Every business is talking about the skills gap, but is it really a shortage of talent, or are we simply looking in the wrong places?
At Anna Maher Recruitment we hear both sides every day — candidates saying they can’t get a foot in the door, and employers saying they can’t find the right people. Somewhere between those two frustrations lies the real problem: a lack of imagination in how we identify and develop talent.
What are skills Gaps?
So, what are skills gaps in your job or recruitment search? Or, more accurately, what do we believe they are?
Skills gap is the perceived disparity between a set of skills that a business requires and those presented by a potential candidate. This misalignment can often become the unscalable wall between finding the right candidate for a role and fulfilling that position, and the recruitment processes staying frozen in time. But could this perceived 'skills gap' be holding your team back from discovering their next superstar employee? Afterall, what are skills gaps if not an opportunity for growth?
The Changing Shape of Talent
The world of work has transformed more in the last five years than in the previous two decades. Technology has advances, industries have evolved, and new roles are appearing all the time. Yet, many job descriptions look almost identical to those written ten years ago.
When companies cling to traditional checklists - “must have five years’ experience,” “must have used X software,” “must have worked in Y industry” - they often overlook people with transferable skills who could bring fresh energy, new thinking, and adaptability. This is where employers may be being held back by the 'skills gap myth'.
Why Recruiters See Skills Gaps Differently
As recruiters, we see first-hand how powerful it can be when employers take a chance on potential, not just experience. A retail manager who becomes a top-performing account manager. A teacher who transitions into learning and development. A graduate who thrives in sales after being turned away elsewhere.
This happens in recruitment too. Many companies overlook candidates from other sales backgrounds because they haven’t worked in recruitment before. Yet those same candidates often bring the perfect mix of relationship-building, communication and resilience that make them successful in the long run.
At Anna Maher Recruitment, this is exactly why we specialise in Rec2Rec. We know how to spot potential and see beyond the CV, helping businesses find people who can grow with them.
What Businesses Can Do
Focus on potential, not perfection. Hire for attitude, problem-solving, and adaptability. You can teach the rest.
Rethink your job ads. Replace rigid requirements, describe what success looks like in the first 6 months.
Partner with recruiters who think differently. Boutique agencies (like us!) can take the time to really understand both the role and the person — we don’t just tick boxes.
If you are looking for a partner in overcoming the skills gap myth and unlock new talent, you're in the perfect place. Anna Maher Recruitment. We specialise in bridging the gap between exceptional talent and inspiring companies, and we are waiting to here from you! Get in touch with Anna Maher Recruitment team today.
The Future Belongs to the Flexible
In a world driven by change, the most successful companies will be those that value adaptability and train for skill.
The truth is that the talent is out there. It’s not a lack of people holding businesses back – it’s a lack of imagination in how we find and nurture them.