And You, Would Have Have Hired This Candidate ?

 

A seemingly insignificant detail, just a line on a CV often classified as a “Hobby” by recruiters. Yet, it holds so much more… Let’s learn to recognize the hidden talents around us.

Recently, a recruiter was perplexed by a profile from a less prestigious business school compared to other candidates, but who exuded a certain energy, even charisma. The conversation revealed that the candidate was a good tennis player, ranked two levels below the Top 100 in France according to his CV. To the recruiter, this seemed insignificant as it was mentioned relatively discreetly alongside a few honorable achievements. After all, many “young people” are good at sports, so why pay more attention to this?

 

The revelation of soft skills

Let’s dig deeper. This tennis ranking indicates that the candidate has developed a remarkable range of soft skills during his youth and adolescence, making him unique: rigor, autonomy, perseverance, managing frustration and change, resilience, adaptability, a thirst for learning, attention to detail, and a bit of creativity. Probably an exceptional sense of organization as well, to balance studies and sport, manage tournaments and catch up on classwork, with the academic aspect adding extra stress to his sporting daily life. These skills, certified by his sporting journey, make him a golden candidate for many companies. Recognize this athlete who might have spent 15-25+ hours per week improving and pursuing an ambitious dream, often at the cost of significant sacrifices, unlike a recreational player who dedicates only 2 or 3 hours per week. This revelation was surprising for the recruiter, as it has been for many others. What is true for tennis is true for other sports. Understanding the investment behind any mention on the CV is key.

 

Persistent prejudices

Despite the growing interest in soft skills and the desire for innovative recruitment, prejudices related to the prestige of the school persist. In the United States, such a candidate would probably have been considered a rare gem. This is why the best young people from all countries dream of going to the US, being sponsored with a scholarship for university years, and representing their college in sports in a unique atmosphere. Unfortunately, elsewhere this approach seems impossible. Elsewhere, this sacrifice and self-improvement are often less easily perceived.

 

The demanding path of tennis

Tennis is a sport where, very early on, children face unprecedented situations: beating an opponent while controlling their emotions, overcoming external pressures, and ignoring the intimidation from parents or coaches. Around 12-14 years old, innate talent is no longer enough; it is necessary to intensify training, face more experienced opponents, strengthen physically, and participate in adult tournaments, often at the cost of significant family sacrifices.

 

The challenges and sacrifices

Around 15-16 years old, many give up their dream in the face of obstacles or constraints. Educational choices become crucial: traditional path, sport-studies, or specialized academies. The ultimate goal? To become a professional or obtain a scholarship to the United States, where the tennis ranking determines the academic and sporting level of the university, as well as the scholarship. At 18, succeeding often means leaving their familiar environment to discover a new world.

 

The valorization of sports skills

As previously mentioned, in the United States, excelling in a sport is extremely valued. University championships (NCAA) are highly publicized, attracting many young foreign athletes. Léon Marchand is a current media example, but there are many others, such as Arthur Rinderknech or Rudy Gobert.

 

Hidden talents behind a CV

Excelling in sports, music, theater, or chess is not just a hobby. These activities reveal unique individuals, forged by challenging paths and rich in soft skills, which many companies would find appealing. Regardless of the final outcome, it is often the journey taken, not the destination, that matters most.

 

Towards a different recruitment

It is time to recruit differently, to go beyond prejudices based on prestige, and to discover the hidden talents around us. Since the CV remains (for now) the norm, it is essential to know how to read and decipher it. Let’s surpass the CV so that it is no longer a catalog of completed destinations but lets the journey taken shine through. A simple line can reveal much more than it seems.

 

And you, would you have hired this candidate?