Traditional hiring methods—relying on resumes, experience, and outdated job descriptions—are no longer effective. With 85 million jobs projected to be unfilled by 2030, companies need a skills-first hiring approach to stay competitive. However, 92% of organizations lack reliable workforce skills data, making it difficult to identify skill gaps, match talent to roles, and make informed hiring decisions. A skills-based hiring strategy starts with accurate, AI-driven workforce data to map job roles, define skill-based job descriptions, and optimize hiring decisions. Companies that adopt this approach can reduce hiring costs, improve internal mobility, and ensure fair, skills-based compensation.