In an age where the workplace is undergoing rapid change, driven in large part by evolutions in AI along with economic and geopolitical uncertainty, it's important to consider what all of this means for your career. 

Understanding the factors shaping the workplaces of today and tomorrow can help you plan for the future, which is key to longevity and success. 

That's why each year GMAC conducts in-depth research into the trends shaping the workplace, surveying top employers to find out changes in hiring, compensation, demand for skills, and their perceptions of business school graduates. 

The 2026 Corporate Recruiters Survey draws on insights from 621 hiring managers and corporate recruiters from 39 countries, the majority of whom are working at Fortune 500 companies. 

In this visual story, we dive into some of the key takeaways employers shared this year, providing valuable insights to help guide you in planning the next stages in your career. 

1. Employers seeking to hire more b-school grads

The majority of global recruiters at the top companies we surveyed indicated they planned to hire business school graduates in 2026.

With a range of study options available at business schools, demand varied between program types. However, a minimum of 60% of respondents said they planned to maintain or increase b-school hiring for all programs, with the Master of Marketing the only exception. 

In particular, recruiters revealed plans to increase hiring from MBA, data analytics, and business analytics cohorts. Alongside higher education graduates, experienced professionals already working in-industry were also growing in popularity.

The survey revealed strong employer demand for generalist professionals: MBA and Master in Management graduates had the most positive overall outlook, with the largest proportion of recruiters planning to maintain or increase hiring from these programs. Again the outlook was also favorable for direct-from-industry hires, as well as bachelor's graduates. 

2. Though, AI is replacing some entry-level jobs

The continued development and integration of AI within the workplace is, however, impacting job prospects across industries. 

Though it suggested AI would have an overall net-positive impact on jobs, in 2025 the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report predicted that 92 million roles would be displaced by 2030. Our survey shows that today, employers across many industries are planning to replace some entry-level jobs with AI. Across all industries, approximately 33% of recruiters said this was part of their plans.

An above-average share of employers in the technology and manufacturing sectors indicated they planned to replace roles with AI. Meanwhile employers in products and services, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and finance and accounting were less likely to have plans.  

3. Global shift in international student hiring

As government policies and visa changes continue to shape the global landscape for students, companies too are having to shift their approaches toward hiring international talent. 

In the US, where earlier this year our Prospective Students Survey revealed a significant drop in interest from international applicants amid ongoing uncertainty, hiring plans in 2026 have continued on a downward trend that can be seen as far back as 2022. This year, 11% of US employers surveyed said they had specific plans to hire international talent. This was significantly lower than all other regions, with Canada next on 33%.

The survey revealed international graduates are in strong demand elsewhere in the world, however. In Central and South Asia around two-thirds of employers planned to hire global talent, while a majority of those in Western Europe, East and Southeast Asia, and Latin America also had international hiring plans.  

Continuing the trend revealed in our Prospective Students Survey, the report highlighted the increasing favorability of Western Europe—both as an attractive destination for international applicants and a region where international talent is in demand among employers. Between 2025 and 2026, international hiring plans among employers in Western Europe rose from 64% to 81%. 
 

4. Earning potential and b-school ROI remain high

Asking respondents to share the salaries they expected to offer new MBA and master's hires, along with bachelor's and direct-from-industry recruits, the survey revealed that holders of business school degrees can expect to continue earning more than those without in 2026. 

Projected salaries showed MBA graduates were expected to out-earn all other new hires on average. Median salaries for MBAs were projected to be $120,000 in the US, $12,500 higher than direct-from-industry hires. Projected median salaries for business master's graduates in the US were also around $10,000 higher than for outgoing bachelor's students. 

However, the survey highlighted the impact that uncertainty and economic challenges in the US are having on starting salaries. Expected earnings fell across the board, with median salaries for MBA graduates down by $5,000 since 2025, and business master's down by $10,000. Salary changes at the bachelor's and direct-from-industry levels were less pronounced.

However, it's worth noting that as the year-on-year salary changes were not statistically significant, this placed them within the margin of error. 

5. Employers still prioritizing human skills

Perhaps the most important findings from this year's Corporate Recruiter Survey concern the skills employers are looking for, both in new hires of today and the future.

Recruiters highlighted significant and increasing demand for transferable, human-oriented skills—often referred to as 'soft' or 'smart' skills. Demand for communication, problem-solving, and adaptability outweighed all other areas, including data and technical capabilities, and increased by a range of 8% to 14% year-on-year. Also in-demand were strategic thinking and interpersonal and teamwork skills. 

Technical skills such as data analysis and interpretation and skills using AI tools also saw significant growth, outpacing all other areas and reflecting the importance of technological evolutions in the workplace.

However, employers' continued focus on human skills reveals that currently companies are prioritizing discerning employees capable of using AI and other technologies to support them in adding value and making decisions, while also able to communicate effectively and work well with others. 

6. AI and data capabilities vital for future careers

Looking further ahead, the significant year-on-year jump in demand for AI and data capabilities in 2026 reflects a trend that employers expect to continue over the coming five years. 
 
Asked to describe the skills they expect will grow in importance over the next half-decade, more than half (53%) of employers pinpointed skills in using AI tools. This made it more popular than all other areas, including strategic thinking (50%), technology and IT skills (49%), and decision-making (47%). 

The findings show how important it is for professionals today to maintain an understanding of the latest technologies and tools, with employers indicating this is essential to future-proofing careers.