05-05-2026IMPACT COUNCIL

The best hire probably doesn’t live near you

Global talent pools offer solutions to local worker shortages.

[Photo: Getty Images]

The Fast Company Impact Council is an invitation-only membership community of top leaders and experts who pay dues for access to peer learning, thought leadership, and more.

Finding qualified talent locally is harder than it was a year ago, according to 60% of U.S. leaders who responded to Remote’s 2025 Global Workforce Report. More than 3,600 HR and business leaders around the world responded to the survey.

On the surface, it looks like a cooler hiring market because overall hiring in the U.S. has slowed. But that is not the full picture. When some industries are cutting roles, others are still competing for specialized talent. Companies are struggling to find the specific skills they need locally. At the same time, immigration pathways have tightened and AI is reshaping job requirements faster than many workers can reskill, adding to hiring challenges.

For a long time, American companies could rely on the size........

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