2026 Corporate Recruiters Survey Report

Overview

Fielded in January to May of 2026 and based on responses from more than 620 corporate recruiters and hiring managers at staffing firms around the world, the Corporate Recruiters Survey 2026 Report examines the latest data about skill demand, hiring, compensation, and perceptions of MBA and business master’s graduates. In addition, it highlights why employers remain confident in graduate management education (GME) before evaluating how their confidence translates to real and projected hiring and compensation trends.

Quick Facts

• Skill demand in the AI era: Technology, AI, and data analysis skills grew the most in importance compared to last year as communication skills and adaptability surged to top spots.
• Employer confidence in GME: One hundred percent of employers express confidence in GME; however, there was a meaningful decline in the share of employers who think today’s GME graduates are as professional as they were in previous years.
• Hiring and compensation trends: Compared to five years ago, employers in Western Europe and East and Southeast Asia are more likely to hire talent who require additional legal documentation. U.S. employers have grown less likely to sponsor international hires in recent years, though one-third of U.S. employers planned to hire international talent to their offices abroad in 2026.