When was the last time you had an honest conversation with a candidate about the job market? Did you just ask to learn about hiring gaps or to see if they fit an open role? Because the conversation will vary greatly depending on how open you are to honesty and transparency.

A conversation with a job seeker revealed a recent graduate looking for a marketing role, but she was in a tough position. She has the skills for mid-level roles due to responsibilities that exceeded her job title; however, employers will only consider her for entry-level positions. This is a frustratingly common situation for both new graduates and seasoned pros.

Many people have transferable experience that is difficult to articulate on paper, and because they are automatically screened out by software, the conversation about their actual skills never happens. So talent becomes invisible through traditional hiring methods, and being overlooked and undervalued becomes their new normal.

This is arguably the most challenging job market we have seen in the last decade. Ask any candidate, honestly, and they will tell you the truth of what they've experienced. To find truly HIDDEN gems means looking in places and spaces they wouldn’t ordinarily be found. Removing biases and taking big swings on people who have the necessary abilities but perhaps not the exact job title.

There’s a saying that says, “If you never ask, the answer will always be no.” If you never try to hire differently, you will always end up with the same candidates. The fear of a mis-hire will always lead to the same result: talent with the same skills, the same backgrounds, the same likability, and the same education.

While hiring "outside the box" carries some level of risk, you can mitigate these fears with the right strategies. Using contract-to-hire roles or probationary trial periods will allow you to test performance before making a long-term commitment, but don't limit your organization. Strive to hire exceptional, diverse talent every single time. Full-time. No trial period necessary, because fear is a ghost that haunts forever. And being fearless will always lead to big wins.

Don't be afraid to find the hidden gems beneath the surface of a resume. The best talent often comes from the people you least expect to blow you away.