Skill Based Hiring: 5 steps to finding the right candidate
Although recruiting based on degrees and experience seem to be the most commonly used techniques, skill based hiring will ensure you have the right employee and reduces expensive mistakes. Plus, planning ahead will give you a productive and successful year in 2027. First, we will explain how this works, then we will discuss the benefits this has for employers, and we will also explain how our recruitment consultancy can help you.
What is Skill Based Hiring?
This means employees are hired based on the skills they have, using different methods than the traditional recruiting techniques, such as: assessment centers, practical samples and structured interviewing.
What Are The Traditional Methods Of Hiring And What Are Their Problems?
Recruiting based on CVs leads to:
- Too many candidates to choose from which takes up too much time.
- Missing a great candidate because they don’t have the right degree.
- Hiring the wrong candidate.
- Being too busy for the HR manager or business owner.
- Employees leaving after a short time.
Using the CVs you may miss out on a candidate who doesn’t have a degree but has plenty of related work experience. For example, in a manufacturing company, you may be looking for a CNC operator.
The Demand for External Recruitment Services
When recruitment is done by the company itself, time and effort will be spent to assess the candidates’ skills. When an external recruitment service is engaged, the source, shortlisting and follow up of candidates will be done by the service. A HR consultancy will be aware of the hot skills and market salaries, and help provide realistic hiring criteria.
Benefits of Skill Based Hiring
- Improved Match – Candidates will undertake skills tests and demonstrate their skills.
- More Options – More candidates, regardless of traditional degree.
- Time Saved – Initial calls and tests will not be conducted by your team.
- Market Knowledge – What are the hot skills and market salaries.
- Less Work for HR – Interviews will be done by HR for shortlisted candidates only.
How Can You Source Qualified Candidates?
Qualified candidates mean having the right skills, experience and attitude. To source these candidates, identify the key skills required for the role, and break them down into ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’. Write a job description that explains the day-to-day duties and long-term goals of the role. Devise a practical assessment e.g a typing test or sample work. For interviews, use structured methods, ensure the same questions are asked to all candidates.
How Will Skill Based Hiring Help With Bulk Hiring?
Skill Based Hiring is ideal for Bulk Hiring, as the candidate assessment process can often get lengthy. When a large number of candidates are required, a hiring process that incorporates skills assessments to vet candidates will be the quickest process.
What Bulk Hiring Agencies Do
- Agencies can source candidates from different pools.
- Conduct bulk assessments.
- Plan and execute walk-in interviews.
- Manage all candidates.
How can Professional Recruitment Agencies assist with Efficient Hiring?
Efficient Hiring means you are able to quickly and easily fulfill roles with stellar outcomes. This means less time between a role being opened and filled. There are less unsuitable candidates. Communication is transparent. Less hires are made for the same role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Small Businesses use Skill Based Hiring?
Absolutely! This is likely to benefit small teams the most as each employee hire is of utmost importance. Simple tests and structured interviews are a breeze to implement.
Does this mean degrees don’t matter?
Not at all! Depending on the job role and occupation, a degree may very well be required (i.e. Chartered Accountancy, Engineering, etc.) but in that case, skills would still be weighing the same.
I believe I’m testing candidates fairly. Is there anything I can change or add?
I suggest using the same questions/test for all candidates and keep it short/relevant.
Bulk Hiring: Can a Recruitment Agency help?
Yes. They can manage the entire end to end process of bulk tests and group interviews.
What should I give to my recruiter to improve our chances of receiving better profiles?
Give expected salary, start date, skills required and job description.
Conclusion
Ability based hiring is fair and reliable. When you have clear skills lists and/or practical assessments and professional recruiters, you can save time and get better candidates. Also if you plan for 2027 and use skill based hiring you’re guaranteed to have the right talent.
Om Sai Group Consultancy can help employers find the right candidates. Reach out to us to know more.
