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TED Talks Daily

Work has changed. Why haven't resumes? | Nicos Marcou

Oct 9, 2023
Nicos Marcou, an HR leader known for his innovative approach to hiring, challenges the outdated reliance on resumes in recruitment. He uncovers the historical absurdity of these documents and discusses how they can misrepresent candidates' true talents. Marcou highlights the limitations of traditional resumes amidst evolving job markets and advocates for alternatives like online assessments and portfolios. His insights aim to foster a more inclusive hiring process that values skills over static formats.
10:45

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Resumes fail to capture the true potential of individuals and contribute to discriminatory practices.
  • There are numerous alternatives to traditional resumes that offer a more comprehensive and equitable assessment of candidates.

Deep dives

Resumes fail to capture true potential

Resumes have been a mainstay in the job application process for decades, despite little evidence that they actually work. The reliance on resumes, both in manual reviews and automated scans, fails to capture the true potential and genius of individuals, as demonstrated by the example of Leonardo da Vinci, whose resume would not have hinted at his extraordinary talents. Resumes also contribute to discriminatory practices, as evidenced by the success rates of candidates who whiten their names or change them to those associated with the opposite gender.

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