Looking for a job? Highlight your ability, not your experience | Jason Shen

Very few of us hold jobs that line up directly with our past experiences or what we studied in college. Take TED Resident Jason Shen; he studied biology but later became a product manager at a tech company. In this quick, insightful talk about human potential, Shen shares some new thinking on how job seekers can make themselves more attractive -- and why employers should look for ability over credentials.
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[@tr_micks]

Google Data Analytics course brought me here. Jason, great speech! I wish more employers would take heed of this hiring concept.

[@JenOween]

Same with me. I agree with you, too.

[@BaoPham9x]

Google Data Analytics course brought me here also. My point is actually simple. To find a job means to sell yourself. What should you sell? Find the right client and sell what they want, not what you have.

[@joybusinge8571]

Same here! I loved this!

[@terb44]

How's it going Todd? Did you find a job in the data analytics field?

[@Cinema_entertainments]

I agree with you

[@WoWKlump]

Great talk, but the title is a it misleading. His talk is focused towards recruiters, rather than people looking for jobs.

[@arbenkqiku8880]

It is true, but he also explained that as a job seeker you should find a way to showcase your skills.

[@junelee4838]

right right right :(

[@yhl3743]

Right

[@No1uknow68]

You need to show up to the interview with proof that you can do the job and more.

[@catalindoakes977]

Lovely video content! Forgive me for the intrusion, I would love your initial thoughts. Have you tried - Chiveard Discovering Potential Framework (erm, check it on google should be there)? It is a great exclusive product for finding your true calling and achieving success minus the headache. Ive heard some great things about it and my buddy finally got cool results with it.

[@Finessence1111]

We all have so many gifts and talents that we aren't aware of. Don't let an outdated system tell you how valuable you are. Keep getting to know yourself on deeper levels and let your authenticity shine thru. Once you know who you really are, the abundance of the universe is yours. Success will radiate out of you.

[@shadevi]

Tommy Truong It is sad that a large part of those gifts and talents remain undeveloped because of the system that is in place.

[@alicia72293]

"Until we get a holistic view of someone, our judgement of them will always be flawed"

[@SewStruck]

alicia72293 I loved that

[@jeffhsipepi]

One of the best ways to implement Jason's advice is in the Tell me About Yourself question. This is typically the first question your interviewer will ask you, so talk about your abilities/skill alignment when answering this question, typically focusing on 3 items is perfect. It will set a positive tone for the rest of the interview. Good luck!

[@zackbourque896]

so true

[@pradeepp9137]

Every time I look out the Ted talk it give more confident to me

[@mrnarason]

Except the SJW ted talks.

[@memevn_92]

same to me

[@JaveyJenkins]

As someone who has worked at 104 different companies since 1994, you have some good advice for the young people just entering the workforce, My bit of advice for you all. GO WORK FOR YOURSELVES, as soon as you develop enough skills to do it. otherwise, you will waste a great deal of your lives making a bunch of people money while you have just enough to get by.

[@KaesOner]

You do realise to develop these skills, most of the time you need these "bunch of people" to help you develop them. This is why its better to work in the workforce before going out on your own, unless your a genius, which most people arent.

[@BibCuisine]

Thank you

[@samuelsingh520]

That's great advice 👍👊

[@andrewpulle315]

@@KaesOner You do realize he says that in his comment. Within the same sentence, he says "...as soon as you develop enough skills to do it." Go work for yourself once you have developed the skills to go out and do so.

[@ankiambomnkesa]

"Until we get a holistic view of someone, our judgement of them will always be flawed" My takeaway. Brief presentation but packed with practical knowledge. Thank you Jason Chen

[@Charsh392]

I agree with the sentiments of Jason Shen.. He's right- we need to seek out employers who are willing to see us in a different light that shows our true potential.. It's beyond frustrating and near psychotic break-down when our efforts aren't even looked at. Other than the outdated practices of evaluating potential individuals who can do wonders, there is also the problem of employers using robots to sift through applicants and outright block anybody who doesn't have "keywords" in their resumes... End point is we need more cooperation from both sides- the prospective candidate as well as the outdated employers.

[@waellerbe]

I have to sincerely *appreciate* the new "school of thought" that I gather from the wisdom shared in this presentation. It's encouraging to focus more so on our ability to showcase our experience. I plan to flag this presentation as one of my favorites. Thank you Jason Shen for sharing this wisdom with us.

[@poida007]

Great stuff Jason. Fortunately I was doing this a long time ago and got every job I ever wanted, and I mean wanted vs just applied for. Demonstrating knowledge, skill and capability in advance of and during a job interview is key!

[@Miimu5210]

That shirt's about to explode.

[@CUTTHISSHITOUT]

Mi I love it!

[@eb319]

I’m fine with that

[@naut_nigel]

We can only hope.

[@miqqe93]

He been lifting some serious weight

[@lilica1983]

One size larger would help him

[@MoveInSilence23]

A message that needs to be heard. I love TED talks because of stuff like this.

[@thesumofourlives6857]

Great job at the 1:15 mark demonstrating the value of doing your homework to research a company for key insights that helped you standout

[@anthonybianco8690]

Excellent points, well done. Through my career I have always looked for the potential in a person coupled with their past experience and problem solving abilities.

[@BB23573]

Jason Shen was amazing! The three tips he shared were very inspiring! The hire for performance stuck out to me the most. We need to focus on what that person can do through portfolios and demonstration of skills that tailor into the field they want to get into. It's more of show and tell! Thank you, Jason Shen, for an amazing outlook towards ability!

[@shashankkumarshah7279]

Here from Google data analytics course ❤️

[@TheHornet79]

Dude works out. Nice gains bruh

[@trainsonplanes709]

Jay Kay ur mom

[@atrudokht]

It's okay being gay

[@woewoe2749]

atrudokht it was a joke. I’d say 99% of the time when someone says “that’s gay” they’re just joking to make things uncomfortable. He probably doesn’t think being gay is wrong. Most people don’t.

[@magdalenecharles]

''Until we get a holistic view of someone, our judgement of them will always be flawed.'' Key takeaway for me. Thanks to Google Analytics program for giving me the opportunity to listen to this great and inspiring story while learning and gaining tremendous insights from what i have heard. Thank you Jason Shen!

[@TrundleTheGreat]

I did not anticipate getting emotional watching this, it really struck home on so many levels. I did not realize how much I needed to hear this at this point in time.

[@AnyaChuri]

Playing it over and over again! Trying to absorb all of those six minutes!

[@rohitmathewcherian]

Great message..I am one of those who studied for one thing and work in a completely different field..thanks for sharing...I hope more employers and schools are listening

[@MariaSliwa77]

This is brilliant and practical. THANK YOU!!!

[@ebenezern.o.mensah336]

Google Data Analytics. Thanks, this video has a lot of insight. Thanks Jason!

[@SannieLee-de6wx]

coming here from the data analytics course too. I'm a college student who studies in Finance, and trying to built more ability to get a job after graduated. And this speech really encouraged me a lot ! Thanks Jason!

[@forestdump7399]

thank you omg, all employers/other recuiters need to watch this

[@makarand1985]

Great Speech Jason, recently I used to ignore TED talks due to a lot of vague contains and a lot of personal stories instead of actionable insights, but highly appreciate your to the point precise speech with important 3 points

[@Kevin-yv6jz]

I completely Agree, thank you for this presentation.

[@brannanowens1606]

Loved the speach, thank you Jason Shen for this wonderful insight that I whole heartedly agree with. I was already wanting to do an analysis on this very information and it appears there are some very intelligent people already working it.

[@obed_m16]

AS a newbie in Data Analytics, this speech drives message home. Experience with ability cannot be equated in whatsoever.

[@surejshams]

Awesome speech. Truly inspiring!

[@jazzyjenkins]

The one who really deserves applause is his shirt. I really did enjoy this talk. Great job. Very, very insightful.

[@treshawallace413]

Google analyst course brought me here, This was the best speech and so relatable in this current climate. Well done Jason!

[@achernev]

Seriously! This is the BEST Ted talk I’ve seen lately. So true.

[@fewpoundcory]

I remember that 4 point play in the Oakland A's game. Epic.

[@paolabetancourt79]

Thanks so much! This is an excellent TED talk!

[@opiniononion]

Good talk, however this method requires much more time and effort from the employers and most just don't know, want or care about changing

[@MeanwhileElsewhere]

So true! Great talk.

[@TheaHo]

Thank you so much guys for sharing your genuine experience.

[@rolandojr.antonio6855]

He is a good speaker, he talks clearly. And I envy his body build, 😁 thank you Jason for this very informative talk.

[@boniface7729]

Google data analytics course led me here, Jason that's an insightful speech and well presented.

[@AzlianaLyana]

Great speech! Thank you for inspiring others, God bless you Jason Shen.

[@ronakmehta8845]

Azliana Lyana I think u may also do that.. It is simple as that

[@gloryumezurike5380]

I’m here from the Coursera course🎉 I’m getting insights to SHOW MY SKILL to employers rather than just the regular CV. Thank you Jason

[@jurixenglishlinguistics3195]

Great motivational speech! Thanks for sharing!

[@sofylicioussr.3209]

Super inspirational, thank you Jason

[@kezonmcneill]

Very powerful information. Thanks for the great video.

[@ChetanVithlani]

Awesome, short and precise!

[@user-oy5rv8tb3q]

Great speech. Thank you for sharing.

[@aljohnbituin0219]

Self-Reflection: Examples of great presentations - Done

[@KiranVarri]

nice narrative & examples :) Thank you Jason 👍

[@nickperil4595]

What a nice speech! Great inspiration.

[@lanshgawy]

I got interested in your world and got optimistic when you said the quarter of people who work what did the studied thank you

[@Anirtep04]

Great talk yet; hiring professionals need to hear this!

[@Smartsexyntalented21]

Right!!!!!! Omg I have been saying this but don’t have a big enough platform to bring the change. Two degrees and a cert that I am trying my hardest to use. Honor Roll Student since grade school. Still Struggling!!

[@lindenTV24]

loved this presentation, it was engaging and inspiring

[@olgarudina1460]

As someone who’s developed a great stack of tech hard skills on her own and gets rejected because of having worked as an executive assistant, I cannot imagine how much I agree with this man.

[@tdona77]

Great Lecture!!

[@hoangkimviet8545]

This video is very meaningful for college students :0

[@kateshungi8945]

Hoàng Kim Việt ha

[@Chi_9999]

Hoàng Kim Việt especially for Vietnamese students

[@AnnafromHungarylvNW]

I find this very disturbing. I work very hard only to get a degree, but most of what I learn at university will be useless at my workplace.A qualification doesn't qualify for anything and I will either work myself into something totally new, or throw out my years of studying. And I study mathematics, not art. The problem is that things have switched up from what he's saying: your studies are only an application test and your actual knowledge is whatever you learned by yourself in your free (expensive) time.

[@Ananaspomidorka]

Well, at least ability to study (anything) is very helpful right now. Your brain will be used to eat a lot of info and process it which is a vital skill nowadays. Don't make my mistake, after graduation I stopped educating myself and fell behind. It was so difficult to start learning again. Good luck!

[@hoangkimviet8545]

Ananaspomidorka Thank you :0

[@beckywaytoomuch]

This was a really wonderful talk!

[@sudheerahmed6529]

need to discover yourself before discovering the world ...great Job sir

[@mubaraksani7623]

Great speech, thank you for this wonderful inspiring given to us.

[@juliab967]

What useful content and insights for those on the job hunt!

[@matrixphijr]

"Until we get a holistic view of someone, our judgment of them will always be flawed." Pretty powerful.

[@oladaeyo]

I am here from the Google Data Analytics Specialization. Examples of great spoken presentations.

[@dapursukabeda]

Thank you for.sharing this

[@tyspeaks6104]

We are living in a new age ! You don't have to go to college in order to be successful. Find what you absolutely love to do, something that you are passionate about!! AND DO THAT! Don't do what your parents and teachers think is best for you , do what YOU think is best for YOU. Do your due diligence of course, continue to grow and learn everyday and just do what makes you happy ! Find a way to automate what you do and make a steady stream of income doing it! The world is so much more than what we were taught it was.

[@jamesashton2291]

Thanks man. Can you tell me what your job is?

[@mustaphamuhammed1054]

I was brought here by Google Data Analytics course and this truly inspired me. Nothing much to say rather than to say, THANK YOU JASON.

[@DSmith-ix1xf]

Brilliant presentation!⚡

[@danielk6430]

Good luck to anyone who's trying to find a job and a wise manager/boss!

[@rajbhanawat5654]

1. Expand your search 2. Hire / focus on performance 3. Get the big picture

[@Kukuebe]

Google Data Analytics course brought me here too. Motivated by Jason Shen's TED Talk.

[@eloman1]

Great presentation. I learnt a lot to practice as a Data Analyst.

[@patriciaozioko4448]

Jason, this is awesome

[@wellbodisalone]

This was an excellent speech! 💯

[@OpenSourceDesign]

I was interviewed by Facebook recently to work on their Data Center as a Building Architect. The people that interviewed me are highly experienced on LinkedIn but it's clear that they didn't know what they were doing after speaking to them. This field is constantly changing, highly technical and if you don't keep up you become a bs artist. I wanted to speak deeply about building data structures and digital twin concepts, but I knew it was over their heads. At the end, I didn't get the job and was really disappointed by Facebook and how low level their team is. These top companies are not necessarily hiring the best.

[@bernadobruno3021]

I'm so sorry for everybody in a bad situation and people who doesn't have a job but there are still ways you can work from your home and earn money

[@user-me5tu2tx2w]

very good video, ability will always be a very strong point in anything you are going to do.

[@a.mary90]

Great Ted talk !

[@zawyelinnlibrary]

Thank you.

[@ch4.hayabusa]

A short awesome talk.

[@pradiptac3315]

Very inspiring .

[@mirrorstech4555]

here from google data analytics certification. Great talk Jason

[@mohamed6885]

"Let's stop equating experience with ability, credentials with competence, let's stop settling for the safe familiar choice and leave the door open for someone who could be amazing"

[@francisngegba4001]

Great piece of presentation as Google Analytics brought me here also. Appreciated to know what is required of "Tell me About yourself" amongs others.

[@MysticDonBlair]

I need you to fill out our online application first.

[@jonathanrios3214]

I could not agree more!

[@ygprmn_id]

well said!

[@anthonychilaka]

Thank you Google for tagging the Analytics course on presentation. Saved to my playlist.

[@FavorytB]

Google Data Analytics led me here, Inspiring speech. Thank you Jason for sharing your insights

[@onyeka_ezeneche]

Highlights on ability..not experience. Good talk!

[@bonniesayles2949]

I have worked in about a dozen jobs, all related to my bachelor's degree in Communications: newspaper copy editor and reporter, publications director for medical university and medical centers, Chamber of Commerce VP, literacy nonprofit executive, and now English Language Learner teacher.

[@tomtom9889]

like he said, the exception, not the rule

[@joyjoyoo]

Ha. I got the same degree but I'm now a social worker in training

[@digitalwealth_]

Thanks Jason. Google data analytic brought me here and it was worth it!

[@chinyereihemeje8888]

I absolutely agree

[@Indian.913]

Awesome video

[@michaelrubio15]

Great tips👌

[@omotoyosi8406]

Such a beautiful video. Google Data Analytics Brought me here!

[@Chi_9999]

That he said is definitely true. I love this video for students who are preparing to enter universities . Also, it makes parents change their thinkings about children' s study. It is practical . We should develop with our own talent. On other the hand, students could re-choose another favorite which is suitable with their ability at availible if they did in wrong choice. Don't too late! Why so? Because they will good jobs with their real competence.

[@men.nguyen]

DAU PHONG RANG well said. how about s.o even don't like what they are studying in college and also have no idea about what they wanna re-choose. it's something like blinded mind.

[@Chi_9999]

Mến Nguyễn. For a example, some students leave their universities studying in to pursue another aspect. Maybe they realized it is unsuitable for them. Vietnamese students is a typical example. One more reason, when they just passed their general certificate secondary education and then around a month later, they continue to choose a university/ college and a major to study . They don't have enough time to think about them carefully. For countries in the world, students have an experienced year as gapyear for them to discover what they like or not before entering the university. As a result, many students feel appointed at their study. Hope that Vietnamese students will be get that short time as foreign ones do soon.

[@men.nguyen]

DAU PHONG RANG a gap year or not it's just up to you. vietnamese students are able to get a year off as well. (it's not popular).

[@user-vp3he2ov8h]

Thank you jason. nice talk and i believe you all the way. Google data analytics brought me here

[@heyisforhumans]

Good one

[@cassandraadebayo6531]

Great speech .. truly the world is evolving, at every point in ones life, always showcase your ability and belief in YOU. Google data analytics lead me here and glad it did.

[@Tsukiko.97]

As Thomas Sowell has once said "equip yourself with skills others are willing to pay for."

[@brainxtc2171]

Abyssinia Empire yes. Or better yet just inherit it like trump, mccain, Romney, etc.

[@biggus6633]

And what skills are those?