How do we find the “hidden diamonds”?

Who are the real hidden gems among job candidates?

Often, they hide behind:

• Poorly written CVs
• Non-linear education paths
• Employment gaps
• “Patchwork” career histories

When HR receives this kind of CV, even if the candidate meets the technical requirements, it often gets overlooked, especially when there are “perfect fit” profiles in the pile.

I’ve done this myself.

Sometimes I skipped candidates due to unconscious bias and autopilot decision-making.

But then… There were moments when, guided by intuition (or pure necessity ), I gave a chance to someone who didn’t look “ideal on paper”.

And in those moments, sometimes, just sometimes, magic happens. You find a hidden diamond.

At first, the shine is faint, almost invisible. But with time, opportunity and trust, it begins to sparkle in unexpected ways.

These candidates often have a more challenging life journey, and because of that:

• They fight, learn and find solutions
• They overcome obstacles
• They develop resilience and adaptability
• And along the way, they sharpen the skills that make them stand out later

What have I learned?

• It’s worth listening to your inner voice
• It pays off to get to know the ones who don’t fit the “standard mold”
• We should always look beneath the surface

Have you ever encountered a “hidden diamond” in your hiring process? How did you recognize them? What did you learn from the experience?
Let’s become more aware of our own biases and give opportunities to those who may become true change makers in our teams.