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#53: Are we overvaluing ‘years of experience’ when hiring?

by Kirk W. McLaren

As a CEO, the ultimate success (or lack thereof) of your company depends on your team members.

Sure, you also need great products, customers, systems and processes, intellectual property, etc. – but without a competent team holding it all together …

Everything you’ve built crumbles to the ground.

Since your job is to ensure this doesn’t happen, you and your team must work extra hard to find the best talent available.

But before you create your next ‘help wanted ad’, check out what Sebastian Ramirez, the creator of Fast API posted to Twitter …

“I saw a job post the other day – it required 4+ years of experience in Fast API. I couldn’t apply as I only have 1.5+ years of experience since I created that thing. Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate that ‘years of experience = skill level”.

He’s got a point, ehhh?

I mean, our world is changing at breakneck speed and new technology, platforms, apps, techniques, etc. are being created daily.

This rapid pace of innovation does NOT tolerate resting on laurels.

So instead of selecting job candidates based on ‘years of experience’ – take a deeper dive and consider selecting for what truly drives the needle …

Raw talent, adaptability, creativity, core value alignment, ambition, optimism, desire to learn, personality, attitude, and so on.

Of course, if you take a few minutes to browse the ‘help wanted ads’ – you’ll see this is the opposite of what the majority are doing …

But maybe that’s why they’re having difficulty finding team members?

About the author

MBA, CPA, IFM | CEO Foresight CFO | Georgetown University Lecturer | Forbes Author | Having built and sold his first company before graduating from high school, Kirk is a natural at using the numbers to help CEOs and their management team obliterate the obstacles to growth. Ultimately gaining financial freedom through effectiviness.

Growth CFO Bestselling Author on Amazon

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