Reality is, many lost their jobs this year, maybe even in December. Or they graduated and still haven’t found a job. This post-holiday season is when people are wondering what in the world is going to happen. They’re looking at their Christmas costs… what the Christmas goose cost (or turkey, if you’re Irish like me)… and thinking:
“How do I even begin to move forward from here?”
When I meet someone in this situation, I always say, we should really talk. Because I know, they don’t want a “journey” like so many career gurus pitch. They want a conversation about realistic options, and they need a realistic, effective plan.
If this is you, you don’t wait until February. That’s a recipe for panic.
Instead, start now. Create a plan before the depression and the fear set in. To help, I’m opening up some new coaching spots in the next weeks just for candidates.
Why I’m Opening Up Coaching Spots in Q1
This is not the same job market we had even two years ago. AI is reshaping roles faster than titles can keep up. Cybersecurity and compliance are no longer optional, they’re urgent. Hiring budgets are tighter. Expectations are higher. And for candidates? The path forward feels messier, more uncertain. And these shifts are affecting more than AI and Data roles.
I’ve always helped friends, family and former candidates think through their next move. But this year, something shifted. The requests for advice doubled. Then tripled. People need clarity. So I’m opening up my coaching to a wider audience.
My reasoning: if I can offer coaching, I should. Not because I have all the answers, but because I have perspective. At Hibernian Recruitment, my clients are companies who need to hire hard-to-find specialists. I know what’s working right now in the job market, and how candidates at every level can move forward with more confidence, speed, and strategy.
Coaching That Meets You Where You Are
The coaching I offer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s designed around where you are right now and what you need next. Some people come to me right after a layoff, others when they feel stuck, misaligned, or quietly worried about being left behind by AI, data, or cyber shifts.
If you’ve received a severance package, this is often one of the smartest moments to invest in yourself. Work with a professional, not as a quick fix, but to think clearly about the next role you choose … because that decision will shape not just your next job, but the next several years of your working life. My coaching focuses on clarity, positioning, and momentum, so you move forward with intention rather than fear or panic.
What I Offer and Who It’s For
I coach with a focus on strategy, not fluff. It’s fast, clear, and grounded in what’s working right now. And it’s built for people in transition, whether that’s sudden, overdue, or intentionally chosen.
Here’s how I help:
- Post-Layoff Reset
- Career Pivots & Market Repositioning
- From Academia to Industry
- Rising Talent & First Moves
- Senior Leaders in AI, Cyber, and Data
Ready for Something Better?
If you’ve been circling the same questions, it’s time to get clarity. I can’t promise magic. But I can promise no fluff, no hype, and no shame. Just real conversations to help you make a real plan.
- DM me directly if you’re ready to talk, or drop me a note by email.
And if someone comes to mind – someone smart, burned out, or quietly stuck – pass this on.
Wishing you a Happy New Year, and the energy to make 2026 different!
– Ann
📩 To receive more Hiring Insights, subscribe to this newsletter here.
If you’re a candidate, sign up to the Hibernian job newsletter here or visit our homepage for our current jobs: 🔗 Hibernian Website