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It’s time to measure talent by proficiency, not experience. Years don’t always equal skill. Time doesn’t always equal talent. My son’s 14-year-old friend hacked the school’s computer system. How many years of experience could he possibly have had? But it’s written right into job posts: -> “10+ years required” -> “Minimum of 5 years’ experience” The truth? Proficiency is within someone’s control. -They can learn. -They can train. -They can level up. But they can’t speed up time. They can’t fast-forward through a decade just to meet a job posting requirement. Hiring for proficiency means opening the door to driven people who bring real skills and real impact to the table. So, the next time you post a job, or review a candidate, ask yourself: Would you rather hire someone who’s mastered the skills you need? Or just someone who’s clocked in the years? What’s your take? Is it time to rethink our “years of experience” mindset? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear! ♻️Repost if you know someone who needs to see this. 🔔 Follow me for more on hiring and getting hired.
Gwen Gayhart I think the tech field is the easiest to recognize the value of raw talent vs. years of experience (like your son's friend - can't argue with the success of hacking the school's system). But its true in other fields as well.
Absolutely, Gwen Gayhart! This mindset shift is crucial. Experience doesn’t always equal expertise, and proficiency can come from passion, self-learning, and problem-solving. It’s about what someone can do, not how long they’ve been doing it. Hiring for real skills opens the door to fresh talent that can bring more value to the table. Time to rethink how we measure potential!
I agree! So arbitrary and unfair!
Couldn’t agree more! It’s my dream for companies to start hiring based on what people can do—not just how long they’ve done it. ✨
I've met people with 10 years experience. I've also met people with one year of experience, repeated 10 times. Finally, I've met people who gained 10 years worth of experience, but did it in only three years. Screening on years of experience is lazy and foolish.
Hiring based on skills instead of years of experience allows us to find talented people who can make a difference.
"10+ years experience required" Translation: "Must have the right scars." Not: - Years coded - Systems built - Meetings survived But: - Projects saved - CEOs confronted - Failures transformed Stop counting time. Start counting lessons.
Senior Security Program Manager | Leading Cybersecurity Initiatives | Driving Strategic Security Solutions | Cybersecurity Excellence | Cloud Security
9moAbsolutely agree! It's essential to prioritize skills over years of experience. Talent can come from unexpected places, and younger individuals can often bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. Gwen Gayhart