Look Beyond Shiny Resumes: This CEO has an important message for HR professionals

A recent LinkedIn post by Tasleem Ahmed, founder of a ghostwriting agency, has sparked widespread conversation on unconventional hiring practices. In his post, Ahmed shared a personal story of hiring a candidate with no resume or prior experience, challenging traditional recruitment norms.

Ahmed's approach focused on the candidate's willingness to learn rather than their experience or formal qualifications. This story serves as a significant reminder to hiring managers to look beyond conventional resumes and give eager, passionate individuals an opportunity.

Video Application Leads to Success

The candidate in question, Laiba Fateh, did not follow the typical hiring route. Instead of submitting a formal resume, Fateh created a video application and landing page, which caught Ahmed’s attention. She stood out among 800 applicants due to her innovative approach and was hired despite having no prior experience.



Six months into the role, Fateh’s performance led to a promotion. She is now an equity partner, managing all operations for Ahmed's agency. Ahmed shared this success story, emphasizing that skills can be taught, but a strong willingness to learn and grow cannot be underestimated.

A New Perspective on Hiring

"My most successful hire had zero experience," Ahmed wrote in his post. He noted that 99% of all job skills can be taught and urged hiring managers to reconsider their reliance on traditional resumes when assessing potential candidates.

"Hiring managers, your best hire won't be the person with the shiniest resume. It'll be the person who is willing to learn. Give people a chance," he added.

Positive Response from the Public

Ahmed’s post has ignited discussions across social media platforms, with many supporting this fresh take on recruitment. One commenter noted, "The hunger to grow, learn, and improve should be a must when hiring. You never know, that person with no experience might grow to become your best employee."

Others praised the idea of hiring based on character and potential. "This is why you hire for character. The ones who are willing to put in the work are the best," another user commented.

As companies continue to face challenges in finding the right talent, this story serves as a reminder that sometimes the most unconventional candidates can turn out to be the best hires. Ahmed’s approach may encourage more employers to think outside the box and consider the potential in people eager to learn and grow.