Entrepreneur Hired Woman With 2-Line Resume, No Experience

A podcast host and entrepreneur is proving that sometimes the best hires come with the shortest resumes.

Steven Bartlett, who hosts "The Diary of a CEO" podcast, recently shared how he hired a woman whose CV was just two lines long with no work experience. Her secret weapon wasn't her qualifications but something far more valuable.

"She thanked the security guard by name on the way into the building," Bartlett revealed in a LinkedIn post that quickly went viral. That small gesture caught his attention immediately.

During the interview, the candidate showed remarkable emotional intelligence. When she didn't know an answer, she didn't fake it or panic.

Instead, she said, "I don't know that yet, but here's how I'd figure it out." Then she actually did the work, teaching herself the answers and emailing them to Bartlett after the interview ended.

She also sent thank-you notes to everyone she met during the interview process. These weren't empty gestures but genuine displays of character and care.

Bartlett's company values ambition, work ethic, and emotional intelligence above all else. The candidate displayed all three qualities without needing a fancy degree or years of experience to prove it.

"She's one of the best hires I ever made," Bartlett said. Her performance on the job validated his decision to look beyond traditional credentials.

Why This Inspires

Bartlett's story challenges how we think about hiring and opportunity. He argues that technical skills can be taught quickly, but character, curiosity, and genuine respect for others cannot be trained.

His experience shows that the qualities that make someone truly valuable at work often show up in the smallest moments. How someone treats a security guard reveals more about their character than any polished cover letter ever could.

The post resonated deeply with LinkedIn users. "Skills can be taught. Character, curiosity, and respect can't, and they're what actually scale teams," one commenter wrote.

Another added that "character shows itself in small, observable behaviors" that predict success far better than credentials. Many shared their own stories of great coworkers who had attitude and willingness to learn over impressive resumes.

Bartlett's message is clear: attitude and cultural fit matter more than formal education when building strong teams. Drive and values can't be taught in a classroom or listed on a CV.

Sometimes the best investment a company can make is betting on someone's character instead of their credentials.