My first boss in Cincinnati told me I was hired for my personality, not my resume, and it still bugs me 4 years later

Robert Butler · 2026-09-16T01:55:09.978431+00:00

I was 23 and had just moved to Cincinnati for a job at a small landscaping company. About 3 weeks in, the owner pulled me aside after a crew meeting and mentioned he had picked my application over two guys with more experience because I seemed like someone the customers would like talking to. He moved away 6 months later, so I never got to ask him if he meant it as a compliment or a warning. Now I'm thinking about going out on my own and I keep wondering if I should lean into that or spend the next year stacking up certifications to look better on paper. It's making me second guess every job posting I read. Has anyone else had a boss say something like that and did it end up helping or hurting you down the road?

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My first boss in Cincinnati told me I was hired for my personality, not my resume, and it still bugs me 4 years later | Career Advice - SMM Buzz