About 18 months ago, pharmaceutical maker Bristol Myers Squibb decided to bolster its commitment to developing cell therapies. However, there was an issue: Few individuals have experience working with this relatively new method, which draws certain cells from an individual, re-engineers them to fight diseases such as cancer, and then infuses them back into the patient.
That’s why BMS started using skills-based hiring to bring people on board to work on the expanded effort. This method for finding talent focuses on individuals’ abilities and competencies rather than their education and direct experience. It’s a more expansive approach that considers individuals who don’t fit the traditional template for a role yet have skills and other experience that can be applied to the job. It often eliminates four-year degree requirements to open up the potential pool of candidates to those who acquired their knowledge through less traditional paths.
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Skills-Based Hiring Is Gaining Ground
SHRM | Mar 2024
Every day, businesses miss out on talented people because their gifts, aptitude and skills aren't as easy to identify as a degree on a resume. HR leaders must step up to make all learning paths count in assessing whether a person can thrive in a job.
To widen pathways to work, employers need the tools and training to assess a prospective worker's full set of competencies, gifts and skills, including and beyond those conferred by traditional education degrees.
Skills-First at Work
SHRM Foundation
Skills-Based Hiring Guidance Issued for Federal Jobs
Skills-Based Hiring Requires Commitment to Change
In Search for Qualified Workers, Maryland Drops Requirement for 4-Year Degree
How Alternative Credentials Can Help You Find Employees
SHRM Survey Finds a Rise of Alternative Credentials in Hiring
LinkedIn Launches Skills-Based Approach to Hiring
How to Adopt Skills-based Hiring Practices
Sample: Skills-First Job Description Template
SHRM
Additional Articles
Skills-Based Hiring: Prioritizing Potential Over Candidates Who Just Look Good on Paper
Robert Half | Feb 2025
There’s more to skills-based hiring than just removing degree requirements
Brookings | Jan 2025
Hiring Focused on Skills Over Degrees Gets Boost in Pending Law
Bloomberg Law | Dec 2024
90% Of Companies Make Better Hires Based On Skills Over Degrees
Forbes (limited free articles without a subscription) | Dec 2024
How Skills-First Hiring Is Shaping the Future of Work
Inc. (limited free articles without a subscription) | Sep 2024
What Companies Get Wrong About Skills-Based Hiring
Using Skills-First Hiring to Build Strong Teams and Grow Your Business
Harvard Business Review (limited free articles) | May 2024, Mar 2024
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