How Much Will CVs Matter In Hiring Decision For Employers In 2026?
Career goals across Europe are evolving as 2026 begins. A survey by MyPerfectCV, based on 1,000 employed adults, highlights a shift in priorities towards income and daily work life over job titles.
Career goals across Europe are evolving as 2026 begins. A survey by MyPerfectCV, based on 1,000 employed adults, highlights a shift in priorities towards income and daily work life over job titles.
The primary career goals identified for 2026 are:
Earning more money: 53% of workers Reducing stress: 37% Achieving better work-life balance: 34% Learning new skills: 33% Starting a side hustle: 11% Changing careers: 10% Getting a promotion: 9% Starting a business: 7% No specific goals: 15%
These goals suggest that CVs should focus on supporting steady earnings and personal well-being.
The rate of job changes remains high in Europe entering 2026. According to MyPerfectCV, 67% of workers are somewhat likely to seek new employment this year. This includes 22% who are very likely, 25% likely, and 20% somewhat likely to move jobs. One-third of respondents do not anticipate a job change.
A survey by MyPerfectCV, based on 1,000 employed adults, highlights a shift in priorities towards income and daily work life over job titles.
The primary motivations for job changes include:
Bigger salary: 50% Better work-life balance: 38% More interesting work: 31% More flexibility (e.g., remote or hybrid work): 24% Career growth opportunities: 22% More challenging work: 17% Better commute or relocation: 16% Company culture and values: 9%
Skill development remains a significant theme for 2026, with 77% of workers planning to acquire new skills. MyPerfectCV highlights technology skills as a primary area of interest, attracting 37% of workers. Industry-specific knowledge and communication skills are also areas of focus.
Tech skills (e.g., AI or coding): 37% Industry-specific skills: 35% Communication and interpersonal skills: 28% Leadership and management: 22% Networking and personal branding: 14% No plans to develop new skills: 23%
A global study by Willo reveals a growing shift away from CV-first hiring practices. According to the Hiring Trends Report 2026, only 37% of employers view credentials and learning history as strong indicators of talent. Instead, 40% of employers are moving towards skills-based and scenario-driven assessments, with 10% having largely replaced CVs with these methods.
The report indicates that nearly half of employers have adjusted interview techniques to focus more on practical assessments, and 31% have integrated additional hiring stages to evaluate competencies.
Based on reporting by techround.co.uk.