Experience used to matter most
For years, experience was seen as the safest hiring signal.
If someone had already done the role successfully, the assumption was they could do it again. But roles are evolving faster than ever. AI, changing workflows, and shifting business priorities mean many jobs look completely different to how they did even a few years ago.
As a result, organisations are starting to focus less on where someone has worked — and more on whether they can adapt to where the role is going next.
Learning agility is becoming the differentiator
One of the strongest themes emerging across the market is the growing value of learning agility.
The ability to:
- learn quickly
- adapt to change
- and operate in unfamiliar environments
…is becoming more valuable than perfectly matched experience.
As highlighted in the Impact 2026 Market Report:
“People who learn fast will always outperform people who only know last year’s tech.”
In fast-moving industries, potential is increasingly outperforming predictability.
AI has changed the hiring process too
At the same time, AI has made applications more polished than ever.
CVs are sharper, language is more refined and everyone sounds impressive, which creates a new challenge; when everyone looks capable on paper, capability becomes harder to spot.
That’s why more hiring managers are shifting towards practical tasks, problem-solving exercises, and conversations that reveal how someone thinks; not just how well they write about themselves.
Human skills are becoming more valuable
Ironically, as technology becomes more embedded into work, human capability is becoming more important. Skills like:
- judgement
- communication
- creativity
- emotional intelligence
- adaptability
…are becoming the real differentiators.
Because while AI can accelerate output, it still can’t replace human insight.
The shift is already happening
Skills-based hiring doesn’t mean experience no longer matters, but experience alone is no longer enough. The organisations hiring most effectively right now are looking beyond linear career paths and focusing more deeply on capability, potential, and adaptability.
In a market changing this quickly, the best hires are the people who can grow with what the role becomes next.
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