Canadian Employers Prioritize Personality Over Skills in Hiring — Express Employment International

Event summary

91% of Canadian hiring managers say personality matters as much as skills, with 84% saying it can outweigh a candidate’s skills gap.
71% of hiring managers and 65% of job seekers say personality is at least very important to thriving at a company.
85% of hiring managers can tell from the first conversation whether a candidate will succeed at their company.
98% of hiring managers believe a positive or approachable personality can directly accelerate career advancement.

The big picture

The survey highlights a strategic shift in Canadian hiring practices, where personality traits are increasingly seen as critical to overcoming skills gaps. This trend reflects broader industry movements towards cultural fit and long-term employee retention, particularly in tight labor markets. The findings suggest that employers are looking beyond technical skills to build teams that can navigate change and foster trust, potentially reshaping how job seekers prepare for interviews and how companies structure their hiring processes.

What we're watching

Hiring Trends: How the emphasis on personality will affect hiring practices and job seeker preparation in Canada.
Workplace Culture: Whether companies can effectively assess and integrate personality traits into their long-term success metrics.
Generational Differences: The pace at which generational perceptions of valued traits will align or diverge in the workplace.