Experience is overrated. Most breakthrough accomplishments were done by people doing them for the first time. Therefore when hiring hire for aptitude and attitude and then train for skills. – from Excellent Advice for Living
I like this advice. It’s what I’ve tended to do when I have been a hiring manager. I look for people that have potential, can learn, and fit with the team. Not necessarily think or are the same, but they will grow with us. I think aptitude and attitude matter more than experience often.
There are exceptions. Sometimes we need skills and help in a certain area, and experience can be important. In those cases, I need someone that can teach others and is willing to do so. I still want aptitude and attitude, because even an experienced person will need to grow and learn (and get along).
The other trait I find important is curiosity. I need someone that wants to learn more.
I’ve been posting New Words on Fridays from a book I was reading, however, a friend thought they were a little depressing. They should be as they are obscure sorrows. I like them because they make me think.
To counter-balance those, I’m adding in thoughts on advice, mostly from Kevin Kelley’s book. You can read all these posts under the advice tag.