86% of Hiring Decision-Makers Say Personality Can Outweigh Skills Gap, Survey Finds

HR Dive · United States · Sep 3, 2026

A new survey from Express Employment Professionals and The Harris Poll finds that 86% of U.S. hiring decision-makers believe the right personality can compensate for a candidate's skills gap — a signal with direct implications for how staffing and recruiting firms position candidates. The weekly roundup also highlights Ernst & Young's $100 million investment to reward employees who develop future-focused skills, and a one-time $10 million 401(k) contribution from Williams-Sonoma tied to tariff-related workload. Together, these data points reflect growing employer emphasis on adaptability and soft skills alongside technical competency.