'You have the most unusual CV': Recruiter's remark prompts professional to rethink career

A professional's LinkedIn post about a recruiter's observation that he had the "most unusual CV" has resonated with users, triggering a discussion on whether careers should be judged by industries worked in or by the problems professionals consistently solve.

The professional recalled a recruiter pointing to his experience across advertising, digital media, sports streaming, hyperlocal commerce, news, OTT, EdTech and FinTech, saying it appeared he had switched industries every few years. He admitted he had often asked himself the same question and, for years, did not have an answer.

Career shift changed his perspective

The professional said his outlook changed while leaving Scootsy during its acquisition by Swiggy, when he received an opportunity to lead the transformation of Indian Express Digital. Although the company and industry were different, he realised the challenge felt familiar.


Reflecting on his career, he concluded that he had not been moving across industries but had consistently been drawn to organisations undergoing change, whether building something new, transforming existing businesses or helping companies reinvent themselves.

'The work was always transformation'

According to the post, industries merely provided the context, while transformation remained the common thread throughout his career. He added that this realisation also reshaped how he evaluates talent.

Rather than focusing on the industries candidates have worked in, he said he now pays greater attention to the problems they have consistently solved. He argued that while industries and technology evolve, the ability to lead through change remains constant, adding that careers are defined by the challenges professionals become known for solving rather than the sectors they work in.

LinkedIn users echo the sentiment

The post attracted supportive responses from LinkedIn users. One commenter wrote that business problems are not confined to specific industries and argued that while skills can be taught, a person's tendency to repeatedly take on particular problems is much harder to develop. The user added that a CV reflects industries, but behaviour reveals consistent patterns.

Another user said industry experience may provide an initial advantage in a new organisation, but that benefit fades without the vision to think on a larger scale and the attitude to navigate change.

A third commenter said the post strongly resonated, particularly its concluding message. The user noted that labels such as "maverick", "incorrigible", "reckless", "irreverent", "unorthodox" and "inconsistent" had often been used to describe them, adding that those characteristics had remained unchanged.

A fourth user described it as one of the most relatable posts they had read, saying business and product challenges are largely independent of industry and behavioural context.

Disclaimer: This article is based on statements and opinions shared by a professional and other users on LinkedIn. The report reproduces their claims and reactions as posted on the platform. The Economic Times has not independently verified the authenticity, accuracy or completeness of these statements. The views expressed are those of the respective users and do not necessarily reflect those of The Economic Times.