Looking Beyond Technical Skills

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Great Hires Don't Just Fill a Role. They Strengthen Your Team.

When recruiting a GIS professional, it's easy to focus on technical capability.

Can they use ArcGIS Pro?

Do they know FME?

Have they worked with Enterprise GIS?

Those questions are important...

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But they're only part of the picture.

The people who make the biggest impact on an organisation are often those who bring curiosity, collaboration and a genuine desire to keep learning.

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When interviewing your next GIS candidate, look beyond technical skills and consider these five qualities:

✅ 1. Attitude & Mindset

Skills can be learned. A positive attitude, curiosity and adaptability are much harder to teach.

✅ 2. Problem Solving

The best GIS professionals don't just use software—they solve business problems. Ask candidates to explain how they've approached a challenge.

✅ 3. Communication Skills

Can they explain technical concepts to non-GIS colleagues? Strong communication builds trust across the organisation.

✅ 4. Culture & Team Fit

A technically brilliant person who doesn't collaborate well can hold a team back. Look for people who align with your organisation's values and enjoy working with others.

✅ 5. Long-Term Potential

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Don't just hire for today's vacancy.

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Ask yourself:

"Could this person become a future technical leader, mentor or trusted advisor?"

Recruitment is an investment in your organisation's future—not just a solution to today's workload.

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🧠 Dean's Pro Tip

One thing I've learned over many years of interviewing GIS professionals is this:

I hire for potential, not perfection.

I'd rather bring someone into a team who is curious, motivated and eager to learn than someone who has every technical skill but isn't willing to collaborate or grow.

Technical skills can be developed.

The right attitude is what helps people build successful careers.

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📊 Did You Know?

Research by Gallup suggests that replacing an employee can cost between one and one-and-a-half times their annual salary when recruitment, onboarding, lost productivity and training are taken into account.

Making the right hiring decision from the outset isn't just good for the team, it's good for the organisation.

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💬 Question for the community

When you're hiring a GIS professional, what's the one quality you value most?

Technical expertise?

Problem-solving ability?

Communication skills?

Cultural fit?

Leadership potential?

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I'd love to hear what has made the biggest difference in your teams.

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📈 Recruitment Insight

Helping organisations build stronger GIS teams through better recruitment.

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GISjobs Australia

Recruitment • Consulting • GIS Help Desk

Helping Australia's GIS community solve problems, build capability and find great people.