All else being equal, would you hire someone described as a book-smart or a street-smart?

October 15, 2007

Posted by chris-lott

( 0 ratings )

Both are very important, but being street-smart indicates that the person is adaptable and can handle real-world situations rather than just artificial scenarios.

Education and on-the-job training can give the person the book-learning and tools needed, as long as he or she has the desire and character to work hard.

I would much rather hire a "hungry" and passionate person with real-world experience than an academic with poor common sense or inadequate people skills. You can always buy a book for a street-smart person

Or you can find yourself an MBA with street-smarts. Since the two aren't mutually exclusive.

Sign in or register to rate or comment on this answer. | Save as Text | Save as PDF | Print