Report: 72% of Philippine businesses make AI knowledge a hiring benchmark

Artificial intelligence has rapidly moved from buzzword to baseline in recruitment, with 72% of businesses in the Philippines now factoring AI knowledge into their hiring decisions, according to Jobstreet by SEEK’s Hiring, Compensation & Benefits Report 2025.

The survey of more than 2,000 hiring respondents across industries revealed that 36% consider AI knowledge as crucial when assessing candidates - placing it either as a primary qualification or on par with other skills. Employers primarily evaluate AI capability through technical questioning and portfolio review, while some have turned to AI-powered recruitment tools for automated screening and assessment.

“Through this signature report, we delved into the outlook of the hiring market, compensation and benefits provided by hirers, with a focus on AI and workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). We aim to guide our hirers and talent to stay ahead of these changes to better thrive in their business and careers,” said Dannah Majarocon, managing director of Jobstreet by SEEK in the Philippines.

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The findings reflect the acceleration of AI adoption in Southeast Asia’s labour market, with Philippine businesses demonstrating a strong appetite for both deploying AI in HR processes and demanding AI literacy from new hires.

Beyond AI, the report also highlights shifting dynamics in pay and benefits. Some 78% of businesses provided salary increases last year, with most falling within the 1-5% range. Small enterprises in particular have advanced in pay structuring and benchmarking, gradually closing the gap with larger firms.

Retention strategies have also leaned on bonuses, with 53% of companies awarding performance-based payouts. The average bonus size has risen to the equivalent of four months’ salary, up from the previous year. Employers are further broadening their benefits packages to include medical insurance, health checks, and mental health support - factors increasingly critical in talent attraction.

The report also points to the Philippines’ lead in workplace DEI. Previous findings from Jobstreet by SEEK showed that 63% of Filipino companies have already established DEI initiatives, ahead of regional peers.

Jobstreet by SEEK, Southeast Asia’s leading employment platform, connects talent and organisations across six Asian markets. As part of SEEK, an ASX-listed global group, it supports over 500 million annual visits in Asia through its Jobstreet and JobsDB brands.

Most recently, Jobstreet by SEEK launched its “We see you” campaign, sharing candid stories of Filipino workers navigating personal challenges while building careers. The initiative encourages companies to expand benefits beyond the traditional, including mental health support, counselling, and well-being programmes.

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