The way companies hire is changing. Instead of focusing mainly on CVs filled with degrees or job titles, more employers are now looking at the skills people bring to the table. This is known as skills-based recruitment – and it’s on the rise.

It means someone’s ability to do the job matters more than where they went to university, or whether they’ve held a similar role before. This approach is especially helpful for people switching careers, re-entering the workforce, or those without traditional qualifications.

Companies are embracing it because it helps them tap into wider talent pools, speed up hiring, and improve diversity. According to LinkedIn and other major platforms, more employers than ever are removing degree requirements and focusing on practical abilities instead.

What counts as a ‘skill’ – and how do I show it?
A skill can be anything you’ve learned to do – from writing code or operating machinery, to managing a project or resolving customer issues. Skills are often divided into:

• Hard skills: technical or job-specific abilities, like bookkeeping, copywriting, using Excel, or speaking a foreign language.
• Soft skills: people-based or transferable abilities, like communication, teamwork, creativity, or time management.

To show your skills to employers, think beyond job titles. Use your CV, cover letter and online profiles (like LinkedIn) to explain what you did, how you did it, and what impact it had.

For example:

“Designed and ran a social media campaign that increased engagement by 40% over three months.”

Even if you’ve gained a skill outside of work – like through volunteering, personal projects, or self-study – it still counts.

How to tailor your application in a skills-first world
Here are some practical steps to help you make the most of this shift:

- Read job ads carefully
Look for the skills they list under “what we’re looking for”. These are your starting points – highlight any that you already have and give clear examples of when you’ve used them.

- Use skills-based CV formats
Instead of listing your work history in strict date order, you can group your experience under key skill areas. This helps recruiters quickly see what you can offer – especially if you’ve had a non-linear career.

- Use keywords
Many companies use software to scan CVs. To get past these filters, mirror the language used in the job ad. For instance, if they ask for “budget management”, don’t just say “handled money” – use their terms where possible.

- Show, don’t just tell
Saying you’re “a good communicator” is one thing. But giving a brief example – like leading a team presentation or resolving a difficult customer issue – makes your case far stronger.

If you spot a gap in your skills, it’s easier than ever to start learning. Some useful places to explore:

• LinkedIn Learning – Offers free trials and short courses on everything from coding to public speaking.
• FutureLearn or Coursera – Free courses from universities and organisations on a wide range of topics.
• Google Digital Garage – Free training in areas like data, marketing and career development.
• Local job centres or community colleges – Often offer free or subsidised training programmes.

Focus on the skills that are in demand in your chosen field. Even a short course or self-taught project can make your CV stand out.

Whether you’re looking for your first job, switching industries, or re-entering the workforce, skills-based recruitment is opening new doors. You don’t need to tick every box – but you do need to show what you can do, and how you’ve done it before.

So take time to identify your top skills, back them up with examples, and keep building where you can. In this new world of work, your skills are your strongest selling point.