If you are planning for a career switch, we recommend upskilling. A new report by Indeed, a global matching and hiring platform, suggests that over 80 per cent of employers have adopted a skills-first strategy, indicating a broader shift towards practical expertise across industries. In simple words, a growing number of employers are focusing more on skills and experiences than formal degrees. According to the report, this shift is evident in domains like technology, AI, and cybersecurity. These are the industries where companies are looking for candidates with hands-on capabilities, not just their academic credentials. With businesses evolving, there is a focus on candidates who are capable of showing job-ready skills. "Employers are recognising that the ability to apply skills in real-world scenarios is becoming more important than academic qualifications," said Rohan Sylvester, talent strategy advisor at Indeed India. The report also states that an increasing number of workers (60 per cent) believe that skills-based hiring will increase by 2025. This would also lead to many investing in specialised training, certifications, and hands-on learning. According to the report, employers are actively looking for candidates who possess attributes such as problem-solving, adaptability, and technical expertise. Even though the shift is palpable, as many as 42 per cent of hiring managers report difficulties in finding candidates with necessary skills. According to the report, to address this gap companies are doing away with degree requirements, re-evaluating job descriptions, and expanding hiring criteria to attract a wider talent pool. “Hiring is evolving fast. Degrees still matter, but they’re no longer the only ticket to a great job. Employers now care more about what candidates can do than just where they studied. With technology advancing so quickly, companies need people who can adapt, problem-solve, and apply their skills in real-world scenarios," Sylvester said. When it comes to skills that are in demand, the report revealed that employers highlighted a mix of technical and soft skills. Teamwork, communication, adaptability, and critical thinking are among the most sought-after qualities. This is because businesses are increasingly prioritising problem-solving and collaboration in dynamic environments. The report also shared how companies that have implemented the skills-first model fared. As many as 38 per cent of employers said that employees with transferable skills contributed across multiple roles, while 31 per cent observed an improvement in candidate quality. About 30 per cent of the surveyed employers reported broader business advantages, including increased innovation and diversity.
