A new trend in the workforce is skills-based recruitment. Essentially, this is a talent acquisition strategy that focuses on employee skills as opposed to credentials.

Exploring Skills-Based Recruitment

There are many reasons why an employee’s talents go unnoticed by people. Maybe they have a low-income background and have not had the opportunity to achieve their higher education goals. Maybe they specialize in new technology and have not had a chance to perform in a professional setting. To adopt skills-based recruiting, we need to understand what kind of skills we are looking for. In this content, we focus specifically on the importance of soft skills, which are difficult to express with a college degree or traditional resume.

What are “Soft Skills”?

“Soft skills” are skills that are abstract and difficult to measure. In fact, it can also be defined as personal and interpersonal skills. It’s about how your habits, strengths and weaknesses shape the way you work, how you interact with employees and yourself, how you influence people. In an age where information is easily accessible, soft skills have become more important.

Soft skills are extremely important in making interpersonal connections and keeping office morale high. Below, we’ve compiled a list of key skills to consider when hiring new employees.

Social Skills and Employee Engagement

Communication: Communication skills are important in every aspect of life. Employees who can communicate with people, whether customers, leaders, colleagues or employers, will be invaluable to your company. Talking to people clearly and politely, face to face, online or in writing, prevents misunderstandings and helps the workplace run smoothly.

Business Ethics: It is important to seek candidates with a strong work ethic. A strong work ethic means getting to work on time, completing tasks promptly, and staying organized even in chaotic situations. People with this skill have the ability to fill their time wisely and complete their work with attention to detail.

Overcoming Workforce Development Challenges with Positivity

Positive Attitude: People are always attracted to positive energy and optimism. This valuable feature also comes in handy in the workplace. Look out for employees who are friendly to others, on the bright side, and nice at social events. Employees with an optimistic outlook are especially important if your company is going through a particularly stressful or difficult time.

Teamwork: People who can work well with others will help your company thrive. It’s common for businesses to engage in team projects, department meetings, and people from a variety of perspectives. The characteristics of a good team player include the ability to negotiate with others, the capacity to appreciate diversity in a team, and the willingness to compromise.

Challenge Your Current Talent Acquisition Strategy

If you feel at a turning point in your current talent acquisition method, you are not alone. Many businesses are not aware of the skills and potential of their employees. Fortunately, a growing number of nonprofits are focused on providing skills-based solutions for job seekers, especially those without a college degree.

When looking for a new employee, take the initiative and start looking beyond college credentials. Focusing on invaluable social skills can help your entire workforce.

If you want to make the skills-based recruitment approach your company culture, contact us!