Currently, there is a shift towards skills-based hiring over educational attainments. This is not to say that educational attainments are not useful; they certainly are. But with the change and labour shortages in specialized industries, employers are beginning to look increasingly at skills-based hiring. There is a debate between skills-based and education-based hiring that continues to shape modern recruitment. As workplaces evolve, organizations are rethinking how best to evaluate candidates and prepare for the future.
Let’s explore this situation and how you can use skills-based hiring to your advantage.
What is skills-based hiring?
Skills-based hiring is when employers focus on your skills, experiences, and abilities as demonstrated through your resume, references, and your explanations during an interview. It can also be demonstrated through work samples, portfolios, or assessments. This type of hiring is very common in industries such as technology, design, and trades, where up-to-date expertise is crucial, and a lot of experience is based on how well you have kept up your skills and the knowledge you have that is current.
Many people are now turning to online learning. For example, in social media and technology, Google offers certificates that you can complete at a lower cost and work on your own time to increase your knowledge and get job-ready. This method of learning through both online shorter courses and experienced individuals opens doors for self-taught individuals and those with non-traditional backgrounds.
So what are the advantages? Some of the advantages of skills-based hiring are better alignment with job requirements, faster onboarding and productivity, increased diversity and inclusion, and, as a candidate, it expands your chances of getting hired because of an expanded talent pool of applicants. With skills-based hiring, there are also some limitations. Some of these limitations include determining your soft skills, which can be challenging, so you must be able to demonstrate these skills. Another limitation is that employers overlook foundational knowledge that is typically learnt in school. You should make sure you have some knowledge of theory in your field. This can typically be accomplished through reading academic journals, books, and following trends in your industry.
What is education-based hiring?
Education-based hiring relies on degrees and certifications that you have obtained through more traditional methods. This is essential for regulated professions such as medicine, law, and engineering. Academic credentials can signal discipline, foundational knowledge, and ethical training. Depending on the industry you are looking to work in, some may need a degree.
Some of the advantages of education-based hiring are ensuring compliance with legal or industry requirements, knowledge of baseline requirements in their industry, and, for employers, they will have more efficient screening for large applicant pools. As an individual, your education can be proven through your knowledge and explanations in your job application documents, certifications/designations, and through your explanations in a job interview.
When looking for a job, always apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements. Be sure to explain your professional advantages about how you can excel in the role. Employers are always on the lookout for the next best candidate, so be sure to be prepared with the ability to show your knowledge during the job search process.
Jennifer Bouley is a Career Development Practitioner located in St Stephen. She has a passion for helping others find wellness in their careers, while finding fulfilling jobs. Jennifer can be reached at blissplusyou@gmail.com.
