Hire Quality

The workplace revolution is here, and Anessa Fike, CEO & Founder of Fike + Co, is leading the charge. Whether you consider her book, “The Revolution of Work: F*ck the Patriarchy,” her organization that overhauls event experiences to emphasize inclusivity, Project Purple Light, or her innovative approach to hiring practices (spoilers: cover letters are out), Anessa’s unique approach is a breath of fresh air in the talent industry. Gear up for a Hire Quality conversation guaranteed to get you thinking outside of the box!

Key Takeaways:

• Takeaway One: In today's fast-paced corporate world, talent acquisition teams must transcend their traditional functions and adopt a strategic mindset.

• Takeaway Two: The creation of safe, harassment-free atmosphere at HR and talent conferences isn't just a matter of policy – it’s about active engagement and immediate support.

• Takeaway Three: The job market is an ever-changing landscape, and Anessa Fike’s tips on aligning skill sets and elevating the candidate experience is crucial in today’s talent scene.

• Takeaway Four: Recruiters should keep an eye on emerging trends and adapt their practices accordingly to stay relevant.

Jump into the conversation:

[05:36] Revolutionizing work by challenging status quo.

[11:45] Transitioning from journalism to recruiting in pursuit of flexibility.

[16:46] How to efficiently juggle writing a book, working, traveling, and networking.

[28:01] Some organizations can't be changed and that means it’s time to move on.

[32:52] Promoting safety through Operation Purple Light movement.

The Description:

What if you could be certain that every candidate felt valued from the moment they wrote an application to the moment they’re onboarded? In this episode of “Hire Quality,” host Devyn Mikell hears how Spartanburg Regional Health System’s Chief Talent Officer, Chantel Greenfield, puts the candidate experience first while attracting talent for a major healthcare system. Learn the importance of knowing your value both as a candidate and as a recruiter in this no nonsense episode.

Key Takeaways:

• Takeaway One: Don’t chase dollars. Health recruiters need to focus on seeking out candidates who genuinely care and understand the gravity of their potential impact on patients’ lives.

• Takeaway Two: Recruiters shape organizational culture. According to Chantel, perfecting the recruiting process can make or break a candidate's perception of your organization

• Takeaway Three: COVID-19 has amplified our appreciation for jobs that align with our deeper values, especially in essential roles like healthcare and teaching.

• Takeaway Four: By humanizing the recruitment process and sharing candidate stories, you can drive engagement and foster a sense of community.

Jump into the conversation:

[08:46] How to listen, understand, and address candidate needs effectively.

[21:16] How Chantel transitioned from HR to healthcare.

[35:59] Leadership lessons learned from a nurse.

There’s no question that new technologies are making the recruitment process more efficient, but what kind of experience do they create for talent? In this episode of “Hire Quality,” host Devyn Mikell hears directly from ibex SVP of Talent Acquisition Lori Mix about her strategies for balancing AI innovations with the human element that makes for a great candidate hiring process. We’ll also dive into her leadership approach, which focuses on continuous improvement and data-driven decisions.

Key Takeaways:

• Takeaway One: The right person for the job isn’t always the one with the most experience on paper. Lori values emotional intelligence and the ability to learn over traditional resume credentials.

• Takeaway Two: Automation and AI are inevitable forces in the modern recruitment landscape, but Lori insists that we must not lose the personal touch that candidates crave.

• Takeaway Three: Doing recruitment at scale can be a massive challenge. Lori shares how adjustments following an oversight won her the CEO award, demonstrating the value of resilience and informed strategy adjustment in talent acquisition.

• Takeaway Four: Lori’s roadmap to talent acquisition success involves being deeply connected with stakeholders, driving actions with data, and committing to never-ending improvement.

Jump into the conversation:

[04:54] Improving employee and candidate experience through technology.

[15:44] Earn your seat at the table by delivering.

[23:32] Quick communication with candidates is crucial for success.

If you believe that employees are your greatest asset, then talent acquisition is the most important part of any organization. In this episode of “Hire Quality,” host Devyn Mikell talks with BECU’s Head of Talent Acquisition, Steve White, about how he has evolved hiring practices at a major credit union to fulfill its mission to promote financial freedom. Steve draws upon his experiences not only at BECU but also at companies like Lockheed Martin and Microsoft to share his best practices for hiring (and keeping) top talent.

Key Takeaways:

• Takeaway One: Speed is a game-changer, especially in hyper-competitive markets like tech. Being first to offer can make all the difference in landing top talent.

• Takeaway Two: Conveying your organization's mission to potential candidates can be transformational. Candidates want to rally around a purposeful brand and vision.

• Takeaway Three: Understanding Hiring Managers’ needs is the first step to creating an organization optimized for speed, quality, and diversity in recruitment.

• Takeaway Four: Talent Acquisition deserves a seat at the table. This is achieved by aligning your recruiting team with the organization’s priorities.

Jump into the conversation:

[06:06] BECU aims to make a significant impact for its members starting with its recruiting efforts.

[12:23] Slow hiring can lead to losing candidates.

[29:46] How to shift focus from talent to business priorities.

[32:19] Alignment with priorities is crucial for organizational success.

What does it take to go from teaching pre-school to recruiting for Fortune 500 companies? In this episode of "Hire Quality," host Devyn Mikell sits down with the multi-talented Shannon Zengler, Director of Human Resources for Valeo Financial Advisors, to dive deep into her career path from preschool classrooms to the boardrooms of the finance world. Shannon shares her firsthand experience on successfully scaling talent acquisition, from her early days at the bustling call centers of GEICO to shaping human resource strategies at Valeo, one of the largest financial planning firms in Indianapolis.

Key Takeaways:

• Takeaway One: Shannon’s story is a powerful reminder for talent acquisition managers and recruiters that the foundations of a successful career in recruitment often lie in the strengths of relationship-building.

• Takeaway Two: Whether you’re recruiting for a small start-up or a Fortune 500 company, there’s value in being nimble and creating efficient processes.

• Takeaway Three: The pandemic has revolutionized the work environment, making transparent communication with candidates about remote work expectations absolutely critical.

Jump into the conversation:

[07:42] How to adopt an employee-centric approach to your HR and retention strategy.

[16:37] Simply put, recruiting is about understanding people and skills.

[18:16] How to transition from large companies to small start-ups.

[32:00] Flexibility and communication are essential for quality hybrid work.

As a veteran of tech recruiting, Brian Fink, Talent Acquisition Partner at McAfee, champions techniques that eliminate bias from hiring practices. In this episode of Hire Quality, host Devyn Mikell recounts Brian’s recount lessons drawn from Brian’s rich history working (and recruiting) for tech titans including X (formerly Twitter), Amazon, and McAfee. Whether you’re fine-tuning your talent acquisition strategy or seeking inspiration to foster diversity, Brian’s insights are gold.

Key Takeaways:

• Takeaway One: A tandem interview approach where two interviewers ask different questions and later sync up to evaluate candidates through a broader lens, can elicit more genuine responses from candidates and ensure your hiring decisions are well-rounded.

• Takeaway Two: A thorough pre-call designed to facilitate meaningful interactions can help your recruiting team to improve the overall quality of your candidate pool.

• Takeaway Three: The “two and five rule” is a pledge to update candidates within two and five days after their interviews, vastly improving the candidate experience.

Jump into the conversation:

[05:32] How to ensuring candidates are seen and heard.

[06:50] Rigorous preparation leads to effective recruitment process.

[19:51] The pivotal influence of mentorship.

[30:00] Why rejecting candidates with personalized feedback is crucial.

With experience at Living Social, NPR, and Amazon, Datadog’s Pete Radloff has built a career on talent acquisition strategies that challenge outmoded recruiting systems. In this episode of Hire Quality, Pete and host Devyn Mikell discusses the finer points of talent acquisition management in the tech industry. Hear how Pete is upgrading the technical recruiting practices at Datadog with ah human-centered approach.Don't miss out on Pete's unique viewpoint on progressing beyond linear career paths, embracing development and effective recruiting tool utilization. Tune in for a session that promises not just motivation but actionable strategies to elevate your talent acquisition strategies.

And don’t forget to answer the question of the week for a chance to win prizes from Qualifi!

We’re long overdue for hiring practices that champion diversity. In this episode of Hire Quality, host Devyn Mikell chats with Rachel Kitty Cupples, a trailblazing senior recruiter at Textio who prioritizes diversity and authenticity in the recruitment process. Rachel provides a masterclass in empathy-driven recruitment. Hear how she tackles language bias at Textio and why waiting for perfection might be your biggest talent acquisition setback. Be prepared to absorb Rachel's infectious enthusiasm for nurturing a recruitment culture that prizes diversity as much as it does talent in this episode of Hire Quality.

And don’t forget to answer the question of the week for a chance to win prizes from Qualifi!

It’s time to rethink your recruiting approach! In this episode of Hire Quality, host Devyn Mikell discusses how Team.AI Co-Founder and CEO, Erin Wilson, empowers recruiters through innovative tech. Erin offers practical steps to help you become a better recruiting leader by resolving common recruitment pain points through data and shared accountability. Learn how to balance a data-informed recruitment approach with a consultative mindset in this forward-looking episode of Hire Quality.

And don’t forget to answer the question of the week for a chance to win prizes from Qualifi!

When it comes to acquiring top talent, retention can be just as critical as recruitment. In this episode of Hire Quality, host Devyn Mikell speaks with Wade Franchville, the adept founder of Harba Solutions Inc, a specialized scientific staffing agency dedicated to the pharma and biotech industries. With wisdom curated from years of battling the industry’s swings, Wade counters the common narrative of blaming generational trends for shortened job tenures. Instead, he attributes the issue to the companies' own actions and practices. Engage with the insightful discussion shedding light on the importance of focusing on other factors beyond salary for attracting and retaining industry talents.

And don’t forget to answer the question of the week for a chance to win prizes from Qualifi!