Training GroundIn a tight labor market, try asking, "Can this applicant learn to do the job?"

In an ideal world, you'd be able to hire people with theexact skills you needed and who could come to work and beproductive from Day One. But not only is our world far from ideal,in today's tight labor market, demand for skilled workers farexceeds the supply.

One solution is to focus on the trainability of candidates,rather than their immediate skills, says Stanley I. Simkins,principal of OHRD (Organization & Human Resources Development)LLC, an organization development and human resources consultingfirm in Albany, New York. By being willing to hire trainable peoplewho may not have all the skills you need, you'll expand yourpool of potential candidates and may well end up with bettermatches between individuals and jobs. Simkins' tips: