Unlock the insights you need to land your dream job—or your next great hire—in 2026.

In this episode, Rocky sits down with Cassandra Benner, Branch Director at Robert Half, to break down the brand-new Robert Half Salary Guide and what it reveals about hiring trends, high-demand roles, and how both candidates and employers can stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

They dive into:

• The most in-demand roles across AI, data, and emerging tech

• Why job titles vary—and why job descriptions matter more

• Salary transparency and how it builds trust with candidates

• Certifications that move the needle (AWS, Azure & more)

• Soft skills companies can’t find enough of: adaptability, EQ, problem-solving

• How contract talent keeps projects on track and fills critical skill gaps

• What employers must offer beyond pay—flexibility, balance, and wellness

Download the Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide - https://rh.roberthalf.com/ujmS4

About Our Guest

Cassandra Benner is a Branch Director at Robert Half Technology, specializing in recruitment strategy, business development, and leading high-performing teams. She’s known for creating standout experiences for clients and candidates and building strong, lasting partnerships. Cassandra develops innovative hiring solutions tailored to each organization’s unique needs. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors with her dogs.

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HDI Local Chapters is an all volunteer not-for-profit that brings Technical Support professionals together to connect, share and discuss common challenges, and learn from industry innovators and each other --- https://www.hdilocalchapters.org

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Bytes and Banter Podcast Team  

Creative Producer/Host: Rocky McGuire - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockymcguire/

Executive Producer: Terri Oropeza - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toropeza/

Associate Producer: Colleen Rush - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-rush-3603241/

Associate Producer/Alternate Host:  

Technical Producer: Dustin Canter - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustincanter/

Podcast Operating System: https://www.PodTechs.com

Post-Production: https://www.PodTechs.com