Applied Skills tests are changing how employers evaluate Dynamics 365 and Power Platform talent, and hiring managers now have clearer signals to work with during screening.
The older certification model focused on broad exams. People studied product areas, memorized features, and answered questions that covered many topics at once. Applied Skills takes a different path. It checks whether a candidate can complete a real task. It gives hiring managers something easier to trust. Each badge reflects a piece of work that ties directly to everyday projects.
These task-level signals support better decisions. They help teams understand what a candidate can deliver before they join. They also give hiring managers a shared language to use during interviews.
Why Applied Skills matter in today’s Dynamics landscape
Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform continue to expand. Updates arrive often and change how people build, test, and improve workflows. Applied Skills matches this pace. It focuses on practical work that stays consistent even as features evolve.
This helps hiring managers avoid guesswork. Instead of relying on broad exams, they can look at specific tasks a candidate has already completed. They can review how the candidate approaches real problems and how closely their work matches team needs.
Nigel Frank helps employers hire Dynamics 365 and Power Platform professionals who bring these tested skills into their projects.
Signal 1: Proof of task-level ability
Each Applied Skills badge covers a single scenario. A candidate might build a flow, create a model-driven app, or set up a customer journey. These tasks come from real implementations, not theoretical knowledge.
This helps hiring managers see practical skills. It shows whether a candidate can follow steps, work with data, and reach an outcome that aligns with business rules. This kind of proof matters more than a long list of features the person can describe.
Signal 2: Current knowledge tied to platform changes
Applied Skills badges reflect recent updates. The tests draw from the current version of the product. That gives hiring managers confidence that the candidate knows how the platform behaves today. They understand which features matter. They understand how Microsoft expects people to complete tasks.
The Nigel Frank Microsoft Careers and Hiring Guide found that 89% of Microsoft professionals believe certification improves job performance. Applied Skills strengthens that belief because the tasks reflect the platform’s present state.
Nigel Frank connects employers with Dynamics 365 and Power Platform professionals who maintain this up-to-date skill base.
Signal 3: Clearer alignment between candidate and job expectations
Applied Skills makes it easier to match people with the roles that suit them best. A candidate with badges tied to flows and automation fits Power Automate work. A candidate with badges tied to journeys or segmentation fits marketing teams. A candidate with app-building tasks fits product-focused teams.
Hiring managers can look at the badges and understand what kind of work the candidate will handle with confidence. This reduces mismatches during onboarding. It also supports more accurate job posts, because managers can describe the actual tasks the role requires.
How these signals support better hiring decisions
Applied Skills encourages hiring managers to focus on real tasks instead of broad certifications. It makes interviews easier to structure because managers can ask about specific steps from each badge. It also helps teams understand where a candidate may need training.
This clarity saves time. It reduces uncertainty. It helps companies build teams that can deliver on day one.
