For many years, the journey to a new job often began with a recruiter manually sifting through stacks of resumes. This human-centric approach was foundational to human resources departments, yet it was frequently inefficient and prone to both fatigue and unconscious biases.

A recruiter, after reviewing hundreds of applications, might inadvertently overlook a highly qualified candidate. They could also subconsciously favor individuals from prominent universities or well-known companies, leading to talented people from diverse backgrounds being unfairly missed.

Today, this traditional landscape is undergoing a transformation. The initial screening phase of hiring is increasingly being managed by artificial intelligence (AI). Some companies are now deploying sophisticated AI tools to act as a digital gatekeeper, capable of analyzing thousands of resumes in mere minutes. This AI technology is programmed to identify specific skills and experiences that align with a company’s requirements, fundamentally speeding up and enhancing the fairness of the recruitment process.

Crucially, AI software lacks the inherent biases of human screeners; it objectively assesses qualifications based solely on predefined criteria, ensuring a more level playing field for all applicants.

While human judgment still plays a vital role in the ultimate hiring decision, AI has emerged as the first filter. This technological integration is making the preliminary stages of the job hunt both smarter and considerably more efficient.

The increasing integration of AI into recruitment is also reshaping the qualities and competencies that companies seek in potential employees. As AI systems become more prevalent across industries, the ability to understand, interact with, and even develop AI solutions is quickly becoming a must-have skill.

This trend is particularly evident in the Philippines, according to the 2025 Hiring, Compensation & Benefits Report from Jobstreet by SEEK. The report indicated that a substantial 72 percent of businesses in the country now consider a candidate’s AI knowledge when hiring. More specifically, 36 percent of these businesses regard AI knowledge as a key factor, weighing it as heavily as other traditional qualifications.

To evaluate this emerging competency, companies are employing methods such as: Asking technical interview questions specifically related to AI concepts; Reviewing candidates' portfolios for relevant projects or work samples; Assessing knowledge based on a candidate's self-introduction during an interview.

Beyond the technological revolution in hiring, the Jobstreet by SEEK report also sheds light on a dynamic and increasingly competitive landscape for employee compensation and benefits.

The findings reveal that 78 percent of businesses in the Philippines provided salary increases in 2024, a decline from 89 percent in the previous year, with the majority falling within the one percent to 10 percent range. This indicates a general upward movement in pay scales as companies strive to maintain competitiveness.

Notably, small businesses have made significant strides, enhancing their benefits benchmarking and refining pay structures, thereby narrowing the historical gap with medium and large enterprises.

To bolster talent acquisition and retention efforts, companies are increasingly leveraging bonuses. The report found that nearly 80 percent of companies awarded bonuses in 2024, with performance bonuses being the most popular type.

The average bonus payout has also seen a substantial increase, now approximating 3.9 months’ salary, a considerable rise compared to 2.3 months in the previous year. This demonstrates a clear commitment by employers to incentivize their workforce financially.

Furthermore, employers are broadening their benefits packages beyond traditional offerings. The report highlights a growing inclusion of medical insurance, health checks, and mental health support as standard employee benefits.

In addition to these financial benefits, special leaves such as flexible, additional maternity, and birthday leave are becoming almost essential for attracting talent. The report also notes that family care, marriage, and compassionate leave are gaining popularity, showing businesses' intent to support their employees' family lives.