Ynon Kreiz, the newly appointed co-CEO of Paramount Skydance, is encouraging young professionals to look beyond résumés, screens and conventional career paths. Kreiz, who also serves as CEO of Mattel, recently shared how a casual interaction at a café led him to discover an aspiring technology professional whose résumé did not initially reflect his potential.
Kreiz had noticed a barista’s efficiency and engagement with customers while working from a local café. After speaking with him, he learned that the man was an Iranian refugee who had left his family at 21, spent years in Turkey seeking a U.S. visa and eventually arrived in the United States alone. Although his work history was mainly in cafés and restaurants, he held a computer science degree and had taught himself English.
Impressed by his determination and resilience, Kreiz introduced him to Mattel, where he was hired as an intern. He reportedly became one of the company’s highest performers and later joined its global technology team full-time. For Kreiz, the experience demonstrated why potential cannot always be measured through a traditional résumé.
His message to Gen Z is straightforward: “Look up and make eye contact.” As remote work, video calls and artificial intelligence increasingly shape professional life, Kreiz believes genuine conversations and personal relationships are becoming even more valuable. He also encourages young professionals to challenge conventions and take chances on ideas that may not have an obvious precedent.