Canditech co-founder Nir Dovrat explains how skills-based assessments and realistic job simulations are reshaping recruitment – and why traditional résumés no longer cut it.
At the Recruiting Innovation Summit, Nir Dovrat didn’t mince words about the state of hiring: résumés are broken, and the old recruitment methods aren't keeping up. His solution is Canditech, an all-in-one hiring platform that evaluates candidates based on real-world skills, not outdated documents.
Why Résumés No Longer Matter
According to Dovrat, résumés fail because they rarely reflect a candidate’s true abilities. Instead, they highlight superficial credentials or degrees that don’t guarantee job success.
"In my previous role as a startup CEO, hiring became my biggest challenge," Nir shared. "I would see hundreds of résumés and wonder, 'Who are these five candidates we’re interviewing next week, and how did we choose them?' Traditional methods felt random and inaccurate."
He pointed out that filtering candidates by education or experience alone misses incredible talent. Canditech was born out of this frustration, designed specifically to identify genuine skills through practical assessments instead of résumé guesswork.
Real-World Job Simulations Make Hiring Better
One of Canditech’s core methods is job simulation. These simulations place candidates into scenarios they'll face on the job, providing accurate measures of their skills and readiness.
"Simulations are powerful because they give candidates a realistic preview," Nir explained. "If a candidate sees the job tasks and realizes it’s not what they expected, they self-select out. This saves everyone’s time."
He described one client who screened 1,500 candidates for two developer roles using job simulations. Within two weeks, they filled both positions with highly qualified people who, under traditional résumé screening, would never have been selected for interviews.
Skills-Based Hiring Reduces Turnover
Nir highlighted another advantage: job simulations reduce employee turnover. Clearly showing candidates what a role involves ensures they start the job fully informed about daily responsibilities.
"We worked with a client hiring consultants," Nir shared. "Candidates imagined glamorous roles advising executives, but the real job involved detailed Excel analyses. Our job simulations set clear expectations, dramatically reducing turnover."
Candidates who fully understand a role from the outset stay longer and perform better, saving companies significant time and money.
AI is Powerful, but Recruiters Still Matter
Dovrat acknowledged the current AI hype but remains practical about its role in recruiting. While AI streamlines processes, Nir believes human judgment remains essential.
"I strongly believe in human-in-the-loop systems," Nir said. "AI dramatically boosts efficiency, but humans are still critical to decision-making."
He emphasized AI’s value as a productivity booster rather than a replacement for recruiters. Used correctly, AI lets recruiters focus on strategic tasks rather than repetitive processes.
The Value of Genuine Conversations at Conferences
While technology is central to Nir’s business, face-to-face interactions remain irreplaceable. He traveled from Israel to attend the Recruiting Innovation Summit, specifically to engage with clients and other recruiting leaders directly.
"For me, real conversations are gold," Nir explained. "Hearing firsthand what clients need, their struggles, and successes – that’s invaluable."
These genuine exchanges help Canditech continuously refine its offerings based on actual recruiter needs, rather than guessing from a distance.
Curiosity and Continuous Learning Define Successful Hiring
Continuous curiosity has been key to Canditech’s success. Before launching, Nir’s team spent two years speaking to recruiters, psychologists, and hiring managers to deeply understand industry challenges.
"HR tech is crowded because everyone experiences hiring pains," Nir said. "We spent years listening to real problems before building our product."
Nir encourages recruiters to adopt similar curiosity, constantly questioning assumptions and actively learning from each candidate's interaction and market conversation.
The Bottom Line: Skills Trump Credentials
Nir Dovrat’s insights are clear: Skill-based hiring is no longer an option – it’s essential. Job simulations, thoughtful use of AI, real conversations, and ongoing curiosity define recruiting’s next chapter.
Companies stuck in old methods will lose top talent to competitors who prioritize actual abilities over outdated résumé assumptions.
This article is part of Chatterworks’ exclusive series, capturing real insights from talent leaders at the Recruiting Innovation Summit.
