What Is Skills-First Hiring?
Many companies are moving beyond traditional candidate screening methods that prioritize degrees and years of experience. Instead, they're adopting a skills-first hiring approach, which focuses on the actual skills and competencies of applicants.
Rather than assuming that a degree or work experience equates to competence, these organizations are directly assessing the skills and traits that matter most. This shift allows them to consider a broader pool of candidates, ultimately selecting the most qualified person for the job.
To successfully implement this approach, hiring managers must be open to redefining what it means to be "qualified." In A Better Choice: The Manager’s Guide to Skills-First Hiring, we directly address hiring managers, encouraging them to embrace this transformative hiring strategy. Additionally, we partner with companies to put these principles into practice, guiding them through the steps and changes necessary to fully adopt a skills-first approach.
America’s Governors Support Skills-First Hiring
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) in May 2023 announced that Virginia will eliminate degree requirements for most state jobs. “This landmark change in hiring practices… will improve hiring processes, expand possibilities and career paths for job seekers and enhance our ability to deliver quality services.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) in May 2023 issued an executive order that “furthers Ohio’s nationwide-leading work with unique initiatives to further our efforts to recruit the best talent regardless of academic degree.”
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R) in April 2023 indicated that she “took classes for many years, but I did not graduate with my bachelor’s degree until I was already a member of Congress.” “…Not having a postsecondary degree didn’t hold me back, so I hope that qualified, dedicated South Dakotans can have those same opportunities.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) in April 2023 issued a statement that “Every American should have the ability to attain a good job with growth opportunities and secure their place in the middle class, regardless of whether or not they have a college degree.”
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) in March 2023 stated “You don’t necessarily need to have a degree to be great at your job,” and “…we recognize the value of work experience and don’t want the lack of higher education to be a barrier to starting or advancing in a state career.”
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) in February 2023 stated “If a person can do the job, we shouldn’t be holding anyone back just because they don’t have a degree.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) ordered in April 2022 that Colorado will “align its hiring processes to look beyond college degrees and related postsecondary credentials to focus on the . . . knowledge, skills, and abilities specific . . . to a particular job.”
What Readers Have to Say about A Better Choice
Kimberly Vargas, HR director at the San Diego Symphony
"A Better Choice offers a refreshing perspective on hiring. Its focus on skills-first hiring has revolutionized the way I am thinking about talent acquisition. It's a must-read for any manager looking to create high-performing teams."
Shaun Willis, partner and founder at Willis Law
"Having dealt with a multitude of unreliable systems for hiring talent, I was intrigued by the concept of skills-first hiring introduced in 'A Better Choice.' The practical tips and actionable insights by Dr. Smith are instrumental in reshaping our hiring strategy. I wholeheartedly endorse this book to all hiring managers."
Kelby Zorgdrager, tech skills entrepreneur