In recent years, a shortage of skilled workers has emerged in the workforce. To address this scarcity, there has been a shift in hiring methods, prioritizing candidates with the precise experiences and skills required for a position over traditional metrics like education or age. This shift reflects an ongoing trend within the industry, expected to persist into 2024. Cassie Wells, founder of Modern Business Development, shares why she recently diverted to hiring employees based on skill set and experiences over those only possessing a higher education.

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Shaping Success Through Networking

In fields such as architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), achieving success isn’t solely reliant on what you know; it’s equally influenced by who you know. While a degree lays the groundwork of knowledge, networking plays a pivotal role in advancing your career by facilitating connections with influential individuals, fostering professional development, and opening doors to opportunities. We’re taught that the resume can get you the interview and the interview lands you the position. However, when you have been in the workplace for a while you start to learn it’s not “what” you know but “who” you know.

On the one hand, those in the industry who can obtain an interview through their own connections will always have a certain leg up on the competition. It is the second part that people often overlook. People who know people. Those who understand how to interact, read and communicate effectively with those around them including friends, family, acquaintances and strangers will set themselves apart and have an advantage.

Collaborating with peers within your industry allows you to enhance your expertise and address knowledge gaps through shared insights and experiences. With a robust network, you also gain access to insider information about potential career prospects. A solid net of connections can lead to a referral from a trusted contact, distinguishing you from other applicants and potentially securing your ideal job.

Redefining Credentials

While technical skills and degrees are extremely important for certain elements in the AEC industry, when it comes to positions where representatives are working directly with clients, designers, project managers, etc., they need to be good at working with people. Their primary roles are to listen and advise, often skills that are not obtained through a degree but through life experience in working with others.

When assessing potential candidates, the emphasis now lies on both interpersonal and hard skills, evaluating how well they can represent the company, build connections, and apply the skills acquired from real-world experiences. When hiring for a position, employers are looking for candidates who have participated in extracurricular, competitive activities – this can be anything from traditional sports, marching band, show choir, or any situation where others rely on your performance for their success. These scenarios demonstrate that the individual is determined and works well with others towards a common goal, which can be crucial in a workplace setting. Retail and restaurant experience is also considered valuable to employers as it demonstrates a candidate’s experience prioritizing customer service, which can translate in a professional setting.

Fostering Talent Beyond Traditional Education

It’s up to business owners and hiring managers to acknowledge and cultivate talent post graduation, prioritizing the significance of interpersonal connections and adaptability. By adopting this approach, they are not only able to better prepare the next generation for their professional endeavors, but also equip them with essential life skills that are vital for success beyond the workplace. Recognizing the value of real-world experiences and encompassing teamwork and customer interactions offer invaluable lessons that extend far beyond the academic realm. This perspective ensures that individuals entering the workforce are better positioned to excel in the roles they pursue, fostering a more competent and adaptable workforce overall.

Parents and guardians also play a role in ensuring that children are as prepared as possible to enter the workforce and contribute to society. Whether they pursue a higher education, enter a trade school, or go straight into the workforce after graduation, one thing is for certain: being on a team and working with strangers in a customer service environment will teach them life skills that a degree cannot.

While employers still place high value on possessing a college degree, the current professional environment places greater emphasis on cultivating a broad network, honing interpersonal skills, and acquiring real-world experience, all of which are essential for effective job performance.

Joining community groups can help enhance these skills. Keymakers is one local networking group that gives business professionals access to vital connections and networking opportunities that lead to business development and growth.

Author: Cassie Wells is founder of Modern Business Development.