Hiring today isn’t what it used to be.
With AI tools like ChatGPT crafting resumes that dazzle on paper, it’s easy to feel confident about a candidate’s potential. But candidates that look good on paper don’t always translate to high performers in the real world. How do you make sure you’re hiring for substance and not just style? Skills-based hiring shifts focus away from polished applications to what truly matters: measurable results and proven abilities.
What Happens When AI Writes a Better Resume?
AI has made it easier than ever for candidates to create flawless and seriously impressive resumes. Tools like ChatGPT enable candidates to craft professional-looking applications in minutes. The problem? These resumes rarely demonstrate the candidate’s actual skillset, and traditional hiring methods are struggling to keep up.
By shifting to a skills-based approach and process, you can see through the veneer and identify candidates who can perform in the real world.
Why Traditional Hiring Falls Short
Traditionally, hiring has relied on resumes and qualifications as key indicators of a candidate’s potential and for the experienced few leaders, the addition of behavioural questions. Today though, AI can spit out tailored behavioural examples that precisely match your criteria within seconds, leaving you none-the-wiser if the candidate has done, and can actually do the job you are hiring for.
Why Skills-Based Hiring Works
Skills-based hiring allows candidates to demonstrate what they can do over what they say they can do. Here’s why every small business needs to take hold of AI for recruiting, before your candidates use AI to take hold of you:
1. Skills-Based Hiring Validates Candidate Skills
Resumes list skills, but skills-based hiring verifies them. For instance, ask a marketing candidate to build a document in Canva or a project manager to create a task plan in Trello. Tests of specific skills relevant to the role, particularly where a candidate has stated proficiency and provide clear insights into a candidate’s real capabilities.
2. Strengthen Teams through Skills Gap Analysis
When it comes to skills tests, we look at what a candidate can do, as well as what they cannot. Knowing the gap ensures that you hire based on the level you need to round out your team, giving it the expertise it needs to succeed. Placing new hires at the correct level in your existing team leads to higher employee satisfaction and trust in your leadership (and hiring ability), as they will thrive in being recognised fairly for strengths within the team.
How to Adopt Skills-Based Hiring
Transitioning to this approach is simpler than you think. Here are actionable steps:
- Leverage Skills Platforms: Tools like TestGorilla help you assess candidates through tailored tests.
- Use AI in your Hiring Process: Have AI write the documentation of all steps of your hiring process, including the skills tests to correctly identify the person and criteria for your vacancy.
- Train Your Hiring Team: Equip your managers to value a fair and unbiased recruitment process through linking the hiring process to measurable criteria via workshops or training programs.
A fair and consistent hiring process, aided by the use of AI tools can be evidenced through reduced turnover, diversity and innovation and your workplace culture. Sticking to your pre-prepared recruiting ‘script’ won’t just make hiring easier, it will make your business stronger saving you time and money through the efficiency you create.
Need a hand with building a consistent recruitment process and hiring documentation with AI. We are here to help! Book a call with a Consultant here.