In recent years, China has undergone a remarkable transformation in the global talent landscape. Once the world’s largest exporter of international students, China is now rapidly becoming the leading country for talent returning home.
But with this surge in returnees comes a new challenge: the competition for jobs is growing fiercer than ever. Against this backdrop, a key question arises — are global business schools truly aligned with the expectations of Chinese employers, and are they preparing graduates to succeed in China’s evolving job market?
Drawing on insights from the 2025 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey Report, we take a closer look at what employers in Greater China value most in business talent today—and what they’ll be looking for in the next five years.
The present: where East and West meet (and differ)
From a global perspective, problem-solving skills sit firmly at the top of employer priorities, cited by 54 percent of recruiters worldwide. Employers in Greater China share this view, with 45 percent also identifying it as a must-have—making it a true “universal workplace currency” across regions and cultures.
That said, notable differences emerge beneath this consensus. Globally, employers place communication skills and strategic thinking (both at 51 percent) as their second-tier priorities. In contrast, employers in Greater China emphasize interpersonal and teamwork abilities (40 percent).
Why divergence? China’s rapid pace of digital transformation has reshaped how businesses operate. Companies are increasingly seeking talent who can drive cross-department collaboration, coordinate resources, and execute projects effectively, blending technical tools with commercial objectives to deliver impact.
The future: business skills in the age of technology
The survey also asked employers to look ahead, identifying the skills they believe will matter most in the coming years. The results reveal a global consensus: technology skills are moving to center stage.
When asked to choose their top three most important skills when making hiring decisions five years from now, global employers highlight:
One striking finding: demand for data analysis has risen sharply, climbing from 12 percent in 2024 to 18 percent in 2025—a six-point jump. Data literacy is quickly becoming a baseline requirement for success in the modern workplace.
In Greater China, however, the emphasis tilts toward a “tech plus practical problem-solving” approach. Local employers rank tech/IT skills and problem-solving equally as top priorities (both 25 percent), followed by AI application (19 percent) and data analysis & interpretation (18 percent).
This reflects a broader shift in China: companies are entering a phase where technology adoption and complex problem-solving go hand-in-hand. Employers aren’t just looking for candidates who understand AI or data tools— they want professionals who can apply them to real business challenges. The winning formula will be tech-savvy talent who can translate tools into actionable, industry-specific solutions.
Data insights: a skillset for both school and work
In November 2023, we introduced a new section to the GMAT exam that helps address the evolving demands of candidates and employers: Data Insights (DI). This forward-looking addition is designed to help candidates build a solid foundation in data literacy before even entering business school.
The benefits extend well beyond the classroom. By training students to interpret complex data sets, identify key patterns, and build logical connections, the DI section cultivates exactly the kind of data-driven mindset employers are asking for. Graduates who master these skills will be better prepared to uncover insights, solve problems, and create value when turning raw information into business impact.
In short, as the job market in China and more broadly in Asia becomes more competitive and technology-driven, business schools and employers alike are converging on one truth: the future belongs to those who can connect data, technology, and problem-solving to real-world business needs.
To learn more about the latest hiring trends, visit the Corporate Recruiters Survey resource hub.