Employers are missing out on securing potentially ideal staff, by focusing too strongly on inflexible technical requirements, according to recruitment firm Hays Banking.

Hays Banking senior regional director Jane McNeill said rather than maintaining stringent technical skill prerequisites, employers should consider the cultural fit of a potential employee. This includes their fit with the existing team, affinity with the company’s values and way it does business and their potential in order to open a vacancy to a wider pool of suitable candidates.

“Many of the technical skills required for roles, particularly entry-level roles, can be taught,” she said.

“For roles that require particular industry experience, the unique characteristics of that particular industry can be taught and should not prevent the employment of a candidate who is otherwise the most suitable person for the role, has solid experience, suits the company, and who can become a highly valued asset with a little technical training.”

According to McNeill, soft skills such as communication, initiative and ambition, integrity and customer service skill were all “good indications of how a candidate is likely to succeed in a role and fit in with the business culture”.