Hiring Beyond Resumes
Resumes were designed for a world where careers were linear and roles were standardised. DTC careers are neither. The most capable DTC operators often have unconventional backgrounds that look messy on paper but represent exactly the kind of adaptability your business needs.
Why resumes fail in DTC
A resume cannot capture the creative strategist who grew a brand from zero to five million through organic TikTok. It cannot convey the operator who taught themselves supply chain management while running their own DTC brand. The format rewards longevity and brand names, not impact and adaptability.
What to evaluate instead
Ask for work samples, case studies, and portfolios. Have candidates walk you through specific projects with real numbers. Use practical assessments that mirror the actual work they would do in the role. These methods reveal capability far more accurately than a list of previous job titles.
Building a process that surfaces hidden talent
Design your hiring process to attract people who have done the work, regardless of how their career looks on paper. Remove degree requirements. Focus job descriptions on outcomes, not qualifications. And create space in interviews for candidates to show their thinking, not just their credentials.