Skills vs. experience: Which is more important when seeking new talent?

Employers have prerequisites when sourcing new talent. They are often based on the person's skills or experience in the field. But which is more important? 

Skills and experience come hand in hand. A large skill set can sound impressive, but it only holds value if it can be applied to a specific job. Experience using those skills successfully is what provides a positive outcome. That’s not to say that one can’t be effective without the other. Everyone is capable of upskilling and building experience if they invest in themselves.

As an employer, you may be faced with candidates who offer a different balance of skills and experience.

Skills but no experience

A large skill set provides more strings to the bow. However, skills are only valuable if they can be applied to the job, which comes with experience. 

A skilled person may be an indication of an all-rounder who can dip into multiple roles and tasks. They are more likely to be job-ready, which makes life easier and less risky for you, as they may not require as much time for training and development. 

Having little to no prior work experience is not always a disadvantage. It can make the person more adaptable. Having prior experience might influence a person’s way of working, which may need to be changed to align with your way of working.

Experience but no related skills

Talent with work experience is valuable. Someone with relevant experience may provide insight from other industry players or bring new ideas you can adopt.

Soft skills develop naturally and are the foundations for a solid worker. Talent might possess excellent soft skills that will benefit your team, like effective communication or sound time management. Hard skills add value if they can be applied to the job, but they can be developed through courses and programs if you’re willing to invest in your people. Experience, however, is something you can’t buy. 

Even with decades of experience and a fully equipped skill set, there’s always more to learn, especially with emerging technologies and new ways of thinking. People have to keep upskilling to keep up with competitors.

There are many successful people who have achieved great things without prior skills or education, including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Oprah. Richard Branson is an example who prides himself on achieving career goals without prior qualifications or skills. His approach is to hire based on character, life experiences and unique skills, along with passion and values. He left school at 15 and learned everything from real-world experience. 

In contrast, here is an example of how skills can outweigh experience. Founder of Hustlr and business consultant Daniel Abrahams is older than Harry Styles and therefore more experienced in singing, but that doesn’t mean he has better skills.

Credit: Daniel Abrahams

Skills and experience come hand in hand. But are they the most important attribute for new talent?

The most important attribute of a valuable employee

Experience using those skills successfully provides the best outcomes. With the right balance of both skills and experience, you’ve found good talent.

Skills and experience are important, but work ethic may trump the lot. Someone with a great work ethic is committed to working to their full potential. They are prepared to invest the time and effort in themselves to upskill and gain the experience to improve their work. With the right attitude and mindset, talent with little to no skills or experience can advance quickly, depending on the support and investment you provide.

Wrapping up

Choose talent based not only on what they can currently offer your organisation but on the potential they have in the future of your business. Armed with the curiosity to learn more and the dedication to make it happen, the freshest employee could become the newest expert in the industry. 

Looking to hire top talent? Contact the Heart Talent team today.