Last week, once again I saw an HR rep focusing on a candidate's practical abilities, portfolios and performance. She told me how the entire department is regularly reminded not to make assumptions from a person's education or background. They just need good people that can do each job. Now that's what I call fresh.
Employers are getting real. It felt like skills-based hiring hit the mainstream in 2018, and the rise appears to be even more prevalent in recent years.
If 62% of the U.S. is without a bachelor’s degree, this also seems practical. Education heavyweights like American Student Assistance are investing in tools like expandopportunities.org for thinking beyond four-year degrees.
Following Malcolm Gladwell's suggestion to change the kind of people that we give our attention to, check out Lydia Logan from IBM's Education & Workforce Development on how IBM removed the bachelor’s degree requirement for more than half of U.S. job openings. Extra points for how Lydia emphasizes that any company can do this. Two snaps up in a circle.
At your office, how many times have you seen how an education degree has little or no relevance towards actual job performance? Too many to count? This is why so many companies are leaning towards demonstrated skills and competencies instead.
As skills-based hiring continues to increase, high school students can further justify the prioritization of gaining real job experience (project management, conflict resolution and teamwork). Some states like Rhode Island are overhauling high schools to accommodate more job preparedness. Gaining experience through internships (even if unpaid at first, see more about this in the High School Career Planning blog) will no longer be optional. It will be expected.
