Recruitment of Candidates with Transferable Skills

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, a significant number of individuals faced unemployment, creating a challenge for employers who later struggled to attract qualified candidates as the situation improved. Within the hospitality sector, the shortage of suitable personnel posed a particularly pressing issue, exacerbated by factors such as governmental support incentives for remaining out of the workforce. Consequently, filling vacant positions became an arduous task, with many former hospitality workers opting not to return to their previous roles, citing various reasons including a desire for a career change. Today, attracting new talent to your hospitality enterprise necessitates the implementation of innovative recruitment strategies, some of which are detailed below. However, a valuable yet often overlooked approach is to engage candidates possessing transferable skills.

Understanding Transferable Skills

Ideal candidates possess the requisite skills, talent, and knowledge to effectively carry out their responsibilities. Moreover, incorporating individuals with transferable skills, which are skills that are applicable across various industries, roles, and situations, can significantly enhance the capabilities of your workforce.

Transferable skills are competencies inherent to an individual employee, which can be applied across different roles and industries. These skills are not necessarily taught by an employer, but are developed and strengthened through previous employment and life experiences. They are cultivated through engagement in diverse projects and challenging tasks over time.

 

For instance, imagine requiring a head chef for your establishment. By engaging the services of a respected recruitment agency such as Gecko Hospitality, a suitable candidate can be identified. Subsequently, it may come to light that the selected chef possesses valuable team-building aptitude honed through diverse professional experiences. This transferable skill presents an advantageous asset to your organization.

Skill Types

Transferable skills come in a variety of forms, whether gained through academic pursuits or diverse work experiences. For instance, consider the scenario of hiring a casino manager who previously worked as a construction manager. The positive takeaway is leveraging the valuable skills acquired during her earlier role for the benefit of your organization.

Some of the most valuable transferable skills today include:

Comparing Transferable Skills to Direct Experience

Candidates bring a variety of transferable skills to your business. For example, some may excel in technology, able to offer valuable guidance for advancing your organization. Others may speak multiple languages, which can be advantageous in a diverse business setting. Additionally, some candidates may possess skills in negotiation, interviewing, writing, and accounting that can benefit your business operations.

All of these aspects hold value for you in various capacities. Transferable skills are highly regarded by many employers as more than mere previous work experiences. They encompass both hard skills, which are quantifiable, and soft skills such as time management. Regrettably, a significant number of job seekers are unaware of their transferable skills. According to a survey conducted by LiveCareer, 57 percent (21.1 million individuals) are uncertain about how to incorporate transferable skills into their resumes.

Identifying Candidates with Strong Transferable Skills

Identifying candidates with the transferable skills you need may pose a difficulty. While employee referrals are effective, they may not generate a sufficient pool of suitable candidates. A more effective method is to engage a recruiter with expertise in screening and selecting candidates tailored to your company’s requirements.

By recruiting employees who possess a combination of valuable experience and strong transferable skills, you will effectively lower turnover rates and enhance productivity within your organization. Empowering employees to leverage the skills they have acquired through various life experiences leads to higher levels of satisfaction and engagement. Actively seeking, attracting, and retaining such talented individuals will undoubtedly drive your business towards heightened success and prosperity.

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