A majority of employers are now using skill-based hiring to fill roles – presenting an opportunity for students without traditional educational backgrounds or those looking to change careers.
The National Association of College and Employers Job Outlook 2026 survey reveals that 70 percent of employers use skill-based hiring, compared to 65 percent last year. If you’re looking for a new role, consider emphasizing how the skills you already have can set you up for career advancement, regardless of your academic background.
What Skill-Based Hiring Looks Like
Skill-based hiring focuses not only on what a working professional can do today, but what they’re capable of doing in the future. Traditional job screening is based on education and experience, according to Handshake, whereas skill-based hiring screens for competencies.
With this approach, employers can align their recruitment processes with the necessary skills to do the job, instead of just looking at degrees or grade point averages. Skill-based hiring also opens doors for workers with nontraditional educational backgrounds, which can be a huge advantage for those switching fields or industries.
Employers typically use skill-based hiring practices to write job descriptions and interview questions. A comprehensive skill-based hiring approach should assess:
- Technical skills, including job-specific knowledge and abilities to perform particular tasks such as data analysis or using software tools to complete a project.
- Soft skills, including personal and interpersonal abilities needed to work, communicate and collaborate effectively with others.
- Transferable skills, such as capabilities developed in a role or industry that can be applied effectively in another, like project management.
How to Make Your Experience Count
If you’re searching for a new role, chances are good your future employer is using skill-based recruitment tools. Here’s how you can stand out from the crowd:
- Prepare for job interviews in which you can demonstrate the desired skills. If you’re in the process of interviewing with an employer who is using skill-based hiring, you’ll want to show that you have the skills necessary to do the job. If you have limited work experience, consider pointing to internships or volunteer positions. If you’ve had some experience, pick specific scenarios in which you successfully demonstrated your skills to complete a task. Instead of simply labeling yourself as a problem-solver, talk through a situation in which you were faced with a problem, the steps you took to resolve the situation, and the result.
- Create a skill-based resume and cover letter. Instead of providing your prospective employer with a laundry list of your past roles and responsibilities, explain how you used the desired skills in past experiences. For example, if you trained new employees to use a software tool, you have demonstrated not only technical skills, but leadership skills. Similarly, if you regularly give presentations or lead meetings, you can point to soft skills like public speaking, writing, and adaptability.
- Assemble a portfolio with examples of your work. Provide tangible items that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments, whether it’s a sample presentation, research project, or a quality improvement initiative you helped implement.
How Continuing Education Can Help
It’s likely you’ll find jobs during your search that pique your interest but require some skills you may not have developed yet. Don’t assume you’re unqualified or that you won’t be able to land your dream job eventually! Consider continuing education to close your skills gaps and build confidence. Whether it’s a free course, an industry certification, or a graduate degree, the more education you can get to help you polish your skills, the better. Upskilling can increase your confidence, while improving your chances of getting hired and your earning potential. You’ll also remain current with changing workforce requirements.
Online degree or graduate certificate programs offer the flexibility necessary to learn skills while working and job hunting full-time. Competency-based programs like UW Flexible Option allow you to move through your coursework based on your ability to prove you have mastered competencies—the skills, abilities, and knowledge required in an area of study.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re thinking about boosting your digital skills, sharpening your leadership abilities, or exploring something completely new, continuing education is one of the most effective ways to remain relevant in today’s evolving workforce. Recent research shows that 90 percent of online college graduates say their degree will have a positive return on investment, and 98 percent said they would recommend online education to others.
UW Online Collaboratives and UW Flexible Option offer courses in a variety of areas including business, technology, and healthcare, in addition to durable skills courses that focus on developing critical thinking skills and AI literacy to help students be even more competitive on the job hunt.