The talent world has all but swooned over skills-based hiring for the past few years. By prioritizing skills, rather than degrees, companies can solve a number of problems: reduce bias, widen talent pools, and address daunting talent shortages.

Yet despite the hype, few companies have put the idea into practice. A recent report by the Burning Glass Institute and Harvard Business School found that even though many companies have removed degree requirements from job postings, they’ve barely moved the needle on hiring people without degrees.

The report suggests that hiring managers are resisting the idea of hiring workers without degrees. But it’s also possible that companies struggle with the nitty-gritty of hiring for skills. That is, what do you ask candidates, how do you assess their skills, and how do you make a good hire?

Much of that comes down to the interview. That’s why we’ve put together five tips on how to conduct a skills-based interview. Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to prepare and what to ask.

1. Identify the skills that are needed for the role

When prepping for a skills-based interview, you need to know: What skills are required for the role?

First, review the job description to get a better understanding of the skills, abilities, and behaviors needed. Next, speak to the hiring manager and ask them to create a comprehensive list of all the skills used in the role. They need to be very specific. Instead of saying, for example, that the role requires “web development skills,” clarify that candidates need to know Python or Java.

Shweta Mogha, instructor of the LinkedIn Learning course Skills-First Interviewing, suggests that you also brush up on your company’s key strategic focus areas. Ask yourself: What customers are my company trying to reach? How does this role impact the business strategy? This information will inform the skills needed for the job.

Be sure to include both technical and soft skills. If the role requires soft skills such as effective communication, leadership, problem-solving, and curiosity, add those to the list.

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