What 10,000+ candidates reveal about applying today

A joint webinar from Handshake, in partnership with the ISE.

Across early careers hiring, the challenge isn't attracting talent — it's converting it. Application volumes are rising, but more students are dropping off before they even apply, often due to unclear processes or overwhelming journeys.

At the same time, AI is making it easier to apply at scale, while making it harder to spot genuine interest and genuine potential.

In this session, we explored insights from over 10,000 students and heard directly from students themselves to uncover what's really driving application decisions in 2026, and how TA teams can adapt their strategies to attract, engage, and convert early talent more effectively.

What you’ll learn:

• Why nearly 70% of candidates are put off before applying, and the quick fixes that can improve conversion
• How AI is quietly inflating application volumes while making it harder to identify your best candidates
• What actually drives students to apply, and why salary, clarity, and role content matter more than employer brand spend
• Which engagement channels are genuinely moving candidates from browsing to applying in 2026
• How differences in confidence, salary expectations, and AI usage should shape your early careers strategy — straight from the source