CVKeskus.ee study: stress resilience and empathy boost salaries in Estonia

According to a CVKeskus.ee study, Estonian employers increasingly value personal qualities such as stress resilience and empathy in high-paying positions. In addition to professional expertise, candidates with a deep understanding of their field and relevant experience are sought after.

A recent study by Estonian job portal CVKeskus.ee shows that filling high-paying positions requires more than professional expertise alone — employers are paying increasingly close attention to candidates' personal qualities.

According to the survey results, among the most sought-after skills are stress resilience, empathy, and deep knowledge of one's field combined with long-term experience. These qualities distinguish highly remunerated positions from standard roles.

The trend reflects a broader shift in the job market, where interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence are becoming increasingly important. Employers have come to realise that professional knowledge is certainly necessary, but without appropriate personal qualities, an employee may not be effective.

Empathy is particularly valued in positions where employees interact with clients, patients, or team members. Stress resilience, in turn, is critical in leadership roles and fast-paced work environments, where decision-making under pressure is an everyday reality.