The big picture
The job market is going through a period of rapid change, driven by technology, the energy transition, demographic shifts and economic uncertainty. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, based on responses from more than a thousand large employers worldwide, estimates that by 2030 around 170 million new jobs will be created and around 92 million displaced, a net gain of 78 million. According to the same report, about 39% of the skills required today will change or become outdated by 2030.
For job seekers, that means having the right skills today isn't enough: you need to show you can learn new ones. Let's look at the trends that matter in 2026 and what they mean for your CV.
1. AI is entering almost every role
It's no longer just about people working in tech. Generative AI tools are used to write, analyse data, prepare presentations, answer customers, code and translate. Employers want people who can use them effectively and responsibly, checking the results.
What it means for your CV
- Say which AI tools you use and what for: "Use ChatGPT and Copilot to draft reports and analyse customer feedback, cutting preparation time by 30%".
- If you've taken courses on using AI in your field, add them to your certifications.
- Avoid vague phrases like "knowledge of artificial intelligence": recruiters want to understand the concrete use.
2. The most in-demand skills
According to the WEF report, the skills employers consider most important are:
- Analytical thinking: the most cited core skill.
- Resilience, flexibility and agility: the ability to adapt to changing contexts.
- Leadership and social influence.
- Creative thinking.
- Motivation and self-awareness.
- Curiosity and lifelong learning.
Among the fastest-growing skills are technological ones: AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy in general.
What it means for your CV
Soft skills should be proven with facts, not listed. "Analytical thinking" becomes: "Analysed 3 years of sales data and identified loss-making products, which were then removed from the catalogue". "Lifelong learning" becomes: "Completed 3 certified data analysis courses in 2025".
3. Skills-based hiring
More and more employers take a "skills-based" approach: instead of filtering by degree or years of experience, they assess concrete skills, often through practical tests, assessments or case studies. For many technical and digital roles, a degree is no longer a strict requirement.
What it means for your CV
- Give space to specific skills and evidence: projects, portfolio, certifications, results.
- If you don't have the "classic" qualification for a role, compensate with courses, projects and practical experience described in detail.
- Include verifiable links (portfolio, GitHub, online certificates).
4. Pay transparency
The EU Pay Transparency Directive (Directive 2023/970) had to be transposed by member states by 7 June 2026. Among the most relevant changes for job seekers:
- employers must give candidates the starting salary or pay range, in the job ad or before the interview;
- they cannot ask candidates about their pay in previous jobs;
- job ads and titles must be gender-neutral.
Exact timing and details depend on each country's implementing law. Outside the EU, several US states and other jurisdictions have introduced similar salary range and salary history rules.
What it means for you
There's no need to put your current salary on your CV. Research market pay for your role and location and be ready to discuss your expectations.
5. AI on the other side: hiring
Companies use automated tools to manage applications: applicant tracking systems (ATS), automated CV analysis, chatbots for first contact, online tests. The EU AI Act classifies AI systems used to select and evaluate candidates as "high-risk", requiring users to ensure transparency, human oversight and risk management, with obligations phased in gradually.
What it means for your CV
- Your CV must be readable by software: selectable text, standard section headings, no key information inside images.
- The job ad's keywords matter: if the skills you have are written in different terms, the recruiter might not find you.
- You're entitled to know when an automated system plays a significant role in the decision: don't hesitate to ask about the process.
6. Hybrid work settles, with less fully remote work
After the years of widespread remote work, many employers have brought people back to the office for a few days a week. The hybrid model remains very common in office jobs, while fully remote positions are more competitive because they attract candidates from across the country or abroad.
What it means for your CV
- If you have experience of remote work or distributed teams, say so: it's a skill (autonomy, written communication, collaboration tools).
- State your availability (on site, hybrid, remote, relocation) if relevant.
7. Growing sectors
In the most recent international reports, the fastest-growing roles include:
- big data, AI and machine learning specialists;
- cybersecurity experts and software developers;
- jobs linked to the energy transition: renewable energy engineers, installation technicians, environmental specialists;
- healthcare and care professions, driven by an ageing population;
- logistics and delivery roles;
- skilled trades and technical roles, which many employers struggle to fill.
In many European countries, employers have reported for years that they struggle to find skilled technicians, digital profiles and healthcare staff: these are areas where a well-crafted CV and a few relevant certifications can make a real difference.
8. Continuous learning and micro-credentials
With skills changing fast, short certified courses (so-called micro-credentials) are gaining value. The European Union has adopted a recommendation to make them comparable and recognisable across member states.
What it means for your CV
- Create a Certifications and courses section with the course name, provider and year.
- Favour recent, relevant courses; ten-year-old courses on discontinued software can go.
- If a course led to a project, mention it in your experience or projects.
How to update your CV for 2026
- Profile: add a digital skill or a concrete use of AI relevant to your role.
- Experience: rewrite duties as results and show adaptability (new tools, new processes, changes you handled).
- Skills: update tools and software, remove obsolete ones.
- Training: add recent, certified courses.
- Format: make sure your CV is readable by recruiting software.
- Online consistency: update LinkedIn with the same content.
On WizardsCV you can update your CV with modern, ATS-friendly templates and download the PDF for free, with no sign-up.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most in-demand skills in 2026?
Analytical thinking, adaptability, leadership, creativity and lifelong learning among transferable skills; AI and big data, cybersecurity and technological literacy among the fastest-growing ones, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025.
How do I put artificial intelligence on my CV?
By naming the tools you use and the tasks you use them for, ideally with a result: for example "use AI tools to analyse customer feedback, halving analysis time".
Should I state my current salary on my CV?
No. Under the EU pay transparency directive, employers cannot ask about your previous pay and must tell you the expected range for the role; similar rules exist in several other places.
Are online certifications worth anything?
Yes, if they're relevant to the role and issued by recognised providers. They're especially useful in skills-based hiring and for career changers.
