You may have heard about skills-based hiring, but what is it, and how does it help your business? That’s what we’re here to talk about, so you can get the top talent needed to help run your company.
What is Skills-Based Hiring?
Skills-based hiring is something that has been trending for a while now. In fact, according to Business Insider,
Several companies including JPMorgan, Accenture, and Verizon have already launched million and billion dollar programs to help Americans upskill.
What it does is allow your current employees to learn new skills – or “upskill.” It allows companies to screen their current employees to find those who can excel in new areas, instead of looking for new workers.
It also focuses on the work an employee has performed, rather than who they know or their credentials.
For example, a business focuses only on a potential hire’s credentials or experience in college. This weeds out those who may have the knowledge and skills needed, but due to their lack of experience or college courses, they’re left behind.
How Does it Help Your Company?
There are a number of variables to consider. Two of the main components are that you do not use credentials alone, some that may not even be relevant. And the other is to create a workplace more diverse in nature.
There are other things to consider as well.
Onboarding and Training
When matching a skillset with employees you are considering, it makes it easier to train them as well as the onboarding process. They already have basic knowledge and can grow and thrive.
Growing the Candidate Pool
Just because a person doesn’t have a college degree doesn’t mean they are not qualified or trainable. By using that mindset, you end up minimizing your talent pool.
Not Overlooking Qualified Talent
Many potential hires have the experience within the company to move ahead. Yet, they are often disqualified simply because they do not hold a specific degree, they are overlooked.
Employee Engagement and Retention
If an employee knows they have the ability to grow within the company, this creates better retention. Let’s face it, if an employee works hard but realizes that they’ll never move ahead without certain degrees, etc., then they are not as likely to stick around. Why should they? They can move to another company that does use skills-based hiring practices.
Objective Screenings
Many companies don’t realize that they have a hidden bias towards those without a college education. They may not even mean to feel that way, but it is a fact that it happens. With skills-based hiring, those biases are irrelevant. Instead, the focus is on what the potential hire can do, not their background.
How Do You Implement Skills-Based Hiring?
There are a few ways to utilize skills-based hiring.
- Prioritize skills training
- Choose those who demonstrate skills, not solely based on their education
- Change your job description’s focus from just being about degrees and certifications
- Change ATS filtering by using terms like efficiency or growth
- Use skills focusing in the interview
- Test for the employee’s skill set during the interview process if possible
About Synergy
Synergy Solutions is an executive and search firm focused on roles within the technology sector. If you have questions regarding this article or would like to discuss strategy on open roles at your company, please contact us and someone will get back to you within the next 24 hours.
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