Nicholas Kirk, Chief Executive Officer of PageGroup, stated that the world of work continues to evolve rapidly amid uncertain markets and rising expectations, with technology fundamentally transforming how employers and candidates connect. He noted that hiring has become more complex and competitive, but also presents clear opportunities where skills, clarity, and judgement take precedence over traditional credentials.
The report finds that 39 percent of hiring managers are prioritising skills over educational qualifications or career history, signalling a shift toward skills-first recruitment, although adoption remains uneven. At the same time, 77 percent of candidates are more likely to apply for roles where job descriptions emphasise skills. However, 32 percent of Indian employers still prefer formal degrees or linear career paths, while 42 percent consider both skills and academic background equally.
Skill shortages continue to be the most significant recruitment challenge. Among organisations that have adopted skills-based hiring, 99 percent report clear benefits, including improved capability identification (49 percent) and better alignment with current and future organisational needs (48 percent). Reflecting this momentum, 39 percent of hiring managers plan to transition toward skills-first hiring models.
Artificial intelligence has moved from experimentation to mainstream adoption across the hiring ecosystem. The report shows that global GenAI usage among professionals has increased significantly, with 64 percent now using it at work, while India leads with 73 percent adoption in 2026. Earlier figures indicate growth from 47 percent in 2024 to 64 percent in 2025, reflecting rapid integration into workplace processes.
AI is also deeply embedded in recruitment workflows. Around 76 percent of job applicants use AI tools to tailor their applications, while 78 percent of hiring managers use AI to draft job descriptions and candidate communications. Despite this, a perception gap remains, as 81 percent of hiring managers believe they can identify AI-generated applications, while 19 percent acknowledge they cannot. As AI-generated content becomes more common, differentiation increasingly depends on judgement, lived experience, and human interaction.
Professionals’ workplace priorities continue to shift toward trust, transparency, and flexibility. Work-life balance and job satisfaction are jointly rated as the most important factors at 87 percent each, followed closely by salary and career success at 85 percent each. However, 43 percent of professionals fear that changing jobs may compromise their work-life balance, a concern that outweighs considerations of pay, job security, or career progression.
The report also highlights that 61 percent of professionals would begin actively seeking new roles if flexibility is reduced in their current jobs. Pay transparency remains a critical factor, with around one in three active job seekers working in organisations without transparent salary structures. Globally, 50 percent of employers who adopt transparent pay practices report easier hiring outcomes. Additionally, 45 percent of new employees consider leaving on their first day due to poor onboarding experiences.
Nicholas Kirk further emphasised that 77 percent of Indian candidates are more likely to apply for jobs where skills are prioritised over credentials, compared to 62 percent globally. He described this shift as a structural evolution in how talent and opportunity connect, particularly in uncertain economic conditions.
Nilay Khandelwal, Senior Managing Director for India and Singapore at Michael Page, noted that hiring has become more complex, competitive, and human-centric than ever. He added that organisations are increasingly adopting contract and agile workforce models, especially multinational companies, to maintain flexibility, respond to rapid change, and access specialised skills when required.
The report concludes that the future of hiring is not a contest between humans and technology but a system where artificial intelligence enhances efficiency while human judgement drives decisions. Organisations that combine skills-based hiring, transparency, and human-led evaluation are positioned to attract and retain the most capable talent in an increasingly competitive global market.
Methodology for the report is based on an online survey conducted by PageGroup, capturing responses from 60,000 professionals across more than 170 countries. The India-specific sample included 3,552 participants
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