Is Artificial Intelligence changing the way organisations think about hiring?
As AI tools become more common at work, many employers are rethinking what good performance looks like. Technical ability still matters, but it is no longer the whole story. In many roles, candidates now need to show that they can adapt, learn, collaborate and stay effective as work changes around them.
That is one of the main findings from our latest Hiring Intelligence Report that covers the first half of 2026.
The report compares assessment data from January to May 2022 (pre-generative AI) with the same period in 2026. This gives a clear view of how employer priorities have shifted since the rise of generative AI.
The results show that organisations are placing greater emphasis on the human traits that help people perform in pressured, changing and people-centred environments.
The traits employers are prioritising
One of the clearest trends in the report is the rise of Stres Management.
Stress Management was the most assessed trait in H1/2026. Resilient remains in the top three. Calm has also moved sharply up the rankings, rising from 18th in 2022 to 7th in 2026.
This tells us something important about modern hiring. Employers are looking for candidates who can remain effective when work becomes demanding.
AI may help automate tasks and speed up processes, but it can also create new pressure. Employees are being asked to learn new tools, adjust to new workflows, manage more information and keep up with changing expectations, which means the ability to stay composed is more important than ever.
Employers want people who can cope with pressure, recover from setbacks and remain steady when situations become difficult. These traits are becoming core workplace capabilities rather than optional extras.
Listening remains highly valuable
Another finding is that Listening remains one of the most assessed traits overall.
While AI can generate information quickly, it cannot replace the human ability to understand context, build trust and respond thoughtfully. In many situations, the quality of a conversation still depends on how well someone listens.
Listening matters in leadership, sales, customer service, HR, recruitment and team-based work. It helps people understand what others need, handle difficult conversations and make better decisions.
As more work becomes supported by technology, the moments that remain deeply human become even more important.
Adaptability is a baseline expectation
The data also shows that employers continue to assess for adaptability and change.
Adaptable remains in the top five, while Change remains in the top 10. Variety has made one of the biggest moves into the top 10, rising from 22nd in 2022 to 8th in 2026.
These movements suggest that employers are looking for candidates who can cope with broader, more fluid roles.
As AI changes tasks and workflows, job roles may become less fixed. Employees may need to move between priorities, use new systems, take on different responsibilities and work across teams more often. This makes adaptability essential.
However, the report also suggests that employers are looking for people who can remain effective while change is happening. That is why adaptability sits alongside traits such as Stress Management, Calm and Resilient.
The strongest candidates are not just flexible. They are steady, focused and able to keep performing as conditions change.
Learning orientation is gaining importance
One of the most interesting risers in the report is Self-development.
This trait has moved from 26th in 2022 to 9th in H1/2026. That is a major shift.
Self-development reflects a person’s motivation to improve, take on training and develop new skills. In the AI era, this has become increasingly important because skills are changing quickly.
Employers cannot only hire for what someone knows today. They need people who are willing and able to keep learning.
A candidate who is motivated to develop may be better prepared for long-term success than someone whose current skills are strong but static. This is especially true in roles where tools, processes and expectations are likely to keep changing.
AI is making learning orientation one of the most valuable traits in the workforce.
Drive still matters
Although the report shows a clear rise in traits linked to steadiness, adaptability and learning, employers still value motivation.
Striving has moved up the rankings and now sits in fourth position.
This trait reflects achievement focus and motivation to deliver clear outcomes. Its rise shows that employers are not simply looking for people who can cope. They want people who can keep moving, pursue goals and produce results.
The ideal candidate profile in 2026 is balanced. Employers want people who can stay calm under pressure, listen well, adapt to change, keep learning and remain focused on performance.
What this means for hiring teams
AI is changing the traits employers look for because it is changing the conditions people work in.
As roles become more complex, employers need better evidence about how candidates are likely to behave at work. A CV can show experience. An interview can show communication style. But neither can reliably measure how someone handles pressure, adapts to change or responds to development opportunities.
That is why structured assessment is becoming more important.
At Clevry, we help organisations measure the traits that matter for performance, potential and role fit. From Stress Management and Listening to Adaptability, Calm and Self-development, our psychometric test platform gives hiring teams clearer insight into how candidates are likely to perform in the real conditions of the role.
To explore the full findings, read our H1/2026 Hiring Intelligence Report here.
