Implementing a new talent management strategy can be daunting. From updating job postings to changing how you screen and hire candidates and adopting new approaches to advancing current employees, it’s hard to figure out where to start.  

That’s why the Rework America Alliance (RAA) developed the Skills-Based Sourcing and Hiring Playbook, a step-by-step guide that lays out the business case for skills-first practices and offers an overview of the main concepts, along with short case studies and tips from leading employers on how to get started. 

A skills-first approach can reduce bias in recruiting and hiring and increase workforce diversity. When employers focus on the actual skills a job requires rather than proxies for skills, like years of experience or degrees that may not really be necessary for a particular role, they can connect with candidates from industries and populations they might otherwise overlook. Skills-first talent management is also a more effective way to fill skills gaps and identify employees who are ready to move ahead in their careers—and retention rates improve when employees know they’ll be recognized for their talents and will have equitable opportunities for advancement. 

The playbook serves as a supplement to the RAA’s other skills-based hiring and talent management resources, including the Skillful Talent Series, a collection of short courses that help employers learn how to implement skills-based strategies.