As economic uncertainties such as recession fears and inflation persist globally, business school graduates—particularly MBA holders—remain in strong demand. This is highlighted in the Graduate Management Admission Council’s 2025 Corporate Recruiters Survey, which reveals a significant shift: while traditional skills like problem-solving and strategic thinking remain vital, fluency in artificial intelligence (AI) tools has become the most sought-after competency for future hires.
Drawing from responses from more than 1,100 corporate recruiters and hiring managers across 46 countries, including nearly two-thirds from Fortune 500 companies, the survey provides a broad global perspective. It shows that employers increasingly value graduates who can not only understand but strategically apply AI in decision-making and innovation. This marks a shift towards ethical, transparent and impactful AI use, rather than basic technical knowledge.
Joy Jones, CEO of GMAC, said, “As AI becomes more integral in a company’s decision-making and strategy development, employers continue to turn to business school graduates for their versatility and strategic thinking, along with growing appreciation for their ability to innovate and navigate the challenges and opportunities of technological disruption.” Ethical considerations around AI are also gaining traction, with recruiters placing greater emphasis on responsible AI use.
Beyond AI, core business capabilities remain essential. Communication skills—particularly verbal communication and conflict resolution—continue to rank highly in hiring decisions, even as some pandemic-era abilities such as video conferencing have become less prominent. Familiarity with modern cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, as well as data visualisation and statistical analysis tools, complements the AI expertise now expected of graduates.
The report reflects strong confidence in business education. Almost all employers trust business schools to prepare graduates effectively, with nearly two-thirds considering business education more essential than ever amid rapid technological change. Christine Murray, associate dean at Georgetown McDonough, said, “Business school graduates—whether they earned their degrees in person or remotely—should feel empowered that their employability continues to outperform those without an advanced management degree.” The MBA hiring outlook remains robust, with 90% of employers intending to recruit MBA graduates in 2025. Many plan to prioritise MBA hires over bachelor-level or external candidates. Around three-quarters of employers expect to maintain or increase MBA hiring compared with the previous year, reflecting a steady rebound following pandemic-related volatility.
The survey also explores perceptions of Generation Z MBA graduates. While 61% of recruiters view Gen Z candidates as equally professional as previous cohorts, sectors such as consulting and healthcare remain cautious, citing concerns over client-facing skills, reliability and workplace etiquette. This suggests younger graduates, while strong in technical and analytical areas, may benefit from additional support in high-pressure, interpersonal roles.
The technology sector leads in embracing hybrid work models and shows greater acceptance of online or blended business degree programmes. More than half of tech employers value business skills in remote settings, and 57% place equal value on graduates regardless of whether their education was delivered fully in-person or partially online, reflecting shifting attitudes towards non-traditional learning. Supporting this, UK research highlights the growing urgency to align education with business needs, particularly in AI. A survey commissioned by the University of Exeter found that 85% of UK firms see skills gaps as a major risk and favour university partnerships to address AI talent shortages. However, many businesses report difficulties navigating such collaborations, underlining the need for practical, sector-specific training that matches market demands.
Together, these findings paint a positive picture: business schools remain vital in producing leaders ready to drive innovation responsibly. With AI literacy now a key requirement alongside traditional managerial skills, the future looks bright for MBA graduates—provided institutions continue to evolve their curricula to meet the demands of a rapidly changing business environment. Employers’ ongoing confidence signals a strong outlook for graduates who can combine strategic thinking, ethical AI use and effective communication in an increasingly complex global economy.
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