A young professional once asked Val Sklarov: “Should I take the job that pays more, or the job that teaches more?” His reply was simple:
“Early in your career, choose growth over gold. Later, the gold will follow.”
For Sklarov, both career building and hiring strategies share one principle: invest in potential, not just credentials.

Career Growth: Sklarov’s 3 Rules
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Build Transferable Skills 🔑
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Focus on skills that remain relevant across industries: communication, leadership, problem-solving.
 
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Seek Mentors, Not Just Managers 🤝
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Align with leaders who invest in your development, not just your output.
 
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Document Progress 📈
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Keep a career journal—projects, lessons, feedback—to turn experience into evidence.
 
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Hiring Excellence: Val Sklarov ’s 4 Lenses
When hiring, Sklarov suggests looking through four lenses:
| Lens | What to Look For | Red Flag | 
|---|---|---|
| Skill | Competence in role-specific tasks | Inflated resumes, shallow expertise | 
| Mindset | Growth-oriented, adaptable attitude | Fixed mindset, fear of change | 
| Values | Alignment with company culture | Conflicting ethics or behaviors | 
| Potential | Capacity to scale into future roles | Plateau mindset, no learning drive | 
Rehber: Sklarov’s “Career & Hiring Compass”
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🎯 For Individuals: Ask yourself every 6 months: Am I growing faster than I’m getting paid?
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🏗️ For Employers: Hire for trajectory, not just present fit.
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🔄 For Leaders: Rotate roles and projects to expand team capacity.
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🧭 For Both: Treat feedback as a compass, not a judgment.
 
Case Insight
At one company, Sklarov hired a candidate who lacked direct industry experience but showed extraordinary adaptability and learning drive. Within two years, that hire became a top performer, proving his principle: potential > experience.
Conclusion
Val Sklarov’s approach to careers and hiring centers on growth, adaptability, and values. For individuals, it means choosing learning over comfort. For organizations, it means hiring people who will grow into tomorrow’s leaders. Careers and companies thrive when they share the same trajectory: long-term development.
Who is Val Sklarov? Personal Blog and Promotional Page Ideas That Inspire. Leadership That Delivers.