The World Economic Forum names critical thinking and problem-solving among the top most sought-after skills in the workplace.
Therefore, despite employers' continued focus on qualifications, experience, and technical skills when recruiting new employees, we cannot ignore what lies beyond a traditional degree or diploma: critical thinking and problem-solving and the ability to apply those skills to the workplace.
Problem-Solving Explained
When seeking problem-solving capabilities in potential hires, it's essential to understand what this skill encompasses. As industry experts define it: "Problem-solving, interchangeably used with the term 'critical thinking,' is the process of identifying problems, analysing their causes and associated data, brainstorming ideas, and evaluating solutions. Problem-solving requires some initiative, because the answers may not always be visible on the surface."
Why Hire for Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving in the Workplace
Markets evolve, technology advances, and unexpected challenges arise. Employees who think critically can analyse situations, assess risks, and make well-informed decisions, helping businesses stay agile. This ability to think critically and solve complex problems is a fundamental skill set that distinguishes exceptional talent from the competent. Understanding and evaluating these cognitive capabilities is essential for organisations looking to enhance their future talent strategies.
Hiring for Skills
According to NACE's "Job Outlook 2023 Report," more than 60% of employers seek evidence of problem-solving skills when evaluating candidates. Another study indicates that 69.6% of employers consider critical thinking a significant indicator of success on the job.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills represent an employee's capacity to analyse situations, identify challenges, evaluate possible solutions, and implement effective strategies.
The transferable nature of problem-solving skills makes them particularly valuable in any industry as they apply to various roles and challenges. Therefore, problem-solving is not confined to specific professions, meaning employers benefit from workers who can adjust their approach to different scenarios and contribute to overall efficiency in the workplace. Their ability to analyse a situation and implement a practical solution remains relevant.
Strong critical thinking capabilities provide lasting value, unlike specific technical skills that may become obsolete as technology evolves.
How to Practically Test Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills in Candidates
How do you, as an SME employer, go beyond a CV to assess whether a candidate has the essential skills of critical thinking and problem-solving?
Here are some ideas that RecruitMyMom uses in our interview processes:
1. Analytical Thinking: Breaking Down Complexity
Employees with good analytical skills can sift through complex information, identify patterns, and make logical sense of a situation.
How to test it:
- Case Study Exercises: Present candidates with a real business scenario, such as a sudden drop in sales or an operational bottleneck. Ask them to identify the root cause and outline their thought process.
- Data Interpretation: Provide a set of business metrics or financial figures and ask candidates to identify key insights and suggest actions based on the data.
SME Tip: If you don’t have formal case studies, use a real challenge your business has faced and ask the candidate how they would have tackled it.
2. Critical Reasoning: Making Smart, Informed Decisions
Critical reasoning involves questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence, and making well-founded decisions. This skill is vital in roles that involve strategy, finance, operations, or customer interactions.
How to Assess It:
- Scenario-Based Questions: Ask candidates how they would handle a difficult decision - for example, how they would respond to a key supplier suddenly increasing prices.
- Debate a Business Dilemma: Present a controversial business issue (e.g., "Should a company prioritise cost-cutting or customer experience during tough times?") and evaluate how the candidate constructs their argument.
SME Tip: Encourage candidates to explain their reasoning, not just give a yes/no answer. This will help you gauge their ability to think critically under pressure.
3. Creative Problem-Solving: Finding New Ways to Win
Innovation often stems from creative problem-solving—especially in SMEs where resources are tight, and teams must think outside the box to stay competitive.
How to Assess Creative Problem Solving:
- Problem-Solving Challenge: Give candidates a scenario where a traditional solution has failed - such as a marketing campaign that didn’t deliver results—and ask them to suggest ways they would approach it.
- Reverse Thinking: Ask, “If you had to intentionally make this problem worse, how would you do it?” Then, flip it and ask for solutions. This can highlight their ability to view challenges from multiple angles.
SME Tip: Look for candidates who see opportunities within problems—this is a good indicator of resilience and adaptability.
4. Logical Reasoning: Making Sense of Information
Logical reasoning ensures that employees draw valid conclusions from available data and recognise when further information is needed before making decisions.
How to test logical reasoning:
- Pattern Recognition Tests: These can be formal (e.g., logical reasoning assessments) or informal (e.g., "Here’s a set of customer complaints—what trends do you notice?").
- Hypothetical Situations: Give a scenario like "Your company’s website traffic has dropped by 30% overnight. What steps would you take to diagnose and address the issue?"
SME Tip: Watch for how well candidates structure their responses. A logical thinker will approach the problem methodically rather than jumping to conclusions.
The Competitive Advantage of Hiring for Skills
SME’s that successfully recruit and develop employees with excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills gain significant advantages:
- They adapt more quickly to market changes and emerging challenges, positioning themselves ahead of competitors who struggle with innovation and responsiveness.
- They experience lower costs associated with errors and inefficiencies, as employees can identify potential issues before they become critical problems.
- They benefit from continuous improvement, as team members regularly identify opportunities to enhance processes, products, and services through applied reasoning.
- They develop more robust succession planning, with employees who can grow into increasingly complex roles requiring sophisticated decision-making and strategic thinking.
The ability to think critically and solve problems creatively in the workplace has never been more valuable. By prioritising these skills in recruitment processes, no matter the skill, and developing them systematically throughout the organisation, employers can build teams equipped for today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities.
The most successful organisations recognise that in an age where information and technology are widely accessible, human critical thinking and problem-solving are vital for future sustainability and success.
RecruitMyMom has seen that a flexible working model benefits companies by attracting and retaining highly skilled staff, especially women who value employers with a regard for work-life integration and a flexible work arrangement.
