Annual Finance Careers and Hiring Insights Report

What Students and Institutions Are Telling Us

Discover the Annual Report

84%

of candidates admit to using AI tools when preparing applications or interview questions

63%

of candidates feel their abilities are best demonstrated during the scenario-based problem-solving stage of the recruitment process

45%

of students believe skills such as learning agility are overlooked in early-career assessments

43%

of students feel that the current recruitment process is 'not very accurate' at measuring their ability to perform in a job

95%

of employers identified in-person interviews and role-specific simulations as the strongest indicators of future performance.

55%

confidence score among financial institutions regarding current early-careers recruitment processes at predicting on-the-job performance

84%

of candidates admit to using AI tools when preparing applications or interview questions

63%

of candidates feel their abilities are best demonstrated during the scenario-based problem-solving stage of the recruitment process

45%

of students believe skills such as learning agility are overlooked in early-career assessments

43%

of students feel that the current recruitment process is 'not very accurate' at measuring their ability to perform in a job

95%

of employers identified in-person interviews and role-specific simulations as the strongest indicators of future performance.

55%

confidence score among financial institutions regarding current early-careers recruitment processes at predicting on-the-job performance

At Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, we are committed to preparing our students for successful finance careers. Since 2017, our partnership with AmplifyME has been a vital part of that approach.

Sean Thomey

Employer Engagement Executive for Finance Careers at Said Business School

AmplifyME’s simulations have become the cornerstone of our programme, bringing the industry to life in a way no traditional teaching can. They give our students a truly hands-on experience that we now couldn’t imagine delivering the MSc without.

Amaury Goguel

Head of MSc Financial Markets & Investment at SKEMA Business School

AmplifyME’s simulations now sit at the heart of our postgraduate and undergraduate finance programmes. Students consistently rate the experience as excellent, highlighting how much they enjoy and learn from the hands-on approach.

Dr Kavita Sirichand

Senior Lecturer in Financial Economics, Loughborough Business School

The results speak for themselves: exceptional student feedback and global recognition for our Finance Masters. Our MSc Accounting and Finance now ranks in the FT’s top programmes worldwide, including 2nd globally for salary increase.

Kostantinos Bozos

Professor of International Accounting & Finance at Leeds University

We began to integrate AmplifyME’s simulations into our postgraduate programmes back in 2013 and quickly saw improved academic performance, higher levels of motivation and engagement, and increased employability.

Doctor Kevin Campbell

Senior Lecturer in Finance & Accounting at the University of Stirling

The enthusiasm and engagement from the students were proof of the excitement generated by the simulation, making it a highlight of our course. A truly immersive learning experience.

Luca Taschini

Professor and Chair of Climate Change Finance

This type of experiential learning exercise was outstanding for our students. If you’re looking to go beyond theory and incorporate practice into finance exploration for your students, connect with their team!

Michael Joiner-Hill

Associate Director of Career Coaching & Education at Stanford University

The sessions were fantastic — you could hear the buzz in the room as students dived into the practical tasks. The competitive element really brings it to life, and the engagement speaks for itself.

Sophie Webb

MSc Internship and Projects Officer, University of Bath School of Management

What’s Inside the 2026 Report

A concise breakdown of the changing landscape of early-career recruitment from both students' and employers' perspectives.

Access now

The Rising Use of AI

AI is reshaping how students apply - 84% admit to using AI tools in applications or interview answers. That's making it harder to tell candidates apart during early application stages, adding real strain to hiring operations.

A decline in student confidence

Many students feel the process misses what matters most. 45% believe skills like learning agility go overlooked, leaving true potential harder to assess early on.

A shift in traditional screening tools

CVs and cover letters are losing credibility as true indicators of potential. Instead, 95% of employers feel behavioural, performance-led assessments better show how candidates actually work.

Recruitment processes are impersonal

Candidates are finding the process impersonal and exhausting. They're calling for more human-centred assessments, like technical interviews - 50% say these better reveal their true ability.

Inside the reality of early career recruitment:

OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS

We partner with world-leading financial institutions including:

insights from 750 students and graduates, and 60+ employers and industry perspectives.

What Students and Institutions Are Telling Us

What’s Inside the 2026 Report

The Rising Use of AI

A decline in student confidence

A shift in traditional screening tools

Recruitment processes are impersonal

awards

Recognised worldwide for innovation
in finance education and recruitment

Inside the reality of early career recruitment:

OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS

We partner with world-leading financial institutions including:

insights from 750 students and graduates, and 60+ employers and industry perspectives.

What Students and Institutions Are Telling Us

What’s Inside the 2026 Report

The Rising Use of AI

A decline in student confidence

A shift in traditional screening tools

Recruitment processes are impersonal

awards

Recognised worldwide for innovation in finance education and recruitment

Recognised worldwide for innovation
in finance education and recruitment