Harvard MBA Michael Bloomberg says ideal hire isn’t an Ivy Leaguer — it’s the kid working 3 McDonald’s shifts to support his siblings

Christy BieberSun, October 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTC

0

Employers are no longer focusing only on your GPA — or even on your degree at all. Instead, skills-based hiring has become a trend, with 71% of employers using this approach at least half the time, likely because the economy is changing with AI and other rapid innovations.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg is one of those employers.

Must Read -

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake. Here’s what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP

A single line on your car insurance policy could be inflating your premium by up to 30% — here's what to change

Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one

Speaking at Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses panel in 2016 along with Warren Buffett, Lloyd Blankfein and Jack Dorsey, Bloomberg made it clear who he would prefer to hire — and the answer wasn’t what you might expect. In fact, his comments went viral on X in October 2026 because they were unusual.

Since Michael Bloomberg owns a majority stake in Bloomberg, L.P., which has over 26,000 employees, his advice isn’t just theoretical. It’s likely shaped by years of on-the-ground experience. So it’s worth listening to his advice whether you’re a worker or hiring manager navigating a rapidly changing marketplace.

Bloomberg said this is the best hire — and it’s not who you think

At the Goldman Sachs panel, Bloomberg made clear he believes getting the “right” people is critical to business success.

“I’ve always said I would like to hire the person whose father never was there, whose mother was in a drug treatment program and he had to work three shifts at McDonald’s to go take care of his siblings,” Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg also explained why he believes this type of candidate is best, stating at the panel that “that’s the kind of person you want — somebody that just, no matter how bad things are, looks on the bright side, takes the bull by the horns, puts in the sweat capital.”

Finally, he said his company shouldn’t be the only one that values hard work over credentials. Others should, too.

Advertisement

Read More: Here’s the average income of Americans by age in 2026. Are you keeping up or falling behind?

Does hard work or a degree matter more?

Bloomberg’s advice makes good sense. Someone working multiple jobs to support a family clearly shows initiative and a go-getter attitude. If they’re doing this in difficult circumstances, without parental guidance, they most likely have some business savvy and could be a positive force.

Unfortunately, while this may be a good idea in theory, the premise could be very hard to execute in practice.

For one thing, the “entry-level” jobs on Bloomberg’s career pages typically require a college degree. Bloomberg himself also has credentials. He attended Harvard for business school.

And it’s not just this company that requires such credentials. About 30% of all jobs in the U.S. require a college degree, and the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce estimates this number will rise to 42% by 2031.

College degree-holders also earn significantly more. Men with bachelor’s degrees earn $900K more in median lifetime income than those with only high school diplomas, while women with bachelor’s degrees earn $630K more.

For many of these workers, a degree gets them in the door and makes a generous income possible. The kid working at McDonald’s could very well end up being a better employee. But the question is whether or not Bloomberg and others are really committed to making the effort to find the people with potential but without degrees.

What To Read Next -

Robert Kiyosaki issued grim warning for baby boomers. Many could be ‘wiped out’ and homeless ‘all over’ the country. How to protect yourself now

Your Social Security ‘Trump Bump’ in 2027 will be one of the biggest in 25 years — but there’s a serious catch no one’s talking about

Dave Ramsey says this 1 indulgent purchase stops Americans from becoming wealthy. Here’s what he recommends instead

The tax breaks in Trump's 'big beautiful bill' expire after 2028. Here are 4 moves to make before the window closes

Get Warren Buffett's best investing lessons, free. Join 250,000 readers getting Moneywise’s sharpest money reporting every week. Subscribe and we’ll send you our guide to the ideas that built Buffett's fortune as a welcome gift.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Money”