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For Better Hiring Outcomes, Take a Skills-Based Approach

Published Fri Jan 20 2023

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In traditional hiring environments, some credentials are more valued than others. Years of experience and education are often weighed heavily—perhaps too heavily. Some organizations are rejecting that common wisdom and instead focusing on a candidate’s skills, regardless of how they came by them. Experts say a skills-first hiring approach can help democratize the hiring process and allows more equal access to professional growth and economic opportunities. But candidates aren’t the only ones benefiting from a skills-first hiring approach. Employers find this tactic results in a significantly more robust talent pipeline—an important factor for success in a tight labor market. Those relying on employee skills for hiring decisions report they are 60 percent more likely to find a successful hire than those relying on more traditional means. “A skills-based approach enables organizations to upskill current employees, retain top talent by investing in their career development, and attract a diverse pool of talented individuals from around the world,” said Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO of Coursera. He says that organizations that focus on skills will have an advantage when competing for top talent.

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