Skills-First Hiring Vs. Educational Requirements

How effective have each of the following been in helping your organization attract and hire the most successful candidates?

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SOURCE: THE SKILLS-FIRST MOVEMENT: REDEFINING HOW ORGANIZATIONS HIRE AND GROW, SHRM, 2026. VISIT SHRM.ORG/RESEARCH TO LEARN MORE.

Results are based on responses from 1,122 supervisors and 883 HR professionals at organizations who sometimes, often, or almost always use skills-first practices in their hiring strategies, and 1,218 supervisors and 1,121 HR professionals who reported having educational requirements in their job postings.