Companies worldwide are increasingly focusing on specific skills during their hiring process. This indicates a change in recruitment strategy. Education is losing its value, especially when it is not coupled with practical skills. With this in mind, the revolution in artificial intelligence (AI) takes on significance. This breakthrough technology has not only redefined the way we perform tasks but it has also increased our efficiency. Moreover, it has incited an increase in demand for people who are familiar with the operation and understanding of AI. Ultimately, the ability to work with artificial intelligence has become as crucial as once having proficiency in using the internet was.
The Downfall of Employment Based on Positions and Degrees
Traditional methods of talent acquisition are increasingly being challenged in terms of their inefficiency and the limitations they impose. For years the focus was placed on qualifications seen through the prism of education and experience, often overlooking the most critical aspect – skills. The previous divide formed an organizational structure, defining roles, responsibilities and company culture. However, in the face of demographic and technological changes, the traditional model no longer fulfilled its role. LinkedIn data shows that the required skills for a given position have changed about 25% since 2015 and this figure is expected to double because of AI.
New Employee Skills in the Era of AI
Magdalena Zajkowska, Vice President of Nest Bank’s Board, notes dynamic changes in the job market, highlighting that work is becoming more multitask-oriented and interdisciplinary, going beyond established norms. This transformation raises questions about long-held assumptions regarding traditional employment models. As a result, more companies are focusing on the skills their employees possess rather than the designation of their job role. Market data confirms this: 71% of employees admit their duties exceed formal job descriptions, and 81% of management staff notice that work is carried out across various functional areas.
The expert further adds that according to the latest Microsoft research, 82% of leaders globally and 85% in Asia and Pacific regions believe that in the future dominated by artificial intelligence, employees will need new competencies. The most critical of which are: the ability to adapt to changes, flexibility, and emotional intelligence. These skills will become key competencies, not only for specialists in the field of AI but for everyone who will be using it in their work.
Those involved in developing and implementing AI-based solutions demonstrate not only advanced technical knowledge but also a thorough understanding of business processes. This means they have to be capable of precisely analyzing and evaluating various aspects of a company’s operation, from revenue generation to customer interaction and logistics. Such a comprehensive analysis is essential for effectively using AI in solving real business problems and maximizing return on investment (ROI).
Emotional intelligence, although it might seem like an unusual skill in the context of working with AI, plays a key role. In the era of growing automation and advanced technologies, the ability to distinguish situations where AI is most effective from those requiring human engagement is becoming increasingly important. For example, when interacting with a client, AI can effectively sort data and provide simple answers, but in situations requiring empathy and deep understanding, human involvement is irreplaceable.
Microsoft stresses in its studies that a balance between technical proficiency and emotional intelligence is crucial for future leaders in the field of AI. It’s not just about knowledge of algorithms and the skill to program them, but also understanding how and when these algorithms should be applied in the context of broader business goals and human needs. This holistic approach to AI competencies distinguishes the real innovators and leaders in this dynamically developing market.
Skills Support Diversity
A focus on candidate skills also fosters the maintenance of high diversity within an organization, leading to an increase in the potential employee pool, taking into account a greater representation of genders, age groups, and nationalities.
Magdalena Zajkowska emphasizes that the scope and significance of these changes have the potential to naturally introduce diversity into organizational structures. On positions where women are poorly represented, skill-based hiring could increase their share in the candidate pool by even 24%. The same applies to different age groups. The representation of Generation Z in this…
This is almost a ten-fold jump in the potential of individuals who were previously overlooked. This approach leads to a paradigm shift in employment, enabling companies to compete more effectively in the talent market while concurrently developing the capabilities and potential of their employees.
The rise in skills-based employment reflects a profound change in the approach and recruitment strategies of employers. They are increasingly emphasizing the candidate’s competence, rather than their education or professional experience. According to the 2022 TestGorilla report, 76% of employers have used some form of skills-based recruitment to find new talent, and in 55% of cases, they used tests tailored to a specific position. This approach is gaining popularity – LinkedIn reports a 21% increase in the number of job ads emphasizing skills rather than formal qualifications.
