HireVue: 1 in 3 recruiters focusing on skills over experience

Skills are the new currency in the world of work.

Amid the ongoing economic crisis, employers have moved from frantically hiring at scale to focusing more on quality (over quantity) – that’s according to new research from hiring tech giant HireVue.

According to a survey of more than 6,000 talent leaders and 3,000 candidates in the UK, US and Australia, organizations are moving away from focusing on just experience, and towards skills and potential.

96% of talent leaders told HireVue that they look at both current and future skills – and aptitude for learning – when making hiring decisions.

More than a third are moving away from relying purely on people’s past experiences, and their resumes.

To do this, hiring teams are moving away toward assessments (34%) and are creating a skills-centric hiring culture in their organizations.

They are also leaning into upskilling and reskilling internal candidates, and then promoting them (56%) – this is up from 44% in HireVue’s 2023 report.

Candidates are on board with them – they want to work for organizations where there are opportunities for progression (52%), this is because job security is top of mind for 27% of those surveyed by HireVue.

Recruiters and tech needs to work hand in hand

The economic environment is causing recruiters problems though – 47% are having their budgets slashed (up from 39% in 2023). This means they have to do more with less, and they are leaning into tech to help.

A third are seeing their tech budgets increase – this is good news as hiring teams are getting more on board with AI and automation to help them save time (15%) and costs (44%).

Speaking exclusively to UNLEASH, Tom Cornell, senior psychology consultant at HireVue shares: “It’s fantastic to see a shift in the hiring landscape.

“Hiring managers are focusing on the integration of technology, skills-based assessments and human potential.

“This represents a paradigm shift in the realm of talent acquisition, paving the way for a more future-oriented and inclusive hiring landscape.”

Candidates are on board; the efficiencies from tech are driving up their experience.

Although 39% of the candidates surveyed have not applied for a job in 12 months, when they do apply, they are declining opportunities because hiring processes were too cumbersome.

Poor communication was an issue for 62% of candidates, while 37% were annoyed about pay and benefits and 46% struggled with a lack of transparency in the hiring process.

HR, are you ready to make the change and reap the rewards?

Want to cut through the hype on AI and hiring? Then join us on April 17th for an exclusive UNLEASH webinar where HireVue’s Chief Data Scientist Dr Lindsey Zuloaga and Senior Global Communications Manager Chelsea Kilpack will share practical tips and tricks. Register here!