Ex-Google engineer turned $7.2 billion AI CEO gets thousands of job applications a day but still can't find candidates with a strong work ethic | Fortune

Millions of Gen Z graduates report ghosting and scarce entry-level opportunities, while an AI startup founder reports the opposite: thousands of applications arrive every day. The main differentiator for getting callbacks is not a degree, specific skills, or an impressive resume, but a strong work ethic and demonstrated commitment. The founder measures candidates by how they contribute in group settings, aiming to be the person who gives the most. Candidates with that drive are in high demand, with multiple companies pursuing top applicants simultaneously. The core message is that hard work creates more options and opportunities, echoing leadership examples of sustained effort across jobs, school, and extracurricular activities.

"“Students think it's hard to find jobs, but we think it's hard to find them,” he told Fortune. And it's not because the applications aren't coming in. In fact, Jain said his $7.2 billion AI startup, Glean, is receiving thousands of job applications every day. And the no.1 thing that separates the handful who hear back is not a degree, a skill set, or even an impressive CV-but a strong work ethic."

"“I have a firm belief that hard work solves all the problems,” Jain said. “The yardstick for me is that when I work in a group, I want to be known as the person who gives in the most.” That, he said, is the quality separating the candidates his team can't stop chasing from the ones whose applications never get a second look."

"“If you work hard, you always have lots of choices. Every company wants to work with you.” The best people he talks to have five companies chasing them simultaneously. The problem isn't a shortage of applicants. It's a shortage of the ones who are truly committed."

"“The harder you work, the more options you create for yourself.” CEOs consistently share that the secret to success isn't a one-off lucky break or even an impressive network, but sheer hard work. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon had 2 part-time jobs as a teenager: one at Baskin-Robbins and a second flipping burgers at McDonald's. He juggled all of that with 3 sports and school."

Read at Fortune