Traditionally, companies seek candidates with “relevant experience.” By “relevant,” we mean companies seek candidates generally familiar with their occupation. However, many companies out there overlook the benefits of hiring less experienced candidates.
While it is true that hiring experienced employees reduces the need for training, less-experienced candidates can bring a fresh perspective to your organization. Less-experienced candidates can bring a number of valuable skills to the table, such as soft skills (solid communication skills, emotional intelligence, a growth mindset, adaptability, and a strong work ethic) and valuable hard skills (computer skills or proficiency in various languages).
Here are five reasons why hiring less experienced candidates pays off for your organization in the long run.
Main Takeaways
•Less-experienced candidates have a lot to offer. They may lack job-specific experience, but they may have the hard skills to succeed in your company.
•Prioritizing soft skills (such as a strong work ethic or emotional intelligence) can help organizations find valuable staff members. Companies tend to overlook soft skills in favor of hard skills or relevant work experience. Many hard skills are teachable, whereas valuable soft skills may be difficult to find.
•Hiring less-experienced candidates allow companies to usher in a culture change. More experienced employees may be “set in their ways.” These employees might hinder a culture shift.
Reason #1: A lack of experience does not mean a lack of skills
There are various reasons why a candidate lacks experience. For instance, they may be young and recently out of school, or they may be older and going through a career change.
A lack of job experience does not mean a lack of skills. Everyone has skills to bring to the table. The key is identifying individuals with the skillset needed to perform the job.
Younger candidates may lack working experience but possess valuable skills learned through internships, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work. Companies must, therefore, look beyond traditional work experience to see other areas where a younger candidate may have gained valuable skills.
Older candidates, particularly those going through a career change, may have a wealth of experience in other areas that translate well into a new job or career field. The challenge then becomes finding candidates with the appropriate skill set for the position.
Reason #2: Some positions do not require specific experience
Virtually all companies have positions that do not require specific experience. While some of these positions are entry-level, others may be higher up the chain. For instance, so-called generalist positions typically demand a basic skill set. A less-experienced candidate may be a good fit even though they may require some initial training.
Any corporation can set up a training program to train younger and less-experienced candidates. This type of program is effective as it draws from a potentially unlimited talent pool and aims to find the right placement for less-experienced individuals. Training talented individuals is a good idea considering that most younger candidates are eager for an opportunity to show what they can do.
Please remember that less experienced candidates can bring valuable soft skills to the table. Soft skills such as a strong work ethic or emotional intelligence are rather difficult to teach. Skills that often stem from life experience and one’s innate personal characteristics. Thus, companies can forego teachable hard skills and hire less-experienced candidates based on a strong soft skill set. Focusing on soft skills is generally the best way to ensure that a candidate matches up well with the organization’s overall values and vision.
Reason #3: Inexperienced candidates are a blank canvas
Younger and less-experienced candidates do not come with the baggage that older and more experienced candidates may have. More senior candidates may be set in their ways. As a result, they might have habits that do not mesh well with your company’s culture, which may require training to unwind and subsequently replace with new ones.
In contrast, younger and less-experienced workers are far more willing to learn your company’s culture. Consequently, less-experienced individuals can easily mold their attitudes and actions into your organization’s system. This approach allows you to ensure that your staff adheres to your company’s vision.
Reason #4: Facilitating change through candidates with less experience
There are times when companies need to rebuild their culture and philosophy. This task may be quite difficult with older staff members set in their ways. Younger and less-experienced candidates could be ideal due to their fresh mindset.
As your company develops younger staff members, a new paradigm can take hold which must focus on correcting negative attitudes and habits. Less-experienced candidates have the chance to contribute new ideas and perspectives into an established business. This approach is particularly useful when established companies need to shake things up in order to jumpstart stalling innovation.
Reason #5: Less-experienced candidates deserve an opportunity
Everyone has something to contribute, though no one can contribute meaningfully unless they get a chance. There is a wealth of talented individuals out there despite their lack of so-called relevant work experience.
Please bear in mind this approach is not about hiring less-experienced candidates for the sake of doing so. This approach requires companies to find less-experienced candidates whose attitudes and mindsets match the company’s core values and philosophy. From there, meshing the company’s vision with a candidate’s attitude can lead to a winning combination.
You will never know just how valuable and talented less-experienced candidates can be unless you give them a chance.
Conclusion
Hiring less-experienced candidates give companies access to a seemingly vast talent pool. These individuals have skillsets that can meaningfully contribute to any company’s success. However, inexperienced candidates’ unfair paradigm limits companies’ willingness to hire younger, less-experienced candidates.
Please bear in mind that older but less-experienced candidates bring a wealth of knowledge and experience (especially those transitioning from an unrelated career path) to the table. As a result, your business can significantly benefit from bringing such individuals into the fold and may be better off giving a talented candidate an opportunity.
How Can Simply Biotech Help You Find Talented Candidates?
At Simply Biotech, we’re experts at matching the right people with the right companies. We know what it takes to be successful in any given position. Let us become your trusted partner in finding the best candidates for your company.
If you’re ready to bring in less-experienced candidates into your organization, Simply Biotech can facilitate the entire process. Learn more about how Simply Biotech can help you find the right folks for your company today.
This post is made available for informational purposes only to provide a general understanding of the topics discussed herein. It is not intended to provide specific business, legal, or professional advice and should not be relied on as such. Simply Biotech is not liable or responsible for any damage or loss arising from any reliance placed on such materials.
