Rethinking hiring with Mostofa Adib Shakib

Growing up in Dhaka, Mostofa Adib Shakib developed a strong problem-solving mindset from an early age. Without access to cable television, he spent weeks adjusting an antenna and studying signal patterns to capture a broadcast. His persistence, initially driven by a desire to watch cartoons, later became crucial in overcoming challenges, including funding his education abroad and breaking into the competitive tech industry.

Trial, Error, and Adaptation

Shakib’s first introduction to market dynamics came through virtual asset trading. Using just $5 from his lunch money, he experimented with different strategies, learning through trial and error. Despite losing his investment multiple times, he refined his approach and eventually turned his initial funds into $30,000—an amount insufficient to cover tuition but enough to supplement a scholarship that allowed him to study in the United States.

Mostofa Adib Shakib

At university, Shakib faced another hurdle. Entering his first computer science class with no prior coding experience, he dedicated his winter break to intensive self-learning while his peers were on vacation. “I couldn’t change the past, but I could control how fast I learned,” he said.

Barriers to Employment

For many international students, securing employment presents a greater challenge than academic coursework. At his first career fair, Shakib encountered rejection from companies unwilling to sponsor international applicants. Determined to stand out, he sought alternative methods, founding his university’s first programming club and winning competitions at Princeton and Rice University. These efforts ultimately led to six internship opportunities.

“Sometimes obstacles force you to explore different approaches,” he noted. However, he acknowledged the ongoing struggle for international students. “There’s a mental burden that comes with always having to prove yourself,” he explained. “Each step forward requires constantly demonstrating your value in ways that others take for granted.”

Developing New Pathways

Shakib’s experiences led to the creation of CSB, a platform designed to equip individuals with technical skills and enhance their employability in competitive markets. A key innovation of CSB is its AI-powered interviewer, which allows candidates to practice mock interviews in a simulated setting. The system mimics human interviewers by generating follow-up questions and providing detailed feedback, helping job seekers refine their responses before real-world hiring processes.

Beyond interview preparation, CSB introduced Bangladesh’s first Learn Now, Pay Later (LNPL) model, enabling participants to upskill without upfront costs. The initiative has helped individuals secure high-paying jobs at leading companies like Intel and Microsoft.

Another significant contribution from CSB is ResumeGPT, an AI-powered tool designed to improve resumes and cover letters to meet industry standards. Mohammad Sajib Jahan, a Technical Architect at iWasteNot Systems, tested ResumeGPT against 200 human-written resumes. “Many people pay for ATS-friendly resumes, but ResumeGPT makes that unnecessary,” he reported. “In 194 out of 200 cases, it outperformed human-written resumes. Huge thanks to the creator for such an impactful tool.”

Looking Ahead

As companies continue to navigate hiring challenges, platforms like CSB aim to bridge the gap between skill development and employment. While it remains to be seen whether this model will become a standard, the problem it seeks to address is evident.

For Shakib, these efforts tie back to the lessons he learned in Dhaka. “Every challenge presents an opportunity to adapt,” he said. “The key is to keep refining the approach until it works.” His journey underscores a broader trend in technology—solutions often emerge from those who have personally faced the very challenges they strive to solve.