Hong Kong hiring shifts to judgement as AI levels applications

Employers are putting greater weight on communication and practical skills as AI makes applications harder to distinguish.

Hong Kong employers are relying more heavily on interviews and professional judgement as artificial intelligence makes graduate applications increasingly polished and closely matched to job requirements.

AI can help candidates improve their CVs, but it does not guarantee they can defend their claims when questioned, said Richard Roper, President, Mercer Hong Kong and Macau.

“It’s very rare now we don’t see an application that’s perfectly matched with a job spec, but that really only gets the candidate to the interview,” he said.

Employers are therefore testing communication, critical thinking and influencing skills to identify candidates who can apply information rather than simply generate it. Roper said authenticity, adaptability and the ability to act on AI output have become key differentiators.

Grace Yeung, Senior Director, Exam Development of CFA Institute, said AI proficiency is increasingly treated as a baseline requirement. Employers want candidates who can assess its output critically, demonstrate practical experience and communicate with colleagues and clients.

“AI is just technology,” she said. “The important thing is actually how to analyse the judgement and also the result and put something of value to the investors.”

Interpersonal skills carry particular weight in finance, where trust, ethics and empathy remain central to decision-making.

Graduate confidence in Hong Kong remains supported by the city’s financial-sector opportunities, Yeung said. More than 90% of Hong Kong students studying overseas are considering returning, whilst 62% of graduates view professional certifications as more important for career progression than postgraduate degrees.

However, Roper warned that early-career roles have become more demanding as traditional training structures weaken. Employers must provide clearer development paths and help new hires move quickly into more sophisticated positions.

As AI narrows differences between written applications, hiring decisions will increasingly turn on whether candidates can interpret information, exercise judgement and influence others.