Real skills lost amidst the technical requirements
It’s easy to see how it happens – conversations over time, stakeholders consulted, various vested interests expressing opinions and an internally focussed view of the tasks and priorities. The output? Three pages of very detailed minimum requirements of the ideal candidate’s experiences, knowledge and technical skills. By preparing the ultimate corporate wish list, rather than identifying key selection factors, the company almost inevitably places itself in an impossible position, with a flawed recruitment process.
A reassessment, though not a rejection, of such detailed technical job descriptions could well be in the interests of sourcing and selecting the best candidate. While there is a minimum level of relevant experience required for senior leadership roles in any sector, the core skills and behaviours of candidates can often get lost in focussing on more specific requirements. The key is to understand the particular characteristics of an industry that may be transferable across sectors. This immediately opens up the pool of suitable candidates and increases the likelihood of successful recruitment.
How many lines of a job description could be replaced by the requirement for an individual that, perhaps not having all of the prescribed sector experience, may be more driven, focussed, intelligent or people orientated?
The success of appointing individuals without the technical requirements for a role is evidenced by the numerous internal appointments we see. These tend to be based on prior knowledge of that individual’s generic skills and personality, giving confidence in their ability to take on the new role. While this is in sharp contrast with the stringent stipulations made of an ‘outsider’, these internal moves, based on ‘gut feel’ or the individual’s general reputation, are often successful.
Consider challenging your job specification. Identify those qualifications or industry experiences that are really necessary. It may well be that the stipulation that someone has managed a bonded warehouse is justifiable or that they must have a CPC. In order to open up the recruitment pool to a greater number of talented people it may be possible to dilute some requirements, rather than omit them altogether. While a requirement for someone with logistics experience of chilled foods might be a reasonable demand, it may be worth considering broadening the pool to other, similarly disciplined environments – say automotive or pharmaceuticals.
Of course, it depends on the role – the requirements may all be essential. Keep an eye on your job description, and during the hiring process, for the unnecessary requirement that has unwittingly reduced your pool of potential candidates by a factor of 100.
Bear in mind the individual who might do the job. They must not only be suited to it, but also want it.
Just as the technical needs can turn into a shopping list, the soft, character traits required can also inadvertently morph into an unlikely personality. Can you picture the individual who would relish the range of demands of the position? Is it realistic to expect that the analyst suited to 90% of a design role will also have the personality to sell the solution to a customer?
Ask who would do this job: What are their skills? What drives them? Why would they do it? The last question also needs to be addressed in context. Your job description will almost certainly be suited to someone at a particular point in their career – ‘Why your business?’ and ‘Why now?’ can also be worth a sense check.
Review your specification - don’t tear it up. If you visit a hospital you, of course, expect to see a doctor not a highly qualified lawyer. But are there requirements that you should reconsider? If an otherwise strong candidate can make up a missing skill within three months, they may well be the better prospect for the longer term future of your business.