Hard Skills: Identify and assess technical skills

Hard Skills are essential technical skills to occupy a specific position. They allow candidates to demonstrate their mastery in a particular field, thus facilitating the recruitment process for recruiters.

What are hard skills?

Definition of hard skills

These are measurable and specific technical skills to a profession. They are generally acquired through experience, vocational training or certifications. Unlike soft skills, hard skills are easily evaluable and demonstrable through tests, diplomas or concrete achievements.

What differences between Hard Skills and Soft Skills?

Hard skills are distinguished from soft skills by their technical and specific nature. Hard Skills concern the knowledge, know-how and practical capacities necessary to accomplish precise tasks. Soft skills include behavioral and interpersonal skills that facilitate interaction within the team and with customers. Thus, controlling a programming language or social networks is a hard skill, when stress management is a soft skill.

What is the importance of Hard Skills in recruitment?

These skills are crucial during recruitment because they guarantee that the candidate has the technical skills necessary to accomplish the required tasks. They also allow recruiters to effectively filter applications and quickly identify profiles corresponding to the requirements of the position. In a world of competitive work, hard skills represent a major asset to stand out.

How to assess the hard skills of your candidates?

There are a large number of effective methods:

• Practical tests : Administer specific exercises related to the position. For a developer, offer a live coding challenge or a task to be performed on a relevant programming language like Python or Java. This makes it possible to directly measure the candidate's technical mastery.
• Case studies : Present real scenarios that the candidate could meet in his role. This allows, among other things, to assess its time management and its resistance to stress. For example, ask a project manager to plan a project using a tool like Microsoft Project or Asana, which assesses its ability to manage complex projects.
• Verification of certifications and diplomas : make sure that the candidate has the certifications or diplomas required for the position. For example, a PMP certification for a project manager or a Cisco certification for a network specialist.
• Portfolios and previous projects : Ask candidates to present previous projects or a portfolio, especially for design or digital marketing professions. This offers tangible proof of their technical skills and their professional experience.
• Technical interviews : conduct in -depth interviews focused on specific technical skills. Ask detailed questions about the technologies and tools that candidates have used in their professional career. Also question them about the technical challenges they encountered and how they overcome them.
• Work simulations : Organize simulations where the candidate must perform a real task linked to the position. For example, a financial analyst could be invited to analyze a set of financial data and to present his conclusions.

Using a tool like Marvin Recruiter makes it possible to structure these assessments effectively, by integrating specific tests and suitable evaluation strategies.

What are the different categories of Hard Skills?

Here are some examples of Hard Skills:

Technical skills & IT

The technical skills in IT include control of programming languages ​​such as Python, Java, or C ++. For example, a web developer should be able to use frameworks like React or Angular to create dynamic applications. In the field of engineering, knowledge of design software like Autocad or Solidworks is essential.

Linguistic skills

The mastery of several foreign languages ​​is a precious hard skill, especially in international companies. For example, a project manager in the digital marketing sector must be able to communicate effectively in English to collaborate with international teams and foreign customers.

Analytical skills

Analytical skills include the ability to interpret data, to carry out statistical analyzes and to make decisions based on quantitative information. A financial analyst, for example, must be able to handle databases and use software like Excel or Table to create detailed reports.

Digital Marketing Skills

In the field of digital marketing, technical skills include mastering tools for managing advertising campaigns, SEO/SEM, and web analysis. For example, a SEO specialist must know the natural referencing techniques and be able to use tools like Google Analytics and Semrush to optimize the classification of websites.

Design & Creation Skills

They include mastery of graphic creation software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign. A graphic designer must be able to create attractive visuals for advertising campaigns, websites or marketing media. In the product design sector, the ability to use prototyping tools is also essential.

Financial skills

They include control of accounting software, budget management, and financial analysis. An accountant must be able to use software like QuickBooks or SAP to manage the finances of a company, while ensuring compliance with tax regulations.

Project management skills

Project management requires tool control like Microsoft Project, Asana or Trello. A project manager must be able to plan, execute and close projects while respecting deadlines and budgets. Knowledge of Agile or Scrum methodologies is also a major asset.

Industrial skills

In the industrial sector, technical skills include knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment maintenance, and the use of production management software. A production engineer must master tools like SAP to optimize workflows and guarantee the effectiveness of operations.

Administrative skills

Administrative skills include documents management, meeting meetings, and the use of office automation software such as Microsoft Office. An administrative assistant must be able to manage daily tasks effectively, while maintaining a rigorous organization.

Legal skills

Legal skills include knowledge of laws and regulations specific to a sector. A business lawyer must be able to interpret and apply labor laws, commercial regulations and contracts to protect the interests of the company.

Skills in talent management

Talent management skills and succession planning to anticipate future employment needs and prepare for the integration of new employees. For example, a manager in provisional management of jobs and skills must identify the key skills necessary for the future development of the company and consequently plan recruitments and training.

Detect the key skills with an intelligent profile analysis

Thanks to Marvin Recruit, recruiters can use advanced tools to assess and identify the key skills of candidates. Our SaaS software incorporates features such as talent management, skills analysis, and skills mapping. It allows a precise and effective assessment of the technical skills of candidates.

Using artificial intelligence algorithms, Marvin Recruiting can analyze profiles of candidates in depth, highlighting the relevant technical skills and facilitating decision -making for recruiters. This reduces recruitment time and increase the quality of hires.

To find out how Marvin Recruité can transform your recruitment process, consult our page dedicated to HR maintenance or visit our page on the features of Marvin Recruit.

Hard Skills are essential technical skills to occupy a specific position. They allow recruiters to assess the capacity of candidates to accomplish the required tasks and to integrate effectively within the team. Marvin Recruiter offers advanced tools to identify, assess and enhance these skills, thus optimizing your recruitment process.

FAQ: Your questions about Hard Skills

The most requested hard skills

The most requested hard skills vary depending on the sector and the position. In the field of computer science, control of programming languages ​​such as Python, Java and C ++ is much sought after. For positions in digital marketing, SEO/SEM skills, advertising campaigns and web analysis are essential.

In the financial sector, control of accounting software and financial analysis are very popular. In engineering, knowledge of design software like Autocad or Solidworks is essential. These technical skills allow employers to ensure that candidates have the necessary qualifications to accomplish the specific tasks of the position.

How to translate Hard Skills in a CV?

To effectively translate hard skills into a CV, it is important to list them in a specific section entitled "Technical Skills" or "Hard Skills". Use relevant keywords related to the position to optimize your application for recruiters. For example, mention skills such as "Python and Java mastery", "PMP certification in project management", or "SEO/SEM expertise".

Also provide concrete examples of the application of these skills in your past professional experiences. For example, "Development of web applications using React and Angular", or "Management of advertising campaigns with Google Ads and Semrush". This makes it possible to demonstrate the mastery and added value of your Hard Skills to employers.

What are the Mad Skills?

The "Mad Skills" designate exceptional or unique skills that distinguish a candidate from others. They can be hard skills or soft skills, but what makes them "Mad" is their rarity and significant impact on professional performance.

For example, advanced expertise in artificial intelligence, a mastery of several rare programming languages, or exceptional project management skills are considered "Mad Skills". These skills provide a particular added value to the company and can greatly increase the candidate's chances of hiring.