In episode 159, Coffey talks with Mark Smith about employers’ shift towards skills-first hiring. They discuss the evolution of applicant evaluation to skills-first hiring; the diminishing relevance of college degrees in hiring; the importance of soft skills in employee retention; the process of developing a skills-based hiring approach; the use of assessments and structured interviews in hiring; preventing cheating in skills assessments; and the ethical considerations of candidate projects or role-play assessments.

Mark Smith best-selling book  “A Better Choice: The Manager’s Guide to Skills-First Hiring.”  https://a.co/d/hTK228B

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About our Guest:

Mark Smith, Ph.D., is a distinguished HR expert and the Principal Consultant at A Better Choice Hire, specializing in candidate assessments. He is the author of the recent best-selling book, “A Better Choice: The Manager’s Guide to Skills-First Hiring.”

With a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of South Florida, Mark has dedicated his career to advancing hiring practices and talent management strategies. Named one of the top 50 HR Professionals and Leaders of 2024, he also serves on the Advisory Board for Xobin.

Mark's innovative approaches to candidate assessment and his extensive experience in HR assessments and validation have earned him a reputation as a leader in the field. He presented expert testimony about skills-based hiring to the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce and has collaborated with the National Academy of Science on the future of work.

In addition to his consulting work with various organizations, Mark has made significant contributions to HR research and certification exams for HR professionals. His primary focus is helping companies stay competitive by hiring the right people.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mark is also an accomplished ballroom dancer alongside his wife, Kira. They have reached the Gold level at Arthur Murray Dance and have performed in the Nutcracker and Don Quixote with the Virginia Ballet Company. Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Mark brings a unique blend of scientific rigor, creative problem-solving, and passion for human potential to all his endeavors.

Mark Smith can be reached at

www.abetterchoicehire.com

www.linkedin.com/in/mark-smith-ph-d-1776201a8

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Implement a skills-first hiring approach that focuses on evaluating candidates' actual abilities rather than relying solely on credentials or experience.

2. Develop structured interview processes and utilize appropriate assessment tools to effectively measure both technical and soft skills.

3. Design ethical and time-efficient methods for final candidate evaluation, such as brief role-play assessments, to make informed hiring 
decisions without exploiting candidates' time.