Market Sentiment

The majority of surveyed financial services professionals say they would feel at least somewhat confident looking for a new role right now - and that confidence is earned rather than assumed - demand for specialized skills and a track record of delivering results are the primary drivers for those who feel positive about their prospects. For the minority who are less confident, concern centers on the availability of roles and the broader economic climate rather than doubts about their own ability. The takeaway for employers is that candidates know their value, and they are testing the market.

QUESTION 1

If you had to look for a new role in the next 12 months, how confident would you feel based on the current job market?

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Very confident

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Somewhat confident

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Somewhat unconfident

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Not at all confident

Among respondents who selected ‘very confident’, the vast majority said their primary reason for selecting this was due to demand for their skills and experience (59%), followed by their track record of delivering results (26%).
For those who selected ‘somewhat confident’, responses were more varied – 39% again said demand for their skills and experience, 19% said their track record of delivering results, and 15% each said the current economic climate or the availability of roles in their market.
For the 37% who said they were ‘somewhat unconfident’ or ‘not at all confident’, their reasons were identical – almost all said this was either due to the current economic climate (60%) or the availability of roles in their market (29%).
Respondents in the sales & trading sector were most likely to say they were very or somewhat confident about finding a new role in the current market (76%), while those working in financial technology were more likely to be somewhat or not at all confident (48%).

“It’s really encouraging to see that over 60% of respondents are confident about finding a new role - that reflects a real shift in positivity compared to where we were a couple of years ago. There is still a lot of geopolitical noise out there, but it’s important to separate that from the economic picture. The underlying fundamentals - compensation, hiring activity, deal flow - are in a great position.”

Ben Hodzic, Managing Director - Selby Jennings USA

AI’s Impact on Financial Services Hiring & Careers

The dominant attitude toward AI in financial services is a focus on application, with professionals thinking about how to use AI in their roles, rather than worrying about displacement. That said, the sector you work in matters. Respondents in roles where work is more data-driven showed higher levels of concern than those in client-facing positions, where relationships and judgment are harder to automate. For employers, this highlights that AI upskilling should focus on functions where change is fastest, although embedding AI now across the board will increase productivity, enhance decision-making, and improve talent retention - professionals are more likely to stay where they are supported to build relevant, future-focused skills.

QUESTION 2

How concerned are you that AI or automation could reduce the need for your role in the next 3 years?

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Very concerned

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Somewhat concerned

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Slightly concerned

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Not at all concerned

Employers: Should you use AI tools in your hiring process?

See the data

“When you’re interviewing for a role, you want to feel that there’s real buy-in from the company on the other side. Speaking to an AI interviewer doesn’t give you that. The strongest processes are the ones where candidates feel engaged, understood, and able to build a connection early, as this directly impacts whether candidates choose to move forward and ultimately accept.”