
TED Talks Daily Looking for a job? Highlight your ability, not your experience | Jason Shen
Aug 15, 2019
In this engaging talk, Jason Shen, an entrepreneur and talent expert who pivoted from biology to tech, shares his insights on job hunting. He argues that candidates should focus on showcasing their abilities rather than just their past experiences. Shen discusses the disconnect between education and available job opportunities, advocating for adaptable skill acquisition. He highlights innovative hiring practices that prioritize potential and diversity, calling for a cultural shift to value capability over credentials as a means to create a more inclusive job market.
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Outdated Hiring Systems
- Many people don't work in fields related to their college degrees.
- Traditional hiring systems are failing and causing us to miss out on talented individuals.
Landing a Job at Etsy
- Jason Shen landed a job at Etsy despite lacking prior product management experience.
- He demonstrated his potential through research and proactive project proposals.
Overlooked Potential
- Brian Acton, co-founder of WhatsApp, was rejected by Twitter and Facebook.
- This highlights how companies can overlook potential.

