In Ireland's fast-paced tech job market, employers are under growing pressure to refine their hiring strategies. With the demand for skilled tech professionals consistently outpacing supply, many Irish tech companies are beginning to challenge the traditional CV-based evaluation model. Instead, they are shifting towards a more holistic, skills-focused approach to identifying top talent.
The Problem with CV-First Hiring
CVs have long been the standard entry point for candidates, but they often fall short in accurately reflecting a person's capabilities. In the context of tech jobs in Ireland, where competencies in coding, systems design, cybersecurity, and data science are key, a two-page summary often fails to showcase real-world proficiency.
On top of this, unconscious bias—based on education, employment gaps, or non-linear career paths—can inadvertently filter out exceptional candidates. With the tech sector rapidly evolving, traditional qualifications no longer guarantee that a candidate has the relevant, up-to-date skills needed for today’s challenges.
This issue is particularly evident when companies are seeking to fill specialised roles in areas like machine learning, DevOps, or cloud architecture. A degree from five years ago may not reflect a candidate's present-day fluency with platforms like Kubernetes, AWS, or TensorFlow. Relying solely on a CV can obscure real skills that make a significant difference to a team’s productivity and innovation.
The Rise of Skills-Based Assessment
In response, companies across Ireland are implementing alternative assessment methods that provide a clearer picture of what candidates can actually do. According to a 2024 survey by the Irish Tech Industry Association (ITIA), 61% of tech firms now incorporate technical assessments or project-based evaluations during the hiring process.
These may include:
- Coding challenges on platforms like HackerRank or Codility
- Take-home projects tailored to the company’s tech stack
- Pair programming sessions
- Case studies simulating real business problems
- Behavioural interviews focused on problem-solving and collaboration
This trend is particularly prominent among startups and scale-ups in Dublin, Cork, and Galway, where competition for software developers, DevOps engineers, and data analysts is especially fierce. Larger firms like multinational consultancies and enterprise software providers are also increasingly blending traditional methods with real-time technical assessments to better filter top performers.
In addition to helping recruiters make smarter hiring decisions, these assessments often give candidates a better sense of the actual work they would be doing. This can improve alignment between employer expectations and employee contributions, reducing the risk of early attrition.
A Fairer, More Inclusive Process
Skills-based hiring offers several benefits. First, it levels the playing field for candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those who are self-taught or have transitioned into tech from other industries. It also opens doors for international talent seeking tech jobs in Ireland, where familiarity with local education systems may be limited.
Take, for example, a candidate who has completed an intensive coding bootcamp or who has built open-source contributions to widely used frameworks. While their CV might not carry the same weight as someone from a traditional computer science programme, a skills-based assessment allows them to demonstrate their practical expertise in real time.
Additionally, this model can support efforts to close the gender gap in tech. Research from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows that women make up just 25% of Ireland’s tech workforce. Skills-based evaluations can reduce the impact of bias in hiring decisions and offer fairer chances to underrepresented groups.
More importantly, it helps companies make more informed decisions. Hiring managers report that skills-based evaluation leads to better job performance, faster onboarding, and improved retention rates. As the same ITIA report notes, 74% of companies using these methods saw improved new-hire success rates within the first six months.
The Role of Technology in Skills-Based Hiring
Technology is playing an important role in transforming how Irish tech companies assess talent. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) with integrated assessment features allow employers to set up automated challenges or video responses. AI-driven tools are also helping to analyse soft skills through structured interviews and behavioural pattern recognition.
In addition, platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and LinkedIn’s skill verification features are increasingly used by recruiters to vet candidates' real-world engagement and contributions. Rather than relying on written descriptions of experience, hiring teams can see code quality, collaboration style, and peer recognition.
However, it's crucial that technology is used as an enabler, not a replacement, for human judgment. A hybrid approach—balancing automated assessments with human-led evaluation—tends to yield the best results.
What Employers Can Do Next
To adapt to this new paradigm, Irish tech companies should:
- Reevaluate their job descriptions to focus on outcomes and skills, not degrees
- Introduce standardised skills assessments early in the funnel
- Train interviewers to assess technical and soft skills objectively
- Use structured scorecards to reduce bias in decision-making
- Leverage data to continuously refine their assessment models
Employers may also consider partnering with recruitment specialists who understand the nuances of skills-based hiring and can help streamline the process. Agencies like Software Placements are already working with clients to modernise hiring workflows and identify high-potential candidates based on verified skills, not assumptions.
As tech jobs in Ireland continue to evolve, so too must the methods used to fill them. Moving beyond the CV is no longer just a progressive idea—it’s a necessary step for companies that want to compete for the best talent. By focusing on what candidates can do, not just what they’ve done, employers are building stronger, more resilient teams ready for the challenges of tomorrow.
With competition heating up and technology transforming the recruitment landscape, companies that embrace skills-first hiring will be better positioned to thrive. Whether you're a hiring manager looking to modernise your approach or a candidate hoping to stand out, the future of hiring in Ireland is less about where you've been—and more about what you can do.
Looking to improve your tech hiring strategy in Ireland?Contact Software Placements today for expert guidance on implementing skills-based hiring solutions.