Mid-career hiring implemented by 83.1% of companies, surpassing new graduate hiring. 26.9% plan to increase mid-career hires this year, expansion continues [Corporate Survey]

Gakujo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) conducted an internet survey targeting HR personnel of companies and organizations regarding the current status and plans for mid-career hiring. The survey found that 83.1% of companies are "currently conducting" mid-career hiring, representing the highest percentage since the survey began in 2023. In this year's recruitment activities, the proportion of companies where "mid-career hiring accounts for a larger share" rose to 41.8%, surpassing for the first time the 40.5% of companies where "new graduate hiring accounts for a larger share." For the number of mid-career hires this fiscal year, three out of four companies plan to hire the same number or more than the previous year, indicating a continued expansion trend.

**[TOPICS]**

(1) 83.1% of companies conduct mid-career hiring, a 6.0 percentage point increase from the previous year.

(2) "Mid-career hiring > New graduate hiring" at 41.8%, surpassing "Mid-career < New graduate" (40.5%) for the first time.

(3) 26.9% plan to "increase" mid-career hires this fiscal year, with the expansion trend continuing.

**[Background of the Survey]**

Against the backdrop of intensified competition for talent in mass new graduate hiring and labor shortages, an increasing number of companies are strengthening mid-career hiring (experienced hire). Five years have passed since companies with 301 or more employees were obligated to disclose their mid-career hiring ratio. This survey investigated the current status and plans for mid-career hiring this fiscal year.

(1) 83.1% of companies conduct mid-career hiring, a 6.0 percentage point increase from the previous year.

Regarding the status of mid-career hiring, 83.1% of respondents answered that they are "currently conducting" it, accounting for the majority. This is a 6.0 percentage point increase from 77.1% in the same period last year and the highest percentage since the survey began in 2023.
Companies that were not currently conducting but had done so "within 3 months" or "within 1 year" totaled 7.1%. Similarly, companies planning to do so "within 3 months" or "within 1 year" totaled 3.1%. Only 6.8% reported "not conducting and no plans to conduct."

(2) "Mid-career hiring > New graduate hiring" at 41.8%, surpassing "Mid-career < New graduate" for the first time.

For the proportion of mid-career hiring and new graduate hiring in 2026 fiscal year recruitment activities, "5:5" was the most common at 17.5%. Companies that answered "mid-career hiring accounts for a larger share than new graduate hiring" totaled 41.8%, surpassing the 40.5% of companies that answered "new graduate hiring accounts for a larger share than mid-career hiring." This is the first time since the survey began in 2023 that "mid-career hiring accounts for a larger share" has become the majority, indicating the widespread adoption of mid-career hiring.

(3) 26.9% plan to "increase" mid-career hires this fiscal year, with the expansion trend continuing.

Regarding the number of mid-career hires for the 2026 fiscal year, "no particular change from the previous year" accounted for almost half at 49.1%, followed by "plan to increase from the previous year" at 26.9%. Combined, three out of four companies plan to hire the same number or more than the previous year. Although the "plan to increase" figure is lower than the same period last year (32.8%), "plan to decrease from the previous year" remained at only 6.2%, indicating that mid-career hiring is on an upward trend.

**■ Survey Overview**

・Survey period: March 16, 2026 - April 10, 2026

・Survey organization: Gakujo Co., Ltd.

・Target audience: HR personnel of companies and organizations

・Valid responses: 295

・Survey method: Web-based questionnaire

*Figures for each item are rounded to one decimal place by rounding off the second decimal place, so the total for multiple-choice answers may not be 100.0%.

**■ About Gakujo Co., Ltd.**

Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market and a member of Keidanren. Since 2004, Gakujo has advocated "year-round hiring for those in their 20s." It is a major job and career information company that comprehensively supports the hiring of individuals in their 20s and 30s, centered on "Re-Shukatsu" (No. 1 job change site for those in their 20s for 7 consecutive years, chosen by those in their 20s, 2019-2025 Tokyo Shoko Research survey) with 2.8 million members, "Re-Shukatsu 30" for those in their 30s, and "Re-Shukatsu Campus" a scout-type job hunting site with 600,000 members.

Furthermore, Gakujo was the first in Japan to hold a "Joint Company Seminar" (according to its own research) and offers various services related to recruiting young talent, such as "Tenshoku Haku" (Job Change Expo) and "Shushoku Haku" (Job Hunting Expo).

[Founded / 1976 Capital / 1.5 billion yen Member organizations / Japan Business Federation, National Association of Job Information Organizations, Japan Association of Employment Agencies, Japan Employment Information Publishing Council, Forest Culture Association]

https://company.gakujo.ne.jp