Advantages of Untapped Talent

Untapped talent — also known as the “hidden workforce” — refers to the millions of potential employees who are underrepresented in the workforce and often overlooked for job opportunities.

This group can include:

People with disabilities
People who are neurodiverse
People with justice system involvement
Veterans
Military spouses
Older workers and retirees
People who have been out of the workforce for an extended period, such as stay-at-home parents and family caregivers
People who are underemployed

Many of these individuals have what it takes to succeed and can offer valuable contributions to employers willing to invest in them. Research shows that, far from being an act of charity, hiring from these groups can give companies a distinct advantage.

Here are four reasons to tap into untapped talent.

1. Meet staffing challenges.

As per SHRM’s 2024 Talent Trends Report, more than 3 in 4 organizations experienced difficulty recruiting for full-time regular positions in 2023. With U.S. unemployment rates hovering around 4%, finding employees may be challenging for some time to come.

There are only so many times you can fish from the same limited talent pool — especially when your competitors are doing the same. Casting a wider net to include overlooked individuals who are eager and willing to work just makes sense.

2. Diverse perspectives promote innovation.

When many organizations talk about “bringing in new ideas,” they often mean hiring new college graduates. But why not people with rich life experiences or a different way of thinking?

Untapped talent brings varied experiences and viewpoints that can encourage creativity and fresh approaches to problem-solving.

For example:

Hiring from resilient communities such as veterans, military spouses, people with disabilities, and immigrants may help your organization better adapt to change.
A diverse workforce may help you better understand your customers or even expand your reach.
Different perspectives may help you spot and solve long-standing problems that inhibit growth and innovation.

3. Gain employees with transferable soft skills.

Many overlooked workers are so because they lack the exact skills or education listed in the job description. However, they often have hard-earned talents, traits and aptitudes that can help them succeed in many different roles. These soft skills are not directly trainable, unlike a specific piece of equipment or computer program someone motivated can learn.

For example:

Military spouses may have developed adaptability and flexibility through multiple deployments and living situations.
Caregivers have likely developed strong empathy and communication skills.
Many people exiting the justice system have completed valuable job skills training while incarcerated and are highly motivated.
Veterans may bring strong teamwork and leadership skills earned while serving in challenging circumstances.
People who are underemployed and must work multiple jobs often demonstrate a strong work ethic and dependability.

In a 2020 study by Accenture and Harvard Business School, companies rated “hidden worker” performance higher than “traditional talent” in several key areas, including attitude and work ethic, employee engagement, and innovation.

4. Get a competitive edge in hiring.

According to SHRM, only 23% of employers seek candidates from overlooked or underrepresented groups. Instead of focusing all your time and job advertising budget competing for the same candidates, you can expand your options.

There are reputable community organizations specializing in job placements for people with disabilities as well as underemployed and second-chance employees. They may even offer specialized training to prepare candidates for work at partner organizations. Contacting them is an excellent way to start.

Need personalized help with your candidate search?

Summit Employment Professionals offers direct hire, evaluation-to-hire and temp staffing in Wichita, Kansas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, plus executive search and HR solutions. Contact us today.