Rise in AI tests, psychometric screening slow C-suite hiring

The shift marks a departure from the aggressive expansion seen in previous years

- Devina Sengupta

In a bid to de-risk high-stakes appointments, hiring panels are increasingly looking outside their own industries.

(ISTOCKPHOTO)

The era of rapid-fire executive poaching is cooling, as corporate India enters a period of deep caution.

For senior and middle management, the path to a new corner office in 2026 will be defined by gruelling vetting processes, artificial intelligence (AI) litmus tests, and a ‘last-in, first-out’ anxiety that is keeping potential candidates from jumping ship.

The shift marks a departure from the aggressive expansion seen in previous years. Executive search firms said that the timeline to close a senior mandate now frequently exceeds six months, as boards prioritize operational resilience over headcount growth.