---
title: How to Hire a Knowledge Worker
description: With an increasingly popular shift to remote and creative work, identifying skills to hire the right candidate can be tricky. Learn what a knowledge worker is and how to hire one.
image: https://learn.credly.com/hubfs/Intelligent%20speaker%20standing%20and%20lecturing%20at%20business%20conference%20in%20boardroom.webp
---
Optional Eyebrow Content
### The Future of White Paper Work
The global pandemic of 2020 has changed the workplace as we know it and will likely continue to reverberate through the employment landscape for some time.
Learn More
[  ](https://learn.credly.com/)
[ Talk to Sales ](https://info.credly.com/schedule-a-demo) [ Sign in ](https://www.credly.com/users/sign_in)
- Solutions
- Employers
- [Learning and Development](https://info.credly.com/solutions/employee-learning-and-development)
- [Talent Acquisition](https://info.credly.com/solutions/talent-acquisition)
- [Workforce Planning](https://info.credly.com/solutions/workforce-planning)
- [Higher Education](https://info.credly.com/solutions/higher-education)
- [Product Certification Providers](https://info.credly.com/solutions/product-certifications)
- [Professional Associations](https://info.credly.com/solutions/professional-associations)
- [Training Providers](https://info.credly.com/solutions/training-and-development-providers)
- By Industry
- [Banking & Finance](https://info.credly.com/solutions/banking)
- [Healthcare](https://info.credly.com/solutions/healthcare)
- [Insurance](https://info.credly.com/solutions/insurance)
- [Retail](https://info.credly.com/solutions/retail)
- Products
- [Digital Credentials](https://info.credly.com/product/acclaim)
- [Workforce Skills Management](https://info.credly.com/product/workforce)
- [Professional Services](https://info.credly.com/product/professionalservices)
- [Integrations](https://info.credly.com/integration-listing)
- Other Pearson Products
- [Pearson TalentLens](https://www.talentlens.com/)
- [Faethm by Pearson](https://www.faethm.ai/)
- Resources
- [Blog](https://learn.credly.com/blog)
- [Case Studies](https://learn.credly.com/case-study)
- [White Papers & Guides](https://learn.credly.com/guides)
- Support
- [Badge Earners](https://info.credly.com/badge-earner-support)
- [Credly Help Center](https://support.credly.com/hc/en-us)
- [Issuer Help Center](https://credlyissuer.zendesk.com/hc/en-us)
[ Talk to Sales ](https://info.credly.com/schedule-a-demo) [ Sign in ](https://www.credly.com/users/sign_in)
This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached.
- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
[ Credly Blog ](https://credly-2629051.hs-sites.com/blog) How to Hire a Knowledge Worker
# How to Hire a Knowledge Worker
The term “knowledge worker” was coined over fifty years ago by Peter Drucker in his book, *The Landmarks of Tomorrow. *Drucker predicted workers who relied on analytical and creative skills would soon out-earn and outweigh blue-collar workers, and he was right. Of course, he couldn’t have predicted that most of the way Americans earn a living would be done online, but he did have a hunch that the future of work was going to shift from skilled laborers to knowledge-based workers.
 Credly
 2 min read
With the rise of the traditional four-year degree amongst millennials, and then the decline in popularity of the four-year degree amongst[ Gen Xers](https://learn.credly.com/blog/move-over-millennials-gen-z-is-ready-for-digital-credentials), hiring managers are increasingly tasked with weeding out skills that may or may not be relevant to the job they’re trying to hire for.
Here’s how to effectively hire a knowledge worker in your organization.
1. [**Write a skills-based job description**](https://resources.credly.com/blog/how-to-write-a-skills-based-job-description)
You can’t hire a knowledge worker if you don’t know what skills they need to perform to do their job effectively. Bringing some clarity to the needs of the organization before interviewing candidates is critical to putting the right person in the role.
2. **Include **[**soft-skills**](https://resources.credly.com/blog/does-emotional-intelligence-matter-in-a-digital-world)** in the job description**
Emotional intelligence is just as important as technical skills, so making sure that a candidate knows how to lead and communicate - both online and off - is important in putting the right candidate in the right role. Since knowledge work is typically subjective, making sure that the candidate you’re interviewing can handle feedback and constructive criticism sets everyone up for success.
3. **Verify their skills**
Digital credentials are a great way to quickly, and securely, verify that someone knows how to do exactly what they said they can do. As a hiring manager, it’s important that self-reported skills can actually be performed on the job. This includes [soft-skills](https://resources.credly.com/_hcms/analytics/search/conversion?redirect=aHR0cHM6Ly9yZXNvdXJjZXMuY3JlZGx5LmNvbS9ibG9nL2lzLWl0LXBvc3NpYmxlLXRvLXZlcmlmeS1zb2Z0LXNraWxscy10aHJvdWdoLWRpZ2l0YWwtY3JlZGVudGlhbHM%3D&ct=SEARCH&pid=2629051&cid=10894060524&t=dmVyaWZ5&d=resources.credly.com&c=2&c=3&c=6&rp=1&ab=true&corr=&rs=UNKNOWN&hs-expires=1609959208&hs-version=1&hs-signature=APUk-v5dL8RhEgmrNFnq61XhPxmOctDxaQ) as well, which can be vetted with digital credentials.
The demand for skilled workers, both knowledge-based and manual, is high. The shift to jobs that are predominantly done online and virtually is gaining popularity and traction with a younger generation, and syncing skills to hiring needs (through digital credentials) is a great way to ensure organizational longevity and adaptability.
---
If you’re interested in learning more about issuing digital credentials, schedule a chat with our team now!
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2629051/8cdf25a5-65a4-44b4-853f-5b9a1b119ff3)
#### Share
## Read More
#### Skills-Based Hiring: Why It's Important and Why Verifiable Skills Are Key
It might seem obvious that everyone involved in the recruiting and hiring process would take...
Learn more
#### Hiring in the Side-Hustle Era
43% of American workers who have a full-time job also have a side-gig), and now more people...
Learn more
#### What Are Digital Skills?
In any business, it's always important to focus on keeping up with technology, but now, given...
Learn more
#### What Should Hiring Managers Know About Hiring Recent College Grads?
A college education is vital to long-term earning potential and the United States is ripe with...
Learn more
.webp)
#### Digital Credentials Can Help the Skilled Worker Shortage
The construction industry and other trades are feeling a shortage of skilled workers. From...
Learn more
#### How To Create A Productive Workforce In 3 Steps
According to the Academy of Management, unless productivity exactly conforms to a manager's...
Learn more
  
## Ready to Get Started with Credly’s Acclaim platform?
Demo page
[ ](https://info.credly.com/)
Credly by Pearson hosts the largest and most-connected digital credential network. We help the world speak a common language of verified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
| [](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/credly/id1630234370) |
| --- |
| [.svg)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.credly.android&hl=en_US&gl=US) |
[Cookies](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/privacy-center/privacy-notices.htm)
- Learn more
- [About Us](https://info.credly.com/about-us)
- [Support](https://support.credly.com/)
- [Legal](https://info.credly.com/legal)
- [For Developers](https://www.credly.com/docs)
- [Data Security Center](https://info.credly.com/data-security-privacy)
- [Do Not Sell or Share my Personal Information](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/privacy-center/privacy-notices.html)
- Other Solutions
- [Pearson TalentLens](https://www.talentlens.com/)
- [Faethm by Pearson](https://www.faethm.ai/)
- [Pearson Workforce Skills](https://www.pearson.com/work.html)
© Copyright 2026 - Credly
[ Terms of Use ](https://info.credly.com/legal)
[ Privacy Policy ](https://www.pearson.com/en-us/privacy-center/privacy-notices.html)
 
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Credly",
"url" : "https://learn.credly.com/blog/author/credly"
},
"dateModified" : "2023-11-28T11:39:23.599Z",
"datePublished" : "2023-02-26T11:31:02.000Z",
"headline" : "How to Hire a Knowledge Worker",
"image" : [ "https://learn.credly.com/hubfs/Intelligent%20speaker%20standing%20and%20lecturing%20at%20business%20conference%20in%20boardroom.webp" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://learn.credly.com/blog/how-to-hire-a-knowledge-worker",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://learn.credly.com/hubfs/Credly%20by%20Pearson%20Purple_RGB-1.svg"
},
"name" : "Credly by Pearson"
}
}
```