A single, vital skill is not enough in an ever more keenly competitive job market. More and more, professionals – as are the recruitment firms who seek them out – are using what’s known as “skill stacking” to compete. So, what is skill stacking, and how does it give you an edge in recruitment? Having been on both sides of the hiring process, I can see how skill stacking is, in fact, not just a buzzword but a powerful strategy for one’s advantage- to both job seekers and companies.
What is Skill Stacking?
Skill stacking, or talent stacking, involves combining multiple, often complementary, skills to create unique abilities that will make you stand out. What he calls “skill stacking” is becoming competent in several related fields to create a valuable, multifaceted skill set. So the premise is, that you don’t have to be the best in every field, just good enough in a combination of skills that, when stacked together, make you uniquely qualified. For instance, a digital marketer who has copywriting, SEO, data analysis, and social media strategy skills will be so much more valuable to you than someone who has one of those skills. Stacking multiple abilities creates a much more desirable candidate for many jobs. Statistics show that 75% of employers now consider candidates with diverse skills better than those who specialize in just one thing. In a world where technology is changing fast, and the complexity of the work environment is exponentially increasing, applying various skills to solve new challenges becomes essential.Why Skill Stacking Is Essentially Important in Modern Recruitment
Recruiters and hiring managers always look forward to hiring those who can add more value than one type of technical expertise. The idea behind skill stacking is that the candidate becomes more versatile, adaptable, and able to contribute in many dimensions.- Increased Employability: A person with stacked skills becomes applicable for various job roles or changes according to changing job requirements. For instance, content writers who know basic web development may be able to help the marketing team streamline some of its tasks.
- The ability to improve problem-solving: The more significant the skill selection, the more differing perspectives there will be when facing challenges. For example, a project manager with design thinking skills and an understanding of data analytics will find it easier to traverse creative and technical hurdles.
- Future-Proofing: The job market is changing, and no one can afford to be complacent. Because jobs are increasingly being affected by automation, these stacked-skills professionals are resilient. They can learn new technologies and adapt to new trends without being left behind.
How to Build a Skill Stack
Creating a skill stack takes proactive, intentional work. It is about discovering where those various skills can complement each other and how you will focus on those that create unique value together. Here is the step-by-step approach, starting with an essential first step:- Identify Your Core Skill: Use your central area of expertise. It could be technical, related to programming or writing, any writing, or a myriad of other areas that people have expertise in. This is your core.
- Identify skills that back up your core skill: Once you have identified your core skill, think of highly related skills. For instance, learning UX design or branding strategy might be worthwhile if you are a graphic designer.
- Seek the Gaps: Look at what’s in demand in the job market. You might find that the missing elements in your stack—like project management or data analysis, which has no relation to what you do—are something you have not done but can learn.
- Stay Curious and Keep Learning: The world is constantly changing, and the valuable skills today may not be valuable tomorrow. Keep learning and adding to your stack as new technologies or methods emerge.
Skill Stacking in Recruitment: What Recruiters Should Look For
Recruiters can also benefit from the discovery and deployment of skill-stacking principles during the hiring process. By focusing on applicants with complementary skills, recruiters can find an employee who is truly valuable to the organization.- Look beyond just job titles: Just because he or she doesn’t have the name on the job you are looking for, it doesn’t mean that person is not the right fit. Consider the scope of skills they bring and how they could benefit your team differently than you could anticipate.
- Assess Adaptability: Generally, individuals with stacked skills are versatile because they have had to learn multiple tools and methods. Adaptability is an essential characteristic in fast-moving or fast-changing industries.
- Encourage Growth Mindset: Look for candidates who want to acquire new skills and develop existing ones. This is usually a dead giveaway they are willing to shape and evolve with the company.
Myths Surrounding Skill Stacking
Skill stacking is an extremely useful strategy, though a few myths surround this tactic.- “You Have to Be an Expert in Every Skill”: This is untrue. Skill stacking requires you to be developed in most complementary skills, not necessarily an expert. What defines you is the specific collection of skills you own.
- “Skill Stacking Is Only for Technical Roles”: So that is not true. Sure, it’s helpful to upskill in technical areas if those areas exist, but soft skills can be similarly valuable. Think of a leader with a team-building background who can communicate exceptionally well.
- “Skill Stacking Is Time-Consuming”: The time it takes to learn a skill stack may be overwhelming; however, it doesn’t have to be. Many learn by stacking skills over time, learning one new competency at a time, and gradually building a valuable combination.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is skill stacking?
Skill stacking refers to proficiency in several complementary skills, making you a uniquely valuable candidate.How does skill stacking improve employability?
Skill stacking makes you adaptable, versatile, and able to contribute to multiple company areas, thus increasing your value as a potential hire.Can anyone stack skills?
Anyone can build a skill stack. It requires learning and identifying complementary skills that enhance your core abilities.
Key Takeaways
In a fast-changing job market, just the way it is, more than one skill is now required. Using skill stacking, professionals can make a difference by allowing them to develop more than one competency into something unique and precious. Here are three key takeaways.- Versatility is key: The skill-stacking approach requires versatility, which makes you flexible and valuable across roles and provides you with an edge in the highly competitive job market.
- Keep Learning Open: New skills keep you relevant and future-proof your career, especially as industries evolve.
- More Things for Recruiters to Look For: Finding candidates with diverse skills could make it much easier for recruiters to decide on flexible, innovative, and adaptable hires.
recruitninjas
Cynthia David is a Principal Product Marketing Manager for Adobe Document Cloud, focusing on Acrobat, Acrobat Sign, and Acrobat Services. She has background in messaging, marketing campaigns, communications, social media, events, content marketing, and partnerships. She is passionate about understanding customer needs and connecting with customers.