In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Kate Esterman, Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Integral Ad Science. Together, they dive deep into the ever-evolving landscape of candidate experience, discussing how market shifts—from candidate-driven to client-driven—impact the way companies engage talent. Kate shares actionable strategies, real-world examples, and her perspective on balancing high-touch human interactions with the scalability of automation, all while maintaining a standout candidate journey.

Whether you're scaling your TA team, facing hiring freezes, or juggling high-volume hiring demands, this conversation is packed with valuable insights for anyone passionate about elevating talent experiences.

Key Takeaways:

• Consistency is Key: Regardless of market conditions, ensure candidates walk away wanting to work with your company—even if they don't get the job.
• Communication First: Regular, transparent communication can't be skipped. A simple follow-up message goes a long way, especially when bandwidth is tight.
• Leverage the Whole Organization: Activate your employees as brand ambassadors and referrers—especially valuable in tight-knit or small markets.
• Be Transparent Early: Set expectations around compensation, timelines, and processes upfront to minimize surprises and drive offer acceptances.
• Personalized Automation: Automation tools are helpful but should never feel robotic—infuse human touch into every automated message.
• Think Long-Term: Build your CRM and talent community today for tomorrow's hires. Candidate experiences linger far beyond the immediate role.

Timestamped Highlights:

• [00:01:00] Kate introduces IAS and their work partnering with major platforms like TikTok & YouTube.
• [00:02:08] How market swings—from candidate-driven to surplus talent—impact candidate experience.
• [00:03:50] Resource constraints and bandwidth challenges: why both hiring booms and slowdowns affect communication gaps.
• [00:05:30] Creative solutions: How IAS doubled referral bonuses and engaged employees as recruiters in niche markets like Dublin.
• [00:08:00] Speed, flexibility, and upfront transparency: The pillars of a great candidate experience, regardless of market.
• [00:12:20] "Follow-Up Fridays": Kate's simple yet powerful hack to prevent candidates from falling through the cracks.
• [00:14:00] Can GenAI and automation improve candidate experience? The fine line between efficiency and personal touch.
• [00:16:30] Why long-term thinking matters: Stories of candidates who declined offers but re-engaged years later.
• [00:22:30] How talent teams can think like marketers—keeping candidates warm through events, brand building, and community engagement.

Quote Highlight:

"No matter what market we're in, every candidate should walk away wanting to work for your company—whether they got the offer or not." – Kate Esterman

Connect with Kate:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/recruitertech