Hire an attitude, not experience and qualification | Jimmy Mathew | GM & Head – HR & Company Secretary | South Indian Bank

Hire an attitude, not experience and qualification !

This statement resonates deeply with how we approach hiring at South Indian Bank. While qualifications and experience can be assessed from a resume, the real differentiators—resilience, curiosity, adaptability, and integrity – reveal themselves through attitude. In a service-oriented sector, it’s often not what a person knows, but how they think, respond, and connect that makes the impact. Our customer-centric culture demands not just technical capability, but also emotional intelligence. Over the years, we’ve reshaped our hiring assessments to go beyond credentials and evaluate a candidate’s alignment with our values. Especially as we build a younger, future-ready workforce, we are investing in those who are willing to learn, collaborate, and evolve, rather than simply those with lengthy CVs. In short, attitude might not replace experience and qualification, but the right attitude can multiply the value of the skills someone brings to the table.

What should Freshers do in their first 90 days in the workplace?

The first 90 days are about laying a strong foundation. My advice to freshers: listen actively, observe keenly, and ask meaningful questions. Freshers must focus on learning—about the business, the team, the unspoken rules of the workplace. We encourage new employees to be observant, open to feedback, and intentional in relationship-building. Transition from campus to corporate is a big one, so the fresher’s priority should be understanding company culture, adapting and active learning. Showing initiative – whether in taking on responsibilities or suggesting improvements – helps build early credibility. The goal is to become dependable, engaged, and aligned with the larger purpose of the organisation.