There are several factors bosses take into consideration when recruiting new members of staff and a survey suggests aptitude for learning will be one of the most prominent over the coming year. Employers want to take people on who have demonstrated an ability to learn, explained Hays, which will become what it terms "the next battleground in the war for talent". It is no longer a case of finding people with the right skills and experience, but those who set their sights on advancing their careers, explained Nick Deligiannis, managing director of Hays in Australia and New Zealand. He noted: "The world is changing rapidly. Globalisation, the shift towards a knowledge economy and the sheer pace of technological changes are among the factors radically shifting how organisations operate. "This places a premium on an employee's ability to learn and respond to their employer's and the market's changing demands." For example, organisations that choose to use business accounting software to assist their everyday operations will need to know their staff are willing to receive the necessary training in this area. Hays has offered a number of top tips for employers hoping to take on the best staff for the job, including carrying out tests during the early recruitment stages. Although this may have a long history in human resources and recruitment, the group emphasised that aptitude tests are not necessarily the best gauge of how well people will be able to learn. It recommended getting human resources teams on board to devise the best approach. Organisations have their sights set on sustained expansion more than ever, so candidates need to show they are willing to grow alongside the organisation. Companies therefore need to make sure they are offering opportunities to anyone who wants to advance their career and gain more skills suited to their role.