What is resourcefulness?

Being resourceful at work means finding creative ways to overcome challenges using the tools that are presently available. In other words, it’s a way of approaching tasks that optimizes available resources and minimizes inefficiencies.

Resourcefulness is a mindset and a strategy. Resourceful employees can leverage the tools available to them to resolve challenges as they arise. This can be particularly useful when a straightforward course isn’t immediately available. In these cases, having an employee who can pivot to find a creative answer can be invaluable.

A resourceful team typically tends to be more open-minded with their ideas, displaying a willingness to implement unexpected solutions. Resourcefulness can also translate to an eagerness to learn new skills, expanding an employee’s ability to use the tools they have.

Why resourcefulness matters

Teams with a resourceful mindset continuously seek ways to maximize their tools and budgets. This can make them more cost-efficient than teams with little motivation to reduce resource waste.

Being resourceful can also result in an innovative workforce. Employees who are used to thinking creatively to solve problems may produce more ideas and unexpected opportunities.

When your team approaches challenges from new angles, they may be more agile in the event of industry changes. Resourceful employees may also be less affected by shifts in the market or standard procedures. When resourcefulness is ingrained into your organization, teams can become proactive rather than reactive.

Resourcefulness skills examples

Resourcefulness is a broad quality that encompasses various skills. Understanding those skills can help you identify this trait in current employees and potential new hires. Some resourcefulness skills examples include:

• Creativity: A creative mindset helps employees see resources in unique ways that can lead to a resourceful approach to problems.
• Persistence: A persistent employee can stay determined and adaptable, potentially trying different approaches until they find the ideal solution to a problem.
• Adaptability: Adaptable employees can bounce back from unexpected changes and be flexible on their path to success.
• Open-mindedness: Open-minded professionals can comfortably evaluate various ideas and execute an unconventional plan.
• Collaboration: Effectively collaborating with colleagues across departments can help employees find the most efficient use of company resources.
• Patience: Finding a resourceful solution to a problem can take time. Patient employees may stay calm and clear-headed until they find an answer that works.
• Initiative: Employees who take initiative may work independently to evaluate a situation with little to no direction.

How to hire for resourcefulness

Hiring resourceful professionals can help you create a workforce that makes the most of the tools available to them. Here are a few strategies to help you hire for resourcefulness.

Make resourcefulness part of your company culture

While resourcefulness can be important as a strategy, it’s most valuable as a mindset. Embedding this quality into your organization on a foundational level can help you find professionals who share your perspective.

You can use your company culture to attract candidates looking for a workplace with values they support. A culture based on resourcefulness may attract job seekers who prioritize creativity, autonomy and open-mindedness. This can help expand your applicant pool and connect you with professionals who demonstrate resourceful skills.

Establishing core values, taking a culture first approach to recruiting and being transparent with your priorities upfront can help you find like-minded professionals.

Incorporate resourcefulness into job descriptions

A carefully written job description can help you connect with the right applicants. The right tone and wording can prompt resourceful job seekers to apply for your open position. Consider these tips to incorporate resourcefulness into a job posting:

• Use relevant keywords to find applicants with those traits.
• Highlight a workplace environment that values collaboration and creativity.
• State your desire for flexible team members who can manage challenges.
• Encourage autonomous individuals with unique backgrounds to apply to grow your team’s skills.

Craft your interview questions carefully

Asking effective questions during an interview can help you evaluate a candidate’s resourcefulness. Behavioral interview questions can show how a candidate has approached challenges with limited resources. For example, you might ask, “Can you tell me about a time you solved a complex problem at work? What approach did you take to find a solution?”

You can also ask candidates to provide resourceful examples of times they overcame challenges despite limitations. This can show you how a person might adapt when solving a problem with little time or help. As you chat, focus on how a candidate addresses an issue to see how they might respond in similar situations.

Administer a skills test

Skills tests can help gauge a candidate’s resourcefulness abilities. These short quizzes allow professionals to put their skills into practice by answering scenario-based questions.

Conduct reference checks

Checking a candidate’s references can provide insight into their history with resourcefulness. A previous employer or colleague may comment on a person’s creative and collaborative skills.

Consider asking references to rate the candidate’s ability to work with limited resources or adapt to unexpected challenges. You can also ask for examples of times the candidate demonstrated resourcefulness in the role.

Building resourcefulness in an existing team

Boosting workplace resourcefulness is possible. With the right strategy, you can help current team members access their resourceful sides for a more efficient and creative workforce. Here are some ways to improve employee resourcefulness:

• Create a skills inventory to assess your staff’s strengths, identify upskill opportunities and find better ways to manage employee abilities.
• Reassess your operations to identify and eliminate processes without value to free up resources for other uses.
• Promote a healthy work-life balance so employees are motivated to stay innovative.
• Conduct brainstorming sessions to encourage creativity.
• Switch to new technology to reduce tasks and give employees more time to innovate.