Irish professionals boost AI skills amid job market fears

IrishJobs has published survey findings showing that 35% of professionals in Ireland have taken steps to improve their AI skills this year, while 41% are concerned their role could be affected by AI.

The survey drew responses from more than 500 employers and nearly 1,000 professionals in Ireland, offering a snapshot of how workers and recruiters are responding to technological change, pay pressures and a more cautious hiring market.

Despite concerns about automation, confidence in long-term employability remains relatively strong. IrishJobs found that 86% of professionals believe their skills will remain relevant over the next three years, suggesting many see AI as a gradual force in the labour market rather than an immediate threat to their jobs.

The findings point to a workplace where AI is already shaping behaviour. More than one in three professionals said they had actively strengthened their AI skills, while employers are under pressure to help staff adapt as AI tools become more common across business functions.

Hiring friction

The research also highlights strain in the recruitment process. Nearly three-quarters of candidates, or 73%, said it has become harder to reach the interview stage, while 65% said they do not hear back from recruiters beyond an automated reply.

At the same time, 78% of candidates said job adverts now require more skills than before. For employers, skills matching remains the main hiring challenge, pointing to a gap between what companies say they need and what candidates believe is realistic or attainable.

That mismatch is emerging as a central issue in the market. Jobseekers face a more demanding screening process, while employers report difficulty finding applicants with the combination of skills they want.

Open to move

IrishJobs found that 81% of professionals are open to a new job offer, the highest level recorded in its data. However, only 17% described themselves as actively looking for a new role, down slightly from the previous reading cited in the survey.

The more notable shift was among passive candidates. The share of professionals who are not actively searching but would move for the right opportunity rose over the past six months, suggesting employers may need to work harder to appeal to workers who are cautious about changing jobs but still willing to listen.

That pattern reflects a market in which many employees remain employed and selective, rather than one defined by a surge in urgent job hunting. For recruiters, it increases the importance of presenting clear offers on pay, flexibility and progression earlier in the process.

Pay pressure

Salary was ranked as the leading factor for candidates considering a move, ahead of work-life balance, flexible working and job security. The proportion of candidates who identified salary as the most decisive factor rose by 7% as living costs increased.

Security is also playing a larger role in career decisions. More than 77% of candidates said job security matters more than career progression when weighing up potential roles, a sign that economic uncertainty is affecting how workers assess risk.

Employers are feeling that pressure in negotiations. Almost a quarter, or 23%, said they are struggling to meet rising salary expectations, making pay one of the main obstacles in the hiring process alongside skills shortages.

Christopher Paye, Country Director, The Stepstone Group Ireland, said: "Across Ireland, the hiring landscape is evolving at pace, shaped by a combination of economic and geopolitical volatility, accelerating technological change and shifting workforce expectations. Despite considerable uncertainty, the Irish economy continues to demonstrate its resilience and remains close to full capacity. Against this backdrop, our findings show that professionals are becoming more strategic in how they navigate the jobs market, balancing a desire for stability with heightened inflationary pressures.

"While more candidates than ever are open to new opportunities, there is a growing sense of uncertainty around the impact of AI and how this could affect future careers. Professionals in Ireland are responding by enhancing their AI skills and placing greater emphasis on adaptability in the workplace. Employers also have a vital role to play in investing in and upskilling their workforce so their people can adapt successfully to these shifts.

"The findings also spotlight a growing disconnect between employers and candidates across several key areas. Challenges around rising salary expectations, skills matching and increasingly complex job requirements are contributing to friction in the hiring process. To stay competitive, employers need to sharpen their approach by setting clear and realistic expectations from the outset and leading with transparency on pay, flexibility and career development. Those that invest in skills and support employees through the significant change ahead will be best placed to attract and retain high-calibre talent."

IrishJobs is part of The Stepstone Group and has 1.1 million registered career seekers and 694,000 active monthly users in Ireland.