The Rise of Skills-Based Hiring: What It Means for Job Seekers in 2025
According to a 2025 report by the CIPD, a striking 83% of UK employers are now prioritising skills-based hiring over traditional qualifications. Backed by C&C Search’s own Hiring Trends & Salary Survey 2025, the shift is clear: employers are increasingly focused on what candidates can do, rather than where they went to university or the letters after their name.
So what does this mean for today’s job seekers?
Skills Over CV Status
Gone are the days when a degree alone opened doors. In 2025, it’s your skills toolkit, and your ability to demonstrate it, that will set you apart. From Executive Assistants to HR professionals, hiring managers are looking for candidates who can hit the ground running, think on their feet and adapt to fast-paced environments.
How Candidates Can Upskill
If you’re actively job hunting, or planning a move this year, it’s the perfect time to take control of your professional development. Here’s how:
Identify in-demand skills: Look at job descriptions in your field. What tools, software or soft skills come up again and again? Whether it’s project management, CRM systems or data analysis, start there.
Prioritise digital literacy: Familiarity with AI tools, remote collaboration platforms, and cloud-based systems is no longer a “nice to have”.
Level up your soft skills: Communication, emotional intelligence and time management remain essential, especially for Business Support roles where relationship-building is key.
How to Highlight Your Skills
Knowing your skills is one thing, but knowing how to present them is just as crucial. Here’s how to make your skillset shine:
CV & Application: Use bullet points under each role to showcase key achievements. Lead with action verbs and include measurable outcomes. For example, “Streamlined diary management for 3 directors, reducing scheduling conflicts by 40%.”
Skills Section: Don’t underestimate this part of your CV. Highlight both hard and soft skills in a concise, tailored list.
Interview Prep: Be ready with stories. Employers want examples of how you’ve used your skills to solve real-world challenges. Use the STAR method to structure your responses.
Enter: C&C Academy
At C&C Search, we don’t just help you find a job—we help you grow into the job you want. That’s where the C&C Academy comes in.
Our Academy is a dedicated training platform for Executive Assistants, Office Managers, HR professionals, and Business Support talent. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to step into a leadership role, we offer:
Free online courses to boost your CV
CPD-accredited workshops to stay ahead of industry trends
Webinars and in-person events to connect with peers and experts
Exclusive member-only discounts and insights to keep your learning journey affordable and accessible
Join C&C Academy Membership, is the only platform designed specifically for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, and business support professionals, that combines Career Development, Coaching and Community to help you thrive.
The Takeaway
The hiring landscape is evolving fast, but if you focus on building, refining and showcasing your skills, 2025 could be your most successful year yet. Let your experience speak for itself, stay curious, and let C&C Search and C&C Academy support your journey every step of the way.
