Beyond the Resume: Reinventing Hiring with Michael Campbell

Host (Bret Schanzenbach):
Welcome everyone. I’m Bret Schanzenbach, President and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, and your host today. I’m excited to be joined by Michael Campbell, Founder and CEO of Signal Verified. Great to have you here, Michael.
Michael Campbell:
Thanks, Bret. Great to be here.
Host:
I was looking into your background—starting in Minnesota, right?
Michael:
That’s right. Born and raised in Saint Paul. I later went to the University of Wisconsin, which is a bit of a rivalry move, but it was a great opportunity.
Host:
From there, you eventually made your way to California?
Michael:
Yes. After spending time in the Midwest, I moved to California and have been in San Diego for about four years now—about ten years total in California.
Host:
You also earned an MBA and then a Doctorate in Education from NYU. What led to that?
Michael:
Back in 2020, I was working in tech and was asked to lead an education-focused business line. I didn’t have a background in education, so I went back to school to learn about learning science and pedagogy. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Host:
You also spent significant time in Japan.
Michael:
Yes, over a decade in Tokyo. It started with a study abroad experience in Kyoto during college, which completely changed my life. Later, I moved there with Intel and stayed much longer than expected. I met my wife there, and our kids were born there.
Host:
What brought you back to the U.S. and eventually to North County San Diego?
Michael:
We moved back in 2018, initially to the Bay Area. During the pandemic, we decided to relocate to San Diego. It checked all the boxes—great schools, safe neighborhoods, and a high quality of life.
Host:
You launched Signal Verified last year. Tell us about it.
Michael:
Signal Verified helps hiring managers make better decisions by validating candidates’ skills. Resumes aren’t always reliable anymore, and interviews often reward confidence over actual ability. We provide an evidence-based platform to verify skills through real-world scenarios.
Host:
You describe it as a “Carfax for skills,” which is a great analogy.
Michael:
Exactly. We use industry practitioners to assess whether candidates truly have the skills they claim. This gives hiring managers confidence based on proof rather than assumptions.
Host:
You mentioned interviews often reward confidence, but not necessarily competence.
Michael:
That’s right. Not everyone interviews well, especially neurodiverse individuals. We want to create a system where people can demonstrate their abilities through real work, not just conversation.
Host:
You focus primarily on data analyst roles right now?
Michael:
Yes, including adjacent roles like business analysts and product analytics. These roles require critical thinking, judgment, and the ability to work with data—skills that are essential but often hard to assess.
Host:
There’s a statistic you shared—44% of hiring is just replacing bad hires. That’s huge.
Michael:
It is, and it’s expensive. Our goal is to help companies avoid bad hires and build stronger teams through better hiring practices.
Host:
You’re also exploring ways to help job seekers directly.
Michael:
Yes, we’re developing a product where candidates can complete verified projects and showcase proof of their skills. This helps them stand out in a crowded and often confusing hiring process.
Host:
Where can people learn more?
Michael:
Visit signalverified.net or find me on LinkedIn—Michael Campbell.
Host:
Before we wrap, what do you and your family enjoy doing in North County?
Michael:
We have two kids—our daughter is into dance, and our son plays sports. We also love exploring local restaurants. Carlsbad has an incredible food scene.
Host:
It really does. Michael, thanks for joining us and sharing your story.
Michael:
Thank you, Bret. I appreciate the opportunity.