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We get it, with most of the roles you’re hiring for, you’ll want someone who has experience in your industry; or who has worked a similar job in a different sector. This, of course, is particularly true for positions of seniority.
However, it’s also worth considering that sometimes, hiring for potential can also work, and in the current market, with unprecedented skills shortages, there’s no better time to consider your options.
When faced with a large pile of CVs, employers naturally pay the greatest attention to those with demonstrable success and experience in their sector. But all things considered, this won’t necessarily guarantee you the best results.
By extending the olive branch to a candidate with little to no experience, you might find that their ambition and passion makes them a better employee long term.
So, as a Hiring Manager, what could changing your traditional hiring practices mean for your company? Here are 4 reasons to hire a candidate with little to no experience.
Hiring someone new to the industry comes with the high likelihood that they’ll be more adaptable. Generally speaking, an employee that’s spent years in the same role or sector becomes set in their ways.
As with anything, it’s difficult to re-shape someone’s way of thinking after a set period of time; and often, you’ll have to spend longer training these individuals to work differently.
However, if you choose an employee who hasn’t already developed their own processes and habits, it’s often easier for them to embrace a new company culture and its preferred way of working.
Adaptability is essential at the moment. There’s so much uncertainty in the market, professionals need to be comfortable with change and realign their focus depending on their organisation’s needs. And that’s where hiring a candidate without experience can help!
More than ever in today’s world, the progression of any business relies on fresh, new ways of thinking. While those with plenty of experience may still formulate exciting, innovative and creative ideas, there’s also a chance that they’ll feel they’ve seen and done it all before.
Someone that is forging their way in the industry won’t face the same expectations. And it may even surprise you when they do bring new ideas to the table.
What’s more, the best companies always take some inspiration from successful businesses outside of their sector. For that reason, bringing on a candidate with no experience in your field can actually be highly beneficial.
There’s a lot of pressure to innovate for businesses that want to stand out from the crowd. The ability to think outside the box is a critical skill that most businesses require in order to succeed.
This is particularly evident when you’re hiring someone who’s just starting out in their career. Almost always, taking a chance on someone with no experience and training them into your dream employee will help them to feel valued; they’ll be loyal to your company, and passionate about working for you.
After all, you’ve provided them with the opportunity to work and learn in an entirely new industry, your new recruit will be eager to prove that you’ve made the correct decision.
In addition, they should be driven to work as hard as necessary to learn the skills that are essential for the role. Therefore, they’ll be more conscientious and more likely to stay with you for longer. It’s really a win-win for both parties.
On top of that, positivity breeds positivity. When employing someone who shows a real passion for their role, you’ll encourage other members of staff to act and feel the same; which, in turn, can do wonders for your company’s productivity.
Today’s employers have a responsibility to create and nurture the next generation; while it’s easy to stick to tried and tested, it’s not particularly progressive.
A thriving workforce should consist of a variety of skillsets and professionals. And candidates are increasingly attracted to companies that offer training and development.
In fact, the sharp rise of internships and apprenticeships shows the value that hiring people with no experience can bring. In no time at all, you can train your new recruit into the perfect hire you’ve been searching for.
Many employers are finding that credentials and experience aren’t always everything; sometimes, inexperienced candidates can be the better fit.
Just because they don’t have any experience of skills in your sector, doesn’t mean that they’ll be without value altogether. Most candidates will still have a strong set of transferrable attributes that they can use to benefit your workplace.
It might be time to set aside your traditional hiring criteria when searching for the perfect candidate. With training and development opportunities, an underqualified individual could transform into a priceless employee who can bring fresh new ideas to the table. On top of that, they’re more likely to be loyal to your company and want to grow with your business.
There are a number of benefits to hiring a candidate with no experience, but it does depend on the needs of your business and the role you’re hiring for.
However, with skills shortages continuing to grow across the UK, thinking beyond your ‘perfect hire’ might be critical to your hiring success in 2022 and beyond.
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