Michael Page Study: Indian Recruiters Face New AI ‘CV Blind Spot’

According to the Hiring Through the Hype: Talent Trends India 2026 report by recruitment firm Michael Page, capability is overtaking credentials in India’s shifting job market.

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Examining a survey pool of 3,552 Indian participants—part of a massive global study of 60,000 respondents across 170 countries—the data shows that 39% of hiring managers now prioritize skills over traditional educational history or linear career paths.

This change deeply impacts candidate behavior, with 77% of Indian professionals stating they are more likely to apply for job postings that explicitly highlight skills.

This outpaces the global average of 62%. Although 32% of Indian employers still prefer classic degrees and 42% weigh both equally, a staggering 99% of recruiters who have adopted skills-first hiring report clearer capability identification and better workforce alignment.

Michael Page Report: The Explosive Rise of GenAI Adoption

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Artificial intelligence has firmly transitioned from a workplace novelty into standard operational reality.

Generative AI adoption among Indian professionals has surged exponentially from 47% in 2024 to 64% in 2025, reaching an impressive 73% in 2026—making India a global leader in AI usage.

The technology has deeply embedded itself on both sides of the recruitment landscape.

Roughly 76% of job applicants routinely use AI to customize their resumes, while 78% of hiring managers employ it to craft job descriptions and communications.

However, this automation has created a key hiring blind spot: 19% of recruiters admit they cannot differentiate AI-generated applications from authentic ones.

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Consequently, the recruitment edge is shifting away from static CVs toward human-led assessments, structured tasks, and live scenario walkthroughs.

Read also: Deloitte Creates First Chief AI Officer Role Amid Global AI Race

Trust, Flexibility, and Onboarding Friction

Modern professionals are actively balancing ambitious career progression with work-life balance, ranking both equally at 87%.

However, workplace flexibility remains a sensitive dealbreaker; 61% of workers admit they would actively look for a new job if their current employer scales back remote or flexible arrangements.

Furthermore, 43% of employees fear that jumping to a new company will jeopardize their work-life balance.

Transparency around compensation and initial onboarding quality are also paramount.

One in three active job seekers originates from an organization with non-transparent salary structures, and a poor day-one onboarding experience prompts 45% of new hires to consider leaving instantly.

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