School of Hiring

In this episode of the School of Hiring, Dr. Mark Smith, founder of A Better Choice Hire and author of A Better Choice: The Manager’s Guide to Skills-First Hiring, joins Konstanty Sliwowski to discuss how outcome-focused and competency-based hiring can transform the way organizations identify top talent. Mark shares his innovative approach to reducing hiring risks, pinpointing leadership potential, and leveraging assessment techniques like role-play to evaluate candidates in real-world scenarios. This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help leaders and hiring managers make more effective, future-proof hiring decisions.

Dr. Mark Smith, is an organizational psychology expert and founder of A Better Choice Hire. With nearly two decades of experience advising top organizations, Mark has redefined how companies approach hiring, shifting the focus from skills to outcomes and competencies that truly drive success.

Mark’s expertise lies in helping organizations minimize hiring risks by evaluating candidates through innovative methodologies such as role-play exercises, which simulate real-world challenges to reveal how candidates perform under pressure. His book, A Better Choice: The Manager’s Guide to Skills-First Hiring, provides a practical framework for managers to make confident, informed decisions.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• Common Recruiting Pitfalls: Why focusing on resumes and “fit” often leads to poor outcomes—and what to do instead.
• Competency-Based Hiring in Action: How companies can shift from assessing skills to measuring competencies that predict performance.
• Identifying Leadership Potential: Key traits and behaviors that signal a candidate’s ability to lead, and how to uncover them during the hiring process.
• Evaluating for Outcomes, Not Promises: Strategies for assessing a candidate’s ability to deliver results in uncertain and high-stakes environments.
• Role-Play Assessments: How Mark’s approach simulates real-world challenges to evaluate a candidate’s readiness and problem-solving capabilities.
• Minimizing Bias in Hiring Decisions: Techniques to create a fair and effective hiring process that prioritizes competency and outcomes over assumptions.

This conversation is packed with actionable insights for leaders, HR professionals, and hiring managers looking to build teams that can deliver tangible results and thrive in any environment.

About Dr. Mark Smith:
Dr. Mark Smith is a leading expert in organizational psychology and the founder of A Better Choice Hire. His innovative assessment methodologies help organizations hire for outcomes and competencies rather than traditional metrics like resumes or skills alone. Mark’s latest book, A Better Choice: The Manager’s Guide to Skills-First Hiring, outlines practical strategies for modern hiring practices that drive team and organizational success. Learn more about Mark at abetterchoicehire.com and connect with him on LinkedIn.

About the Host, Konstanty Sliwowski:
Konstanty is the founder of the School of Hiring, a platform dedicated to helping leaders master competency-based hiring as a strategic advantage. With nearly 20 years of experience in talent acquisition and building high-performing teams, Konstanty shares actionable insights that empower leaders to achieve better hiring outcomes. Connect with Konstanty on LinkedIn and visit schoolofhiring.com.

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and www.caissarecruitment.com/blog

In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to have Andrea Petrone, a seasoned advisor and coach to Fortune 500 leaders, high-growth companies, and transformative mid-sized firms. Andrea brings over two decades of global experience, having worked across seven countries and directly advised more than 250 C-suite leaders.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Shifting to a Legacy Mindset: Andrea dives into the concept of hiring beyond immediate needs, sharing how leaders can align hiring decisions with a long-term vision. We explore specific traits and qualities that support building teams who will carry the organization into the future.
• Balancing “Fit” and “Innovation”: A central theme of the episode is the “fit versus innovation” hiring dilemma. Andrea shares practical insights on how leaders can balance hiring people who integrate with the existing culture while still driving fresh ideas and innovation, particularly in high-stakes environments.
• Uncovering Hidden Leadership Potential: How can executives identify leadership potential that might not be immediately apparent in a standard interview? Andrea shares his tried-and-true techniques for finding candidates who possess not only the right skills but also the qualities that will help them thrive and lead during transformative times.
• Hiring for Resilience and Adaptability in Uncertain Times: In today’s unpredictable business landscape, resilience and adaptability are crucial. Andrea discusses key traits that signal a candidate’s ability to weather change and shares interview strategies to help uncover these qualities.
• Leveraging Cultural Diversity in Global Teams: Drawing from his extensive international experience, Andrea sheds light on the unique challenges and advantages of hiring within culturally diverse teams. He shares actionable advice on how leaders can turn cultural diversity into a competitive advantage, especially during times of rapid change.

If you’re interested in hiring not just for today but for the legacy you want to create, this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice from one of the most trusted voices in the field.

About Andrea Petrone:
Andrea is a strategic advisor and executive coach with a focus on leadership and organizational transformation. Over his career, he has supported leaders in building resilient, impactful teams that thrive in uncertain and complex environments. Andrea hosts the The World Class Leaders Show podcast, where he explores topics around leadership, growth, and high-performance teams. You can connect with Andrea and learn more about his work at andreapetrone.com and on LinkedIn.

About Konstanty Sliwowski:
Konstanty is the founder of the School of Hiring, an initiative dedicated to helping leaders master the art and science of hiring as a competitive advantage. With nearly 20 years in talent acquisition and experience founding and exiting two companies, Konstanty’s focus is on equipping leaders with the tools and insights to build high-performing, cohesive teams. Connect with Konstanty on LinkedIn and learn more about his work at schoolofhiring.com.

Listen to This Episode:
Tune in to learn from Andrea Petrone’s wealth of experience and gain practical strategies for hiring with intention and vision. This episode is a must-listen for leaders and founders looking to shape the future of their organizations through strategic hiring.

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and www.caissarecruitment.com/blog

In this episode of The School of Hiring, we dive into a critical but often under-discussed element of Germany’s economic engine—the Mittelstand. This sector of small and medium-sized businesses has been a driving force in Germany's economy for over eight decades, and today we explore the unique challenges and strengths it faces in the realm of recruitment and organizational development.

Our guest, Helene Andreas, brings a wealth of knowledge from her global experience and her recent work within the Mittelstand as an investor, advisor, and, as she calls it, "troublemaker." Over the past four years, Helene has helped these family-owned SMEs shape their organizational structures, adapt to change, and master the “people factor.” Her insights offer a unique look at what makes the Mittelstand’s approach to talent and culture both resilient and adaptive in the face of demographic shifts and increasing labor shortages.

Join us as we explore how Mittelstand companies can effectively find, engage, and retain top talent, how they can reshape their cultures to be performance-oriented, and what future-ready strategies Mittelstand leaders can adopt to navigate the evolving workforce.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• What Sets the Mittelstand Apart in Hiring: Helene shares her insights into the unique strengths and challenges of Germany’s SME sector, from recruitment to talent management.
• Strategies for Talent Attraction and Retention: With labor shortages on the rise, Helene discusses effective methods for finding and keeping the right talent in smaller, family-owned businesses.
• Building a Performance-Oriented Culture: Learn about the specific adjustments Helene has implemented to create a culture that values both performance and long-term resilience.
• The Role of People in Driving Resilience and Adaptability: Helene emphasizes how a people-centered approach helps Mittelstand companies stay competitive in a rapidly changing workforce.
• Future-Ready Advice for Mittelstand Leaders: Helene offers actionable advice on preparing for upcoming workforce challenges, including key mindsets and strategies to thrive in the evolving job market.

Key Questions Explored:

1. What unique strengths and challenges set the German Mittelstand apart in managing talent?
2. How can Mittelstand companies find and retain the right people despite demographic changes and labor shortages?
3. What specific cultural adjustments help create a performance-oriented environment within SMEs?
4. How does a focus on hiring, upskilling, and retention drive resilience and adaptability in these companies?
5. What future-focused strategies should Mittelstand leaders adopt to stay competitive and navigate workforce challenges?

Guest Information:
Helene Andreas is an investor, advisor, and organizational development specialist with extensive experience in both global corporations and Germany’s Mittelstand. With a background spanning multiple countries and cultures, Helene’s approach combines strategic insight with hands-on implementation to help SMEs build resilient, people-centered organizations.

Tune in to gain a unique perspective on the German Mittelstand and learn how to build a high-performing, resilient team ready for the future!

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and www.caissarecruitment.com/blog

In this episode of The School of Hiring, we dive deep into one of the most common frustrations in the hiring process: Why do so many managers feel that recruiters aren’t effective at hiring? Or more to the point, why does the disconnect between recruiters and hiring managers even exist in the first place? Host Konstanty Sliwowski is joined by Lucy Bolin, a recruitment trainer and performance coach who has spent over a decade helping recruiters navigate the complex world of talent acquisition. Together, they unpack the myths, mistakes, and mindset shifts necessary for improving recruitment outcomes. With experience working with recruitment powerhouses like SThree and Michael Page, Lucy brings invaluable insights from both global corporations and startups alike.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Are recruiters really bad at hiring, or is that just a misconception?
• The fundamental difference between recruiters' and managers' roles in the hiring process.
• Common mistakes recruiters make and how to avoid them.
• How recruiters and managers can better align for successful hires.
• The crucial lessons recruiters can learn from hiring managers, and vice versa.

If you’re a manager frustrated by the hiring process, or a recruiter seeking ways to better align with your clients’ needs, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you bridge the gap.

Key Questions Explored:

• Are recruiters bad at hiring, or is that a myth?
• Where does the disconnect between recruiters and managers happen?
• What common mistakes do recruiters make in the hiring process?
• How can recruiters better align with the needs of hiring managers?
• What can both recruiters and managers learn from each other to improve hiring success?

Guest Information:
Lucy Bolin is a recruitment trainer and performance coach with over a decade of experience. She has worked with global companies like SThree and Michael Page, training recruiters across the globe from the UK to the Middle East and Australia. Her work has equipped recruiters with the skills they need to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of hiring.

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and www.caissarecruitment.com/blog

In this episode of School of Hiring, we dive deep into the complexities of hiring and leadership with two of the most seasoned minds in the field: host Konstanty Sliwowski and serial entrepreneur Peter Sorgenfrei. Together, they uncover why successful hiring is more than just an art—it’s a science. Whether you’re a founder, a manager, or an HR leader, this episode offers essential insights to help you avoid the costly mistakes many leaders make when hiring.

Key Topics Covered:

1. The Art vs. Science of Hiring: Discover why relying on intuition or gut feelings in hiring often leads to poor outcomes—and why leaders must balance both the creative and analytical aspects of the process to get it right.
2. Common Hiring Misconceptions: Peter addresses the false confidence many leaders have in their hiring abilities, revealing the harsh truth that nearly 50% of hires leave within 18 months. He shares personal anecdotes and lessons learned from hiring over 300 people.
3. The Personal Cost of Hiring Mistakes: Beyond financial and time-related consequences, bad hires can take a personal toll on leaders. Peter opens up about his turning point in 2019, when burnout forced him to rethink his approach to building teams.
4. The Whole Human Approach: Peter explains his philosophy on hiring for the "whole human," which goes beyond just evaluating skills and looks at the broader characteristics that make someone a sustainable, long-term fit for an organization.
5. Advice for First-Time Founders and Managers: Learn actionable tips on how to avoid common pitfalls in early-stage hiring and how to ensure your team scales effectively with your business.

Top Questions Answered in this Episode:

• What is the biggest misconception leaders have about hiring?
• Can intuition be trusted in the hiring process, or is it often misleading?
• What are the hidden personal costs of making a poor hiring decision?
• How can leaders adopt the “Whole Human Approach” in their hiring practices?
• What should first-time team builders focus on to ensure hiring success?
• Was there a pivotal moment when Peter realized his hiring strategy needed to change?
• How do you codify hiring to make it a repeatable, effective process?

Why You Should Listen:
If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head after a seemingly great hire didn’t work out, or if you’re looking to avoid the expensive and time-consuming mistakes that so many companies fall into, this episode is a must-listen. Peter Sorgenfrei’s unique experience, both as a CEO and a coach, gives listeners an in-depth look at the long-term strategies required to build teams that thrive—not just in terms of output, but in their alignment with your company’s vision and culture.

Episode Highlights:

• "Hiring is not just about filling roles—it’s about shaping the future of your organization."
• "We often hear that hiring is an art, but here’s the truth—it’s also a science."
• "Almost 50% of hires leave within 18 months—what does this tell us about how we’re hiring?"
• "The Whole Human Approach is about hiring people, not just resumes."

Guest Bio: Peter Sorgenfrei is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and scaled six companies, including one from a two-person garage startup to a global operation. With over 300 hires to his name, Peter brings an invaluable perspective on the challenges of building high-performing teams. After a life-altering experience in 2019, Peter turned his focus to coaching founders and CEOs, guiding them in creating sustainable and resilient teams.

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and www.caissarecruitment.com/blog

In today's episode, I am thrilled to welcome Gerrit McGowan, a seasoned entrepreneur and a thought leader in the science of human performance.

Gerrit isn’t your typical entrepreneur. With experience spanning four countries and three continents, Gerrit has built and scaled companies from the ground up, raised millions from investors, and served as interim CEO for multiple organizations. He’s achieved two successful exits and has helped thousands of founders transform their startups into thriving businesses.

But Gerrit’s expertise goes far beyond just building companies. He has a deep interest in the science behind what makes people and businesses perform at their best. His passion for human potential led him to take a sabbatical in his mid-40s to conduct PhD-level research on entrepreneurial flow—the state of peak performance that drives success in high-pressure environments.

Gerrit’s knowledge is not just academic; he has applied these insights in the real world. He has hosted one of Europe’s leading entrepreneurship podcasts, founded a startup accelerator, and served as a peak performance coach with the Flow Research Collective. His approach is grounded in scientific evidence, refined by hands-on experience, and designed to help leaders and founders reach their full potential.

Today, Gerrit is here to share how understanding the science of performance can radically improve how you hire, build, and lead your teams. His insights are not just theoretical—they’re actionable, practical, and proven to work in the real world.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

1. What is Entrepreneurial Flow and Why It Matters
   • Gerrit explains the concept of entrepreneurial flow, a state of peak performance that helps individuals achieve success in high-pressure environments. Learn why understanding this state is crucial for both personal and team productivity.
2. Lessons from Sports Performance for Business Leaders
   • Drawing parallels between sports and business, Gerrit discusses how the strategies used in sports to build high-performing teams can be applied in the corporate world. Discover the key lessons business leaders can learn from sports to enhance their team's performance.
3. Improving Interview and Selection Processes
   • In sports, recruitment is a meticulous process involving scouting, testing, and trials. Gerrit shares how business leaders can adopt similar methods to refine their interview and selection processes, ensuring they hire the right talent for their teams.
4. Practices for Developing and Retaining High-Performing Teams
   • Gerrit outlines key practices from the world of sports that leaders can use to not only hire top talent but also develop and retain high-performing teams. Learn actionable strategies that can be implemented in your organization to foster a culture of excellence.
5. Creating a Supportive Environment for Top Talent
   • Many elite athletes attribute their success to a strong support system and the right environment. Gerrit discusses how leaders can create an environment that not only attracts top talent but also keeps them motivated and committed for the long term.

Connect with Gerrit McGowan on LinkedIn

Connect with Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn

Subscribe to School of Hiring on YouTube

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and www.caissarecruitment.com/blog

In this episode, we dive deep into the strategies that shape successful teams and thriving workplaces. Today’s guest is Felipe Furlan, the CTO of Jimdo, who brings a wealth of experience in building high-performance teams across the globe.

Felipe’s journey from Brazil to Germany, along with his work in both scaleups and dynamic startups, offers a unique perspective on the complexities of hiring in various organizational contexts.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• The Concept of Culture Fit: Felipe breaks down what Culture Fit truly means and how it differs from Culture Add and Culture Adaptability.
• The Evolution of Hiring for Culture: As a former founder and now a tech leader, Felipe shares how his approach to hiring has evolved over time, and the key learnings that have shaped his perspective.
• Culture Add vs. Culture Fit: Hear an insightful example from Felipe’s own experience where prioritizing Culture Add over Culture Fit led to significant breakthroughs in team performance and innovation.
• Assessing Adaptability: Felipe discusses his personal strategies for evaluating whether a candidate can contribute something new while also adapting and growing with the company as it evolves.
• Managing Diverse Perspectives: Learn how to manage and integrate differing perspectives brought by new hires to strengthen, rather than conflict with, the existing team.
• Recruitment Process Alignment: Felipe offers advice on ensuring that your hiring team understands and values Culture Add and Adaptability during the recruitment process.
• Balancing Culture Dynamics in Growth: As companies grow, maintaining the right balance between Culture Fit, Add, and Adaptability can be challenging. Felipe shares his insights on navigating these challenges.

Whether you’re a startup founder, a hiring manager, or simply interested in the nuances of team building, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you refine your hiring strategies.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the School of Hiring for more insights on building successful teams and workplaces!

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and www.caissarecruitment.com/blog

In this highly anticipated episode, we sit down with Olawale Oladunni, the Global Senior Director of Product Design and Research at Delivery Hero. With his extensive background, including his tenure as Head of Digital Experience, Talent Solutions at LinkedIn, Olawale offers a unique perspective on hiring, scaling organizations, and fostering diversity in the workplace.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction: Host introduces Olawale Oladunni and outlines his impressive career, focusing on his roles at Delivery Hero and LinkedIn.
• First Hiring Experience: Olawale shares memories of his first hire and the invaluable advice he would give his younger self about the hiring process.
• Diversity Hiring Challenges: A deep dive into why companies struggle with diversity hiring and practical strategies to overcome these challenges.
• Key Questions Discussed:
  • Increasing the Diversity Pool: Strategies for hiring top talent while enhancing diversity in a tight job market.
  • Interview Transparency: How honest should companies be with candidates about the real state of affairs in the business during interviews?
  • Hiring Managers for Direct Reports: Avoiding the pitfalls when direct reports interview their future leaders.
  • Effective Collaboration with Talent Acquisition (TA): Balancing internal vs. external TA and optimizing collaboration.
  • LinkedIn as a Recruitment Tool: Olawale’s take on whether LinkedIn remains the best platform for finding top candidates.

Guest Info: Olawale Oladunni is a seasoned expert in product design, digital experience, and talent acquisition. His leadership roles at Delivery Hero and LinkedIn provide him with a wealth of knowledge on building effective teams and implementing successful hiring practices.

Special Offer: Don't miss out on the free Hiring Blueprint download available at www.schoolofhiring.com. This resource is designed to help you streamline your hiring process and find the right fit for your team.

Call to Action: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with anyone who might benefit from these insights. For more resources and tips on hiring, visit www.schoolofhiring.com and download the free Hiring Blueprint today.

Subscribe: Stay updated with our latest episodes by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite platform.

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doubleola/

Thanks for Listening!

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and www.caissarecruitment.com/blog

In this episode, we delve into one of the most pressing issues faced by managers and leaders today: hiring the right people. Our guest, Jodi Brandstetter, a bestselling author, speaker, design thinker, and business coach, shares her insights on the common misconceptions and challenges new managers face in the hiring process.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction: We discuss the ego problem around hiring and the difficulty managers face in admitting they need help.
• Statistics: Only 30% of managers receive interview training according to a study by TrainingZone UK, with a LinkedIn poll showing a slightly better but still low 37%.
• Common Misconceptions: Jodi elaborates on the most common misconceptions new managers have about hiring.
• Contributing Factors: Beyond the lack of formal training, Jodi discusses other factors that contribute to hiring struggles.
• Balancing Speed and Fit: Tips for new managers on how to balance the need to hire quickly with finding the right fit in today’s competitive job market.
• Overcoming Stigma: Advice for new managers on overcoming the stigma of asking for help with hiring.

Guest Info: Jodi Brandstetter is a best-selling author, speaker, design thinker, and business coach dedicated to transforming the hiring process. Her insights and expertise provide valuable guidance for anyone involved in hiring.

Special Offer: Don't miss out on the free Hiring Blueprint download available at www.schoolofhiring.com. This resource is designed to help you streamline your hiring process and find the right fit for your team.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with anyone who might benefit from these insights. For more resources and tips on hiring, visit www.schoolofhiring.com and download the free Hiring Blueprint today.

Subscribe: Stay updated with our latest episodes by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite platform.

Connect with Us:

• Konstanty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/
• Jodi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodibrandstetter/

Thanks for Listening!

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and www.caissarecruitment.com/blog

Welcome to the School of Hiring's "Hire Better" podcast. This episode, we explore the complexities of strategic planning in talent acquisition and delve into sustainable growth strategies. We'll analyze the economic benefits of leveraging agencies and the critical decision of transitioning to an in-house Talent Acquisition (TA) team.

Featured Guests:

• Andrew Stow, a talent acquisition expert with two decades of experience, known for his work with VC-backed tech startups and unicorn companies. Andrew is currently leading his own consulting and investment business in Switzerland.
• Ines Currie, a seasoned recruiter specializing in executive and senior talent for tech and product sectors. Ines brings over ten years of experience in driving early-stage and high-growth companies to success.

Key Discussion Points:

1. How Agency Use Can Save You Money as a Business: Exploring cost-effectiveness in recruitment agencies versus traditional hiring processes.
2. When to Hire In-House TA: Identifying the growth stage for establishing an in-house talent acquisition team.
3. Agency vs. In-House: Discussing the unique advantages of agencies and scenarios where in-house teams excel.
4. Sustainable Hiring Practices: Strategies to avoid the hire-fire cycle and promote sustainable hiring.
5. Choosing the Right Agency: Key factors in selecting a recruitment agency for a successful partnership.
6. Balancing Flexibility and Performance: Tactics for maintaining flexibility while ensuring high performance in talent acquisition.
7. Beyond 'Post and Pray': Effective strategies for managing high volumes of applications.

Closing Remarks:
Don't miss the insights from Andrew and Ines, who have collaborated on projects for companies like GetYourGuide and DaWanda (acquired by Etsy), as they share their invaluable experiences in the hiring landscape.

Relevant Hashtags:

• #HireBetterPodcast
• #SchoolOfHiring
• #TalentAcquisition
• #RecruitmentStrategies
• #SustainableGrowth
• #InHouseTA
• #RecruitmentAgencies
• #StrategicHiring
• #TechRecruiting
• #HumanResources

Connect with Us:
Follow our podcast for more insightful episodes on strategic hiring and join the conversation with #HireBetterPodcast. Share your thoughts and experiences in talent acquisition and sustainable growth strategies.

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and www.caissarecruitment.com/blog