Sometimes the best hire isn’t the one who ticks every box.
We’ve all seen the job ad looking for the perfect candidate.
Five years’ experience. Specific industry knowledge. The right qualification. Experience with a particular system. And ideally, someone who’s done almost exactly the same job before.
But here’s the thing…
Sometimes the person who ticks every box isn’t necessarily the best person for the job.
Experience matters. It tells us what someone has done before and gives us a good indication of the skills they can bring to a role.
But it doesn’t tell us everything.
Someone might have slightly less experience but bring curiosity, adaptability, great communication skills and a genuine willingness to learn. They might come from a different industry with transferable skills or simply see things from a perspective your team doesn’t already have.
That’s where potential comes in.
When we’re getting to know candidates, we’re looking beyond the position titles and dates on their resume. How do they think? What have they learned along the way? Why are they interested in this opportunity? And where could they go with the right support?
Of course, there will always be roles where particular qualifications or technical experience are essential.
But when there’s room to move, being too focused on finding someone who meets every requirement can mean overlooking someone who could become an exceptional hire.
Sometimes the question isn’t just, “Can they do everything we need today?”
It’s also, “What could they bring to the team tomorrow?”
One Last Thought
Experience tells you what someone has done. Potential tells you what they might do next.
