Square Peg + Round Hole = The Perfect Fit

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

At Source One Hospitality, one of our core commitments is simple: never force a square peg into a round hole. If a candidate doesn’t meet a client’s standards or prerequisites, we don’t submit them. Period.

But hospitality is a people business, not a résumé business. Sometimes, the best hires come from looking beyond the paper.

Trusting what you can’t always measure

Recently, one of my prior candidates referred someone for an open Catering & Events Sales Manager role. On paper, he didn’t seem like the right fit. He had once been a chef, but had been out of the industry for years and was now in the mortgage business. My client, an amazing operator, wanted someone “plug and play.” Naturally, I was skeptical.

Still, I agreed to the interview. My goal, as always, was to evaluate fit - objectively and honestly. I usually start by identifying potential objections (mine or my client’s), working through those before focusing on the positives.

But as we spoke, my skepticism started to fade. His personality, natural relationship-building skills, organization, leadership, and sales acumen all stood out.

Sometimes the strongest candidates aren’t the ones with the most obvious experience. They’re the ones who connect the dots differently.

And then it clicked: those same qualities were exactly what this role demanded. His background as a chef (someone who had worked events) also erased any doubt that he could handle the chaos of restaurants and large-scale catering.

An Unexpected Match

The client’s goal was clear: find someone who could sell, build relationships, and lead people. I had another candidate who was more of a sure thing with more recent relevant experience, but this first candidate’s dynamic personality and potential to grow the business set him apart. After a full interview process, the restaurant group’s leadership team unanimously chose him.

As of today, he’s accepted their offer and is thrilled to begin this new chapter.

The client is equally grateful for the match and confident in the energy and business he’ll bring.

The Takeaway

Resumes only tell part of the story.

If I had judged this candidate solely on paper, he never would’ve had the chance to shine. By looking deeper and listening to his story, understanding his transferable skills, and connecting the dots, we helped make a perfect match happen.

If this process taught me anything, it’s that recruiting has never really been just about filling jobs. It’s about finding people who belong.