When Hiring, Employers Should Stop Looking for the Perfect Match

Employers and HR personnel need to focus their efforts on a candidate’s transferrable skills, rather than searching for the perfect match of skills and qualifications when searching for candidates in a tight job market with a skills shortage, according to the CEO of Australia’s Recruitment and Consulting Services Association.

Employers need to cast a wider net when searching for job candidates, as not all applicants will be an exact match for any given position. Instead they should try to find qualified, teachable candidates who can grow into the position and become the ideal person for the job.

Even for positions that require specific skills and abilities, employers should consider bringing in a candidate with a great deal of potential and help him acquire the desired skills by investing in training the individual. They key is to consider the desired candidate’s training as an investment, rather than an expense, as many companies do.