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Does a candidate’s background determine their success?

Does a candidate’s background determine their success?

In today's competitive job market, effective leadership in team management requires a shift in how we assess talent, emphasizing the candidate's journey over traditional qualifications. Fabian Caldarella highlights that success is not solely determined by hard or soft skills, prestigious schools, or backgrounds, but rather by an individual’s mindset, drive, and willingness to learn. By fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, organizations can unlock a wealth of potential from candidates who may not fit the conventional mold. Emphasizing company values, communication, and career development plans is vital in nurturing talent. According to Fabian Caldarella, it’s essential to broaden our criteria for talent acquisition and reject linear expectations. Don’t miss more tips and insights on leadership and team management in the full episode.

2026·Season 2·Episode 5Highlight
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Fabian Caldarella · Head of Recruitment

Team growth

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Transcription

00:04

Knowing how to spot and invest in talent Now, let's move on to a little...

00:12

What's left in there?Is my hand not big enough?People will say, "Your mouth's what's big, shut up!" I love it!

00:24

Are we going on holiday?"From flight attendant to top employee: is success determined by the candidate's experience?" Wow!

00:34

I believe that nowadays, talent isn't just about hard skills,or soft skills,nor a good school,nor having a good pedigree because you studied at a great business school.

00:46

Right, you've got the idea.These days, a candidate's journey is what we,in Human Resources, can assess through elements that aren't said nor visible in a CV.

01:01

I mean, ¿does their experience determine their success?

01:05

No.And I've got a real-life example to illustrate it.

01:09

In a past experience,I was working for a company, and a colleague,while on holiday,told me,"I've met this woman, honestly,she's a flight attendant,but she's got a great mindset, drive,and she's understood that she's motivated,and that she'll change jobs today." "And I told him, why not add her to Fab's team?" With this girl, look how far it went,once again,we really connected.

01:34

I'm so proud to have supported her through that career change,because she turned out to be one of my best hires, and above all,my best employee in the team.

01:46

She had the drive.She understood that today, she was being given an opportunity.

01:51

This ties in with inclusion and diversity.Without the right background, nor being born in the right place.

01:57

Without the right name.But she had the drive.She truly wanted to push herself, to learn the trade.

02:05

What I mean is that nowadays,it's important to open all your chakras and not get stuck on "I want someone like this." Someone prepared, from a top school, from a software company.

02:16

No way.In fact, I'll keep fighting so that each candidate's experience isn't automatically linear.