In recruitment, it’s so easy to get caught up in the “essential criteria” checklist.
X Years of experience.
Specific qualifications.
A particular sector background.
All very neat on paper, but real people, and real potential, rarely fit into neat boxes.
With over 21 years in the recruitment industry, I’ve seen time and time again that the very best recruitment campaigns often come from looking beyond the CV.
I have helped thousands of people find their next career move. Some of the most successful hires I’ve been part of didn’t have the “perfect” background. What they did have was something you can’t always capture on paper: emotional intelligence, a brilliant work ethic, values that align with the organisation, or simply the ability to bring fresh perspective at just the right time.
One candidate springs to mind immediately.
On paper, she didn’t tick every box. But she had the right mindset, a calm confidence, and the drive to grow. Initially the candidate wasn’t selected for interview. This was a mistake. I had to ask the client to trust me, and the process, and to just give the candidate the chance.
That candidate is now a key part of the client’s senior team. I have loved watching her develop over the years.
I do think there are many businesses who miss out on great people because they’re focused on finding someone who’s essentially done the same job, just in a different business. That’s understandable, but it can be so limiting.
Transferable skills, attitude, and alignment of values often matter far more than whether someone has worked in the exact same role or industry before.
There’s a lot of talk about “talent shortages” at the moment.
But in many cases, it’s not a lack of great people, it’s a need to look at talent through a broader lens.
A CV gives us a snapshot. But it’s the human conversation, the values, and the attitude that tell the real story.
Let’s not lose sight of that.
For nearly 13 years at SimkissGuy, this has been a key part of our Seven Point Promise. Advising on the skills and attitude you need for your team. Because your people are so much more than a list of duties on a job specification.
That’s how we help our clients build long-term, thriving teams.
