Skills-based hiring gains ground, moving beyond diplomas

More companies in Poland and globally are shifting away from traditional degree requirements and focusing on skills-based hiring, a recruitment approach that prioritizes candidates’ practical abilities over formal education. Major international firms like IBM, Google, and Revolut are already applying this model, and research shows that 81% of companies worldwide adopted it in 2024, up from 57% in 2022, according to the TestGorilla State of Skills-Based Hiring 2024 report.

The model relies on assessing candidates through competency tests, practical tasks, micro-certifications, or work portfolios, rather than university degrees or CVs listing educational backgrounds. McKinsey reports that skills-based hiring is five times more predictive of job success than educational qualifications. At the same time, companies like Revolut have cut recruitment times by as much as 40% using this approach.

In Poland, the trend is gaining momentum. According to experts from Personnel Service, this method broadens the available talent pool — by up to 6.1 times in some sectors like artificial intelligence and green technologies — improves team diversity, raises retention rates, and reduces recruitment costs.

“It’s not about the paper, it’s about skills,” said Krzysztof Inglot, labour market expert and founder of Personnel Service. “In today’s rapidly changing world, hiring people based on their real competencies is no longer just a trend; it’s a necessity. But many companies still stick to superficial changes — to truly benefit, they need comprehensive systems for assessing skills and fostering continuous employee development.”

This approach can open doors for candidates without formal higher education, allowing companies to better adapt to evolving market demands, especially in technology, logistics, customer service, and analytics.

Source: Personnel Service