New Zealand's talent shortage may be less 'a shortage' than a tendency to overlook the hidden potential in people who don't fit within the narrow bias that has dominated employer thinking for decades. A change in approach to recruitment is sorely needed. Many employers are obsessed with finding the right 'fit.' This obsession is a significant reason behind much of New Zealand's so-called talent shortage. In such an environment, the best strategy is to become more conscious of how quality talent may be hidden from sight due to personal bias and the inertia of 'business as usual.’ New Zealand is presently struggling with a talent and labour shortage as it emerges from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic. The NZIER's Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion showed that lack of labour is the biggest constraint for businesses. Worldwide staff shortages leave New Zealand companies with little choice but to rethink how they look for talent. Seeking the right 'fit' risks falling prey to people's biases since the right person often requires the minimum change from the business itself. A candidate becomes attractive simply because they can slot into business-as-usual and hit the ground running. While that's mostly fine during normal times, it unnecessarily limits the pool of