When hiring in the financial sector, recruiters often fall back on the CV out of habit, even though research shows that cognitive fit is a much better predictor of success in the workplace. Assessing the individual as a whole (skills, behavior, motivation, cognitive fit, and professional experience) would provide the most accurate prediction. However, reasons for sticking to only the CV usually include a lack of time for new methods and the weight of tradition. The problem here is that the heavy focus on professional experience creates very narrow criteria, overlooking qualified professionals in the financial sector. This makes it difficult to find new talent, which puts pressure on retaining current staff.root.
Risketeers decided it was time to tackle the problem. Instead of fighting symptoms, they started at the source: assessing the person as a whole. At Risketeers, they don’t believe in recruiting based on only professional experience—they believe in skills, behavior, and motivation, too. With the NeurOlympics, our game-based cognitive assessment, they gain an objective view of a candidate’s natural suitability for a role. Candidates with an aptitude and interest for the financial sector but who may not have the required background yet are given the opportunity to complete a talent development program at Risketeers, which includes gaining real-world experience at one of their clients.
It doesn’t stop at recruitment: the NeurOlympics results are also used for personal and career development. Based on natural brain preferences, you can accurately determine where an employee’s growth potential lies. Even candidates who do not directly transition into the talent development program are not left to their own devices. They receive coaching from Risketeers to discover which path truly aligns with their Brain Profile. Therefore, this method contributes to the growth of the entire labor market.
The impact of this new approach is clearly visible:
Clients, candidates, and coaches are responding enthusiastically. There are no more long questionnaires or biases, only objective brain measurements that contribute to growth. As Sjoerd Blom, founder of Risketeers, puts it:
"Self-awareness is the foundation for development and allows both individuals and teams to grow."
The financial sector of the future will not be built on dusty CVs, but on the cognitive power of people. By replacing bias with objective data, Risketeers is creating a sustainable pipeline of talent. It is proof that when you invest in understanding the human brain, you don’t just fill vacancies, you lay a foundation for long-term success and job satisfaction.
Jan Willem Wiersma – strategic recruitment advisor at the Municipality of Rotterdam
