A few years ago I was working as a Recruiter for a company that made physical products.  Things you could buy at the store. 

I had a req for a mid level Individual Contributor (I.C. = not managing people) to do logistic/supply chain.  I had met a Veteran at a career fair, someone who spent years doing logistics in the Army, getting supplies to troops in active zones.  After speaking to this person for a few minutes, they came across as smart, motivated, hardworking, and a good communicator. 

Did they have experience moving products from the factory in Asia to the US, then to various locations in the US?  No.   

Could they figure it out and learn it quickly?  I think they could have. 

I remember presenting the resume and my screen notes to the Hiring Manager.  They rejected the candidate. Didn’t want to talk to them…not the right experience.  I plead my case.  “This person got supplies to troops in war zones…I think they could handle this”.  “They had to learn how to do that without any prior experience.  They can learn how to do this since they have been doing some of this for years now.”  “Communication skills are good, they are professional, team oriented” (this role was on a team that worked closely together, good team work was a requirement) 

I lost the argument.  I could not convince the Manager to just speak to the person.  I think about this all the time, especially since I started Operation Hired.  I know I will have these conversations again.  I think I have learned a lot since then, I think I can handle the next conversation better.  I hope I can. 

These conversations happen every day.  How have you handled them?