“What Matters Most?” Candidate Survey 2026/27

Discover “What Matters Most” To Candidates And Start Attracting & Retaining Top Talent

Three years into this survey, a clear pattern has emerged in Ireland’s financial services sector, and understanding what matters most to candidates is more important than ever for attracting and retaining top talent.

Did you know that 64% of financial services candidates are likely to consider changing jobs in the next year?

That figure has held at broadly similar levels for three years running, from 69% in 2024 and 67.5% in 2025. Salary remains the number one factor for the third year in a row, and 82% would not accept a role without hybrid working, or would need serious persuading to accept one. Beneath the headline, quiet disengagement has risen to its highest level in three years, belief that employers genuinely care about wellbeing has fallen, and AI adoption is moving faster than the support employers provide.

The What Matters Most 2026/27 Survey, our third annual edition, gathered insights from candidates across insurance, financial services and banking, life and pensions, asset management, compliance, legal, technology and related sectors. With 39% of respondents bringing more than 15 years’ experience, this is an experienced, senior market signalling real intent to move.

This report sets out what has changed and what has stood still across three years of data, with practical recommendations employers can act on to attract and retain top talent in a competitive market.

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