The current trend in hiring is shifting towards skills-based hiring, where employers prioritize candidates' capabilities verified through skills assessments or relevant experience over traditional factors like possessing a college degree. This approach has gained attention in prestigious publications like the Harvard Business Review and Forbes, as well as HireVue's 2024 Global Trends: The State of Hiring report, based on a survey of 6,000 talent leaders from the U.S., U.K., and Australia.
**Key Findings on Skills-Based Hiring:**
- **21%** of surveyed companies have replaced resumes with skills-based assessments.
- **34%** are comfortable using skills assessments throughout the hiring process, showing an increase from the previous year's **29%**.
- **65%** utilize skills assessments to evaluate potential candidates.
**Implications for Job Seekers:**
This shift towards skills-based hiring is beneficial for candidates confident in their job-relevant skills, even without conventional credentials. It also presents opportunities for career changers to acquire new skills and for experienced professionals to stand out based on their competencies.
**Adapting Job Search Strategies for Skills-Based Hiring:**
1. **Emphasize Desired Skills in Application Materials:**
Target your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, networking pitch, and interview examples to highlight key skills sought by potential employers. Incorporate relevant keywords from job postings to align your materials with industry needs.
2. **Demonstrate Skills Proactively:**
Be prepared to showcase your skills in real time, including skills assessment tests if required. Practice relaxation techniques and seek online courses for test practice. Develop a job portfolio with past work samples that exhibit your abilities effectively.
3. **Fill Skills Gaps Through Side Projects:**
Identify skills gaps and address them by engaging in side projects that allow you to learn and apply new competencies. Seek opportunities like volunteer work, consulting roles, or projects with professional bodies to enhance your skill set.
**Importance of Skills Management:**
Given the shift towards skills-focused evaluation in hiring, prioritize continual skill development to progress in your career. Stay updated on industry trends, seek relevant training, and engage in projects outside work to expand and refine your skill set.
By aligning your job search strategy with the demands of skills-based hiring, you enhance your competitiveness and adaptability in today's evolving job market landscape.
Shares of recruitment firm Randstad fell as much as 7% as the company said it experienced softer-than-expected conditions in North America and Northern Europe and that tough conditions continued in April.
The company RAND,
Its underlying EBITA fell 33% to €177 million. Analysts polled by Visible Alpha had expected an EBITA of €188 million on sales of €5.92 billion.
What it calls revenue per working day fell 15% in North America and dropped 15% in Germany.
Randstad said the “subdued activity level” from its clients continued in April with volumes sequentially stable vs. March.