Too many candidates look the same
Growing up in the U.S., most of us wanted to fit in, be accepted, and make friends. No one wanted to stand out and be the “weird kid” in class.
Heck, no one wanted to be labeled as the smart kid, the nerd, or the geek in school either. Sad, huh?
Maybe it was a Midwestern thing in the U.S., but it wasn’t cool to be smart (at least not in the 70s and 80s). Instead, people wanted to be popular and athletic.
Being passionate about learning wasn’t “cool” until I went to college and grad school. Then, I moved to Silicon Valley and discovered an entire culture that worshipped smart people and tech geeks.
The kids who stood out in school (and were sometimes bullied) suddenly had a fantastic place to fit in. They are surrounded by others just like them.
Unfortunately, this environment creates an entirely new problem when you are competing with others for desirable jobs. When everyone fits in, no one stands out.
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