Competency First — The Skills That Matter Most in Early Talent Hiring
Hiring based on degrees? It’s time for a new playbook.
The future of hiring is skills-first. Nonprofits that shift away from traditional credentials and focus on competencies can unlock untapped potential, increase equity, and build stronger teams.
Talogy’s research identifies the top competencies for early career success:
Problem Solving
Communication
Teamwork
Critical Thinking
Adaptability
These align with the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report (2023), which highlights these as essential for navigating disruption and change.
Why It Matters
Higher education isn’t always a proxy for readiness. Competency-based hiring helps nonprofits:
Diversify their talent pool
Build agile, collaborative teams
Predict performance better than resumes alone
LinkedIn’s 2023 Learning Report notes that 89% of L&D professionals believe building skills is key to future success. That includes hiring for them, too. Your hiring strategy and your approach for evaluating talent should be friends, not enemies.
Take Action: Operationalize Competency-Based Hiring
Conduct a Job Analysis
Interview top performers to identify which competencies drive outcomes in your org.Design Structured, Behavioral Interviews
Ask: “Tell me about a time you had to solve a problem with limited resources.” And seriously, let’s leave, “tell me about your weaknesses” in the past.Use Simulations and Job Trials
Invite candidates to complete a mini-project, such as writing a donor letter or planning an event outline. Also, don’t take advantage—candidates don’t work for you yet, any simulation should be limited in scope.Train Hiring Managers to Reduce Bias
Teach them to spot skills and potential, not just degrees or professional polish. Think about what makes people on your team successful and look to replicate that in your search. Being teachable and full of grit and hustle is worth more than you think!
Final Thought
When you hire for capability—not credentials—you find diamonds in the rough who are ready to shine.
➡️ Partner with Fortress Coaching + Consulting to build your early career hiring strategy.