78. How to hire better - skills first - with Mark Smith Ph.D

Practical Leadership Podcast

Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Smith, a respected HR consultant with a PhD in organisational psychology. Mark is also the author of "A Better Choice: The Manager’s Guide to Skills First Hiring." We dive deep into the realm of hiring and uncover how adopting a skills-first approach can significantly improve your hiring success.

In this episode, Mark shares his extensive experience in talent acquisition and organisational assessments, offering practical advice and insights for leaders looking to enhance their hiring practices. Here’s a brief overview of what we discussed:

Introduction to skills-first hiring

Mark begins by explaining the essence of skills-first hiring, emphasising the importance of evaluating candidates based on their skills, abilities, and motivations rather than their educational background or years of experience. This approach is designed to identify the best fit for the job and the organisation.

Challenges of traditional hiring practices

We discuss the common pitfalls of traditional hiring practices, such as over-reliance on education and experience as indicators of job performance. Mark highlights how these criteria can often be misleading and suggests more effective alternatives.

Structured interview processes

One of the key takeaways from our conversation is the importance of structured interviews. Mark explains how asking consistent questions and evaluating responses in a standardised manner can enhance the reliability and validity of the interview process.

Role play assessments and pattern disruption

Mark introduces the concept of role play assessments and pattern disruption to reveal true candidate capabilities. By simulating realistic work scenarios and introducing unexpected changes, employers can better gauge how candidates handle real-world challenges.

Final tips and takeaways

As we wrap up, Mark shares his top recommendations for hiring managers looking to adopt a skills-first approach. From leveraging technology to streamlining the interview process, these tips are designed to help you make more informed and effective hiring decisions.

Join us for an insightful discussion packed with practical advice to improve your hiring strategy. Whether you're a seasoned HR professional or a new manager, this episode offers valuable insights to help you hire better.

Key Quotes and Timings:

1. "The bad hire typically occurs because it's a bad personality fit" (00:07:57 - 00:08:05) Mark highlights that most hiring mistakes stem from personality mismatches rather than a lack of knowledge or skills.
2. "And if you're hiring, you shouldn't really care where the knowledge, where the skills came from" (00:27:41 - 00:28:00) Emphasising the importance of skills over traditional educational credentials, Mark suggests focusing on what candidates can do rather than where they learned it.
3. "How are you going to respond to kind of a realistic work situation" (00:17:01 - 00:17:23) Mark discusses the value of role play assessments in revealing how candidates handle practical job scenarios, providing a more accurate picture of their abilities.
4. "Revealing true skills through pattern disruption" (00:19:00 - 00:19:14) Introducing unexpected changes in assessments helps uncover candidates' adaptability and problem-solving skills, crucial for many roles today.

For more details and resources mentioned in this episode, check out the links in the description. Don't forget to subscribe to the Practical Leadership Podcast for more insights and interviews with industry experts.

Find Mark here: https://www.abetterchoicehire.com/mark-smith