New year, new tech: How AI will shape hiring and careers in 2025

As we approach 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a buzzword – it is becoming a critical part of hiring processes and career development. AI is rapidly reshaping the hiring landscape, revolutionising how organisations identify, assess, and onboard talent, while also placing a spotlight on the indispensable value of soft skills in maintaining the human connection in hiring.

In Australia and New Zealand, where AI adoption leads the way, hiring managers face a new reality: leveraging technology to streamline processes while still valuing the human touch.

 Robert Walters’ recent research highlights a critical insight—soft skills are now more important than ever. A staggering 96% of professionals believe these are equally or more important than technical skills, and 92% of employers have turned candidates away due to a lack of them.

In this blog, we’ll explore how AI is transforming recruitment, how employers can adapt, and why focusing on soft skills is essential for attracting top talent in 2025 and beyond. 

The rise of AI-driven recruitment tools

AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s already improving recruitment processes across industries. From resume parsing to candidate assessments, tools like ChatGPT and other AI-powered technologies are streamlining hiring like never before, helping employers save time and make data-driven decisions.

How AI is streamlining recruitment

• AI resume screening: Quickly identifies candidates whose qualifications match your job descriptions. 

• Interview analytics: Provides insights into candidate behaviour and responses.

• Chatbots: Automate initial candidate interactions, improving efficiency and candidate experience.

While AI enhances technical assessment, identifying soft skills like adaptability and emotional intelligence remains a uniquely human aspect of recruitment.  

Key insight: Collaboration with AI is the future

Employers are now prioritising candidates who can collaborate effectively with AI. As Shay Peters, CEO of Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand, notes, “Clients are seeking candidates who can utilise AI and work alongside it effectively.”  

To stay competitive, hiring managers must look for candidates who are not only comfortable using AI but also skilled at integrating it into their roles. Collaboration with AI demands not just technical know-how but also strong adaptability and problem-solving skills, ensuring seamless integration of technology into workplace dynamics

Automation and its impact on careers

AI’s influence extends beyond recruitment—it’s also automating many repetitive and administrative tasks. While this improves efficiency, it also shifts the skill sets required for success in modern workplaces. Some jobs may become obsolete, but new opportunities will arise for those prepared to learn and upskill, particularly in areas like creative thinking and emotional intelligence, which remain irreplaceable by automation.

Industries most impacted by automation

• Finance and insurance: Automated processes for data analysis, risk assessments, and customer interactions. 

• Marketing and communications: AI tools generating and analysing content with speed and precision.

• Retail and logistics: Enhanced inventory management and automated customer service.

What employers can do

1. Upskill your workforce: Encourage employees to build competencies in data literacy, emotional intelligence, and other skills that complement AI and enhance decision-making. 
2. Invest in creativity and strategy: Focus on roles requiring problem-solving and innovative thinking, as these remain essential and AI-resistant.

Soft skills: The ultimate differentiator

In an era where AI can handle many technical tasks, soft skills have become the true differentiator for top talent. As Peters explains, “Soft skills will take centre stage in talent acquisition, as the human touch becomes the distinguishing factor.”

What to prioritise in 2025

• Effective communication: Essential for teamwork and leadership. 

• Problem-solving and adaptability: Critical for navigating change and challenges.

• Negotiation and emotional intelligence: Vital for client relations and internal collaboration.

As AI handles routine tasks, professionals with soft skills like empathy and negotiation will bridge the gap between technological efficiency and human engagement. Hiring managers who prioritise these qualities will build teams capable of thriving in an AI-driven world.

Download our soft skills e-guide for hiring managers to discover the top 12 essential soft skills, strategies for developing them within your team, and tips for identifying them during the hiring process. 

Gen Z: The next wave of AI-ready talent

Gen Z professionals bring a unique advantage to the workplace: their innate comfort with technology. These digital natives are adept at leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity and drive innovation, making them invaluable in an AI-centric workforce.

Attracting and retaining Gen Z talent

• Showcase your organisation’s use of cutting-edge tools and technologies. 

• Create opportunities for young professionals to experiment with AI in their roles.

• Provide training programs that blend technical upskilling with soft skills development.

By doing so, you’ll position your organisation as an employer of choice for this tech-savvy generation.

Balancing AI efficiency with the human touch

While AI offers numerous advantages, it’s critical to implement it thoughtfully. Research from UserTesting reveals that while consumers appreciate AI tools, many still prefer the guidance of human advisors—especially in sectors like insurance. Ethical concerns, including bias and transparency, can affect trust in both the hiring process and workplace dynamics.

How to ensure ethical AI use

• Conduct regular audits of AI tools to address potential biases. 

• Maintain human supervision in recruitment decisions to avoid over-reliance on automation and ensuring that soft skills like empathy and cultural understanding remain central to recruitment decisions.

• Balance technology with personal engagement, especially in customer-facing roles like insurance, where trust is key.

This approach builds credibility and keeps people at the center of your practice. Building a responsible AI strategy will not only enhance your organisation’s credibility but also ensure long-term success.

Thriving in an AI-enhanced workforce

As AI reshapes the hiring landscape, employers have a unique opportunity to innovate their processes while focusing on the human aspects of work. To succeed:

• Prioritise candidates who can collaborate effectively with AI.

• Build teams that combine technical proficiency with strong soft skills. 

• Implement AI ethically, ensuring fairness and trust at every step.

Ready to prepare your organisation for 2025 and beyond?

Explore more workplace insights and discover practical strategies for identifying and developing soft skills within your team.