Building a Winning Talent Acquisition Strategy for Skills-Based Hiring

Talent is the lifeblood of a company. Hiring the right people with the skills to get work done is critical to success. But the traditional hiring process is not cutting it anymore.

Resumes do not actually tell whether someone will be good at the job. Candidates are getting savvier at interviews.

Companies need a talent acquisition strategy that focuses on skills, not credentials.

When a company makes skills a priority and finds new ways to assess candidates, they open up the candidate pool, gain valuable insight into people's abilities, and make better hiring decisions. This approach, known as skills-based hiring, is the future of recruiting.

Keep reading to learn how to build a winning talent acquisition strategy that will help hire candidates based on skills.

Defining Talent Acquisition

Talent acquisition refers to the process of recruiting, hiring, and onboarding employees. For skills-based hiring, it is all about finding the right talent with the ability to get the job done.

To build a winning strategy:

1. Define the skills and experience needed for the role. Focus on specific skills, strengths, and competencies.

2. Cast a wide net. Post jobs on multiple sites like LinkedIn, Monster, and Indeed to reach qualified candidates. Consider recruiting from within the company network as well.

3. Focus on potential, not just credentials. Look for transferable skills, a growth mindset, and a passion for work. The most crucial qualities for a role cannot always be taught.

4. Move quickly. In a competitive market, the top candidates will have multiple options. Speed up the interview and hiring process to secure the best talent before they are gone.

5. Offer an amazing candidate experience. From the first point of contact, make sure candidates feel valued and excited about the role. Experience can make or break an offer.

With a skills-based approach to hiring and an efficient talent acquisition process, companies can build a team with the skills to drive the business forward. Focus on what really matters - potential, skills, and fit - and the rest will follow.

Understanding Skills-based Hiring

Skills-based hiring focuses on a candidate's abilities to perform a job, rather than their credentials or work experience. Here are ways to understand it better:

Evaluating skills

Assessing candidates must not depend on where they went to school or who they have worked for in the past. Companies must evaluate the skills and strengths they currently have that match the role. This includes technical skills and soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability.

To decide if a candidate has the skills for the job, use tools like:

• Skills assessments: Have candidates prove abilities through projects, work samples, simulations, or tests.

• Behavioral interviews: Ask candidates how they use relevant skills in earlier roles. Look for specific examples and scientific impacts.

• References: Talk to people who can speak expertly about the candidate's abilities and skill level.

Focusing on skills opens opportunities to a wider range of best candidates. This also set the stage for a more capabilities-driven, lifelong learning culture within the company. Skills-based hiring is the future of recruiting, so it is best to get on board now to build a winning strategy.

Assessing Current Talent Acquisition Strategy

Building an effective talent acquisition strategy for skills-based hiring requires evaluation of the company’s current approach. Some key questions are:

• What skills and competencies are most critical for the open roles? Is the assessment of candidates for these skills accurate?
• How long does it take to fill positions? Can the company improve the timeline?
• Is the company attracting qualified candidates? If not, how does the company reach more qualified and skilled candidates?
• Do the hiring managers and recruiters have the same idea on what creates a great candidate? If not, how can they achieve better alignment?

Examining the current talent acquisition strategy with a critical eye will reveal prospects for improvement. Look for ways to perfect the hiring process and source higher quality candidates. Ensure that the hiring team has the same understanding of the skills requirements and ideal candidate attributes.

Making advances in these areas will help build a talent acquisition strategy focused on skills, competencies, and finding the best match for the company’s needs.

Identifying the Skills Needed for Future Success

Companies must also need to find which skills will be most critical for future success.

Analyze Key Drivers
Look at the key drivers to decide where skill gaps exist or are likely to appear. Examine trends in the industry and company to find areas of future growth. For example, if a company is expanding into new product lines or technologies, the skills to support those plans will be in high demand.

Review the current team’s abilities and experience levels. Note any weaknesses or shortages in key roles. Look for ways to fill those gaps through training and development or by hiring new talent.

Accept that as priorities and technologies change, the skills, and talents the company needs will also evolve. Build in regular reviews of key skills and talent needs to keep the acquisition strategy aligned with the company’s goals.

A skills-based hiring approach requires a solid idea of the abilities that drive performance and innovation. Analyze critical company needs and growth opportunities. Gain valuable insight into the skills critical for success. Use that knowledge to build a workable strategy for attracting and hiring the right talent.

Developing a Skills-Based Hiring Process

Once companies have the right mindset and team in place, it is time to develop a skills-based hiring process. This means:

1. Focusing on skills, not degrees.

Look for candidates with the abilities and skills to do the job. Ask questions to assess problem-solving skills, critical thinking, collaboration, and other soft skills. Prioritize skills that match company values and goals.

2. Repackaging job descriptions.

Describe the skills and work activities. Highlight prospects for growth and learning. This helps candidates understand the role better and appeals to lifelong learners.

3. Rethinking job requirements.

Be open to candidates with alternate backgrounds who have the right skills and motivation. Offer mentorship and on-the-job training.

4. Adopting a growth mindset.

Consider potential and passion. Choose candidates who are eager to learn and improve. Offer learning opportunities to help everyone enhance their skills.

The key elements to building a winning talent acquisition strategy focus on skills. Companies can rework their job descriptions and candidate screening to highlight abilities over credentials. It can help tap into new talent pools and be open to non-traditional candidates. Skills are the currency of the future, so companies must make skills-based hiring a priority. With the right strategy and mindset, they can gain a key competitive lead by hiring for skills.