Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary has highlighted a significant hiring red flag that could lead him to discard a candidate’s resume. In a recent interview clip shared on Instagram, O’Leary stated that a poor internet connection signals a lack of commitment to business. He remarked, “For me, it says a lot about you when you don’t have a good internet connection. You’re not in business, you don’t want to be in business, you don’t care. And so, I’ll probably put your resume in the garbage.”
Valuing Work-Life Balance
Known for his forthright critiques, O’Leary has earned a reputation akin to that of Simon Cowell on Shark Tank. Surprisingly, he does not seek employees who are solely focused on work. Instead, he values candidates with diverse interests outside their professional lives. O’Leary stated that he looks for individuals who engage in hobbies such as dancing, playing guitar, painting, or riding motorcycles. He emphasized that those with these eclectic passions often demonstrate “executional excellence” in their professional roles.
During an appearance on Fox Business last fall, he mentioned his approach when interviewing for high-level positions, particularly for CEO or CFO roles in sectors like AI or social media. He said, “When I now look at resumes and interview for the high-end positions, I ask that candidate, ‘What else do you do?’” He expressed his enthusiasm when he discovers candidates who have maintained talents from their teenage years.
Performance Over Hours
O’Leary believes that as long as work is completed on time, the specific hours during which it is done are irrelevant. He shared on Instagram that the “best performers” he has hired balance their artistic pursuits with the rigorous demands of business. This perspective particularly challenges the stereotype of engineers, who are often viewed as solely focused on their screens.
In this evolving landscape of work culture, O’Leary’s insights serve as a reminder that a well-rounded life can contribute to professional success. By valuing diverse interests, he encourages potential candidates to showcase their individuality, which he believes can enhance their effectiveness in business roles.
