Skills Over CVs: The UK’s Shift to Competency-Based Hiring

Nathan Calcutt
Apr 17
3 min read

Updated: Apr 24

Discover how UK employers are redefining recruitment in 2025—focusing on practical skills, not paper qualifications.

CVs with portraits and text are arranged on a colorful background. Some have green checkmarks, others have red Xs indicating selection.

Skills Over CVs: The UK’s Shift to Competency-Based Hiring

Hello, hiring heroes and career climbers! If you've been scanning job boards or sourcing new talent lately, you've probably noticed something major: skills are stealing the spotlight from traditional qualifications. In 2025, the UK job market is embracing skills-based hiring like never before. Whether you're an employer trying to fill tricky roles or a candidate wondering how to stand out without a fancy degree, this guide is your new best friend. Let's explore how skills-first recruitment is changing the game.

1. What is Skills-Based Hiring, Really?

Skills-based hiring is a recruitment strategy that prioritises practical competencies and performance over academic qualifications or job titles. It's not about where you've been—it's about what you can do.

For Employers:

Ditch the checkbox mentality of “must have a degree.”
Focus on what success looks like in the role, then assess for that.

For Candidates:

Lead with your skills and results.
Use clear, measurable examples in your CV and cover letter.

2. Why Is This Happening Now?

Several forces are driving this trend in the UK:

Digital transformation has created new jobs without standardised degree paths.
Talent shortages have pushed employers to think more creatively.
Equity and diversity goals encourage opening doors to non-traditional candidates.

Plus, platforms like LinkedIn, GitHub, and even TikTok are helping candidates show what they can do, not just what they’ve studied.

3. How Employers Can Implement Skills-Based Hiring

If you’re an employer ready to modernise your recruitment:

Create competency frameworks for each role.
Use skills assessments, simulations, and job trials.
Train hiring managers on how to evaluate skills objectively.

Top UK employers like Google and PwC have already moved toward skills-based assessments in their early career and tech hiring pipelines.

4. What Candidates Should Do Differently

If you’re a job seeker, here’s how to make the most of this shift:

Build a skills portfolio—projects, code samples, videos, presentations.
Highlight real-world results ("increased traffic by 40%", "cut costs by 25%").
Upskill with online certifications—think Coursera, Google Grow, or FutureLearn.

5. Busting the Bias Around Degrees

Let’s be honest—academic elitism is still out there. But attitudes are changing fast:

Studies show that degree requirements disproportionately exclude diverse candidates.
A skills-first approach levels the playing field and encourages true meritocracy.

Forward-thinking employers are dropping degree filters to access a broader, more capable talent pool.

6. How Tech Is Making Skills Visible

Thanks to digital innovation, showcasing skills has never been easier:

AI-powered CV parsers now read for competencies, not just keywords.
Video interviews assess communication and problem-solving skills in real time.
Digital credentials and badges make upskilling easy to verify.

Final Thoughts: Capability Is the New Currency

Skills-based hiring isn't just a passing phase—it's a smarter, more inclusive way to match people with opportunity. Employers gain access to untapped talent, and candidates without traditional paths get a fair shot. Whether you're hiring or applying, the message is clear in 2025: Show us what you can do, not just what you’ve done.

And remember—if you're unsure where to start, I'm always here as your friendly recruiter guide. Let’s help the UK job market become fairer, faster, and more focused on what really matters: your skills.