The Evolution Of Recruitment: The Quest For Soft-Skills.

Recruitment has undergone a major transformation over the decades. In the past, the gatekeepers of recruitment primarily focused on candidates' technical qualifications and skills. Today, 92% of HR acknowledge that hidden skills also called soft skills, are just as crucial, if not more so, than hard skills. Moreover, 89% of them state that bad hires are often the result of a lack of soft skills.

This increased recognition of interpersonal skills is reflected not only in the personal sphere but also in the professional realm.

1. Adaptability
& Problem Solving.

🛖 Daily life:
You are preparing a banquet for your companions, but a crucial ingredient is missing. A master chef might know how to cook the dish, but the adaptable and inventive novice will quickly find an alternative, unfazed by the unexpected.

💰 At work:
A project undergoes last-minute changes. Technical experts have the knowledge to execute tasks, but those who are truly adaptable can better handle stress and adjust swiftly.

2. Communication
& Interpersonal Skills.

🛖 Daily life:
In any relationship (romantic or otherwise), every word counts. Expressing hidden intentions, listening attentively, and resolving conflicts are skills that strengthen bonds.

💰 At work:
Communication is an essential art for successfully completing secret missions. Avoiding information leaks, fostering collaboration in the shadows, conveying coded messages, and providing feedback are all crucial skills in this obscure world.

3. Team Spirit.

🛖 Daily lif :
In a football match, each player has secret techniques (dribbling, shooting), but the team's victory relies on their ability to play together, protect each other, and share information in the shadows.

💰 At work:
Collaborating in a team requires secret skills such as discretion, trust, and mutual support. The success of a mission often depends on the ability of colleagues to work together in harmony.

4. Leadership & Empathy.

🛖 Daily life:
Within a family, parents often assume the role of guides. Their ability to perceive and respond to the emotional needs of their children, to impart values, and to guide their development relies on hidden skills such as empathy, patience, and silent communication.

💰 At work:
Enlightened leaders are not only endowed with technical skills but also capable of motivating, inspiring, and understanding the hidden needs of their teams. Their empathy allows them to create an inclusive work environment and support their colleagues.

5. Time Management.

🛖 Daily life:
Manipulating time is a crucial skill. Whether harmonizing family duties, leisure, and secret missions, perfect mastery of time allows for maintaining a mysterious balance and reducing stress.

💰 At work:
The subtle art of controlling time enables the prioritization of secret missions, meeting deadlines, and managing projects in a mysterious manner."

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🧙🏻‍♂️ Some of the mystics who have already embraced human-centric recruitment :

Google: The Oxygen project

The legendary brotherhood of Google, renowned for its infallible recruitment rituals, undertook a mysterious internal investigation called the 'Oxygen Project.' Far from conventional expectations, this study revealed that hard skills were not the most crucial. The eight paramount virtues identified among the most eminent master builders included subtle skills such as: the art of coaching, agile communication, attentive listening, creating an inclusive work environment, and guiding disciples in their professional growth.

IBM: The arcana of soft-skills in digital transformation

In its tome titled 'The Enterprise Guide to Closing the Skills Gap' (2019), IBM revealed the crucial importance of soft skills for thriving in an ever-evolving digital era. The brotherhood highlighted that talents such as collaboration, communication, and adaptability are essential for successfully undertaking digital transformation quests. Thus, IBM infused training enchantments focused on soft skills into its talent development programs.

Airbnb: The mysteries of culture-centric recruitment

In the enchanted corners of the lodging platform, Airbnb has built its success on the solid foundations of a vibrant corporate culture. During recruitment rituals, Airbnb rigorously probes apprentices, assessing not only their technical skills but also their harmony with the organization's sacred values. The trials include specific puzzles aimed at gauging abilities such as creativity, flexibility, and teamwork cohesion. This arcane approach helps preserve a harmonious corporate culture and ensures remarkable loyalty among followers.

In the parallel realms of work and daily life, soft skills enable individuals to confront unforeseen challenges, communicate and collaborate harmoniously with their peers, guide with empathy, and master time with precision. Today, enlightened companies recognize the importance of these esoteric talents in creating serene and productive work environments.

(Sources : LinkedIn Talent Solutions. "Global Talent Trends 2019." LinkedIn, 2019).

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Hey! I'm Cécile Tran
User Researcher @ Designshot
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