Trying to condense every job you’ve ever held into a two-page résumé has been a frustration for job seekers since roughly the 1950s. Luckily for Gen Z, they might never have to deal with this tedious task.
That’s because studies indicate many companies are shifting away from relying on this classic job application requirement.
In fact, nearly three-quarters of companies now incorporate skills-based assessments into their hiring processes, per TestGorilla’s survey of 3,000 employees and employers worldwide. This figure is up from 56% the prior year.
While many of these employers still use CVs, they could become outdated before long—most leaders already favor this new hiring method and report significant benefits.
Data Indicates Skills-Based Hiring Is More Effective
Surveyed employers who use skills-based hiring—featuring role-specific skill tests rather than just reviewing listed career history—reported substantial improvements.
According to TestGorilla’s findings, this approach cut mis-hires by 88%, reduced total time spent searching for the right candidate by 82%, and lowered hiring-related expenses by 74%.
Overall, 92% of surveyed employers stated skills-based hiring is more effective at identifying skilled candidates than traditional CVs. Additionally, over 80% noted it’s a stronger predictor of on-the-job success and leads to longer-tenured new hires.
By evaluating candidates on how they’d handle a role’s actual day-to-day duties, employers are more likely to hire the best person for the job—rather than being drawn in by prestigious company names or flashy job titles.
As Khyati Sundaram, CEO of skills-based recruitment platform Applied, pointed out: just because someone lists working with an SEO team at an appealing company on their résumé doesn’t mean they understand search engine optimization thoroughly enough for the role.
“We’re striving to ensure each test or question is as relevant to the job as possible,” Sundaram said, adding, “That’s also why candidates appreciate this method.”
Intuitively, people might assume taking multiple skills tests is more of a hassle for job seekers than sending their CV to hundreds of roles—but data tells a different story.
Most workers surveyed by TestGorilla believe skills-based hiring creates a fairer playing field and improves their odds of landing their desired jobs.
This is particularly true for often-overlooked candidates. In fact, around three-quarters of Black, Asian, and Arab employees surveyed by TestGorilla have already gained access to new job opportunities through skills-based assessments.
Shift Away From CVs Aligns With Companies Dropping Degree Requirements
The rise in skills-based hiring coincides with degrees falling down employers’ priority lists.
Google, along with other companies, previously took steps to remove entry barriers and hire more diverse talent. Meanwhile, recruiters worldwide are five times more likely to search for candidates based on skills rather than higher education.
[Name] also stated that young aspiring workers would be better off skipping college to enter the workforce directly.
“At university, you earn a degree but almost certainly end up with debt,” David Meads, former CEO of Cisco’s UK and Ireland division, told . “Is that better than on-the-job experience where you rotate through different parts of our organization, learning real-world skills instead of just theory?”
“For me, attitude and aptitude are more important than any letters after your name or qualifications listed on a sheet,” he added.
However, research shows skeptical Gen Z remain unconvinced—they still favor the traditional college path. So they might still have to go through the chore of writing a résumé, even if it (like a college degree) is no longer necessary.
A version of this story first appeared on [Site Name] on November 23, 2023.
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