How do you create a world class hiring experience scaling companies from 1,200 to 12,000 or 8,000 to 50,000? I’m honored to have Cindy Nicola with us today on the podcast, who has done just that. She was kind enough to share her wisdom with us and there are so many great takeaways here that all hiring leaders can learn from. In this episode of Art of Search, Zen and Somer are joined by Cindy Nicola, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Databricks, who has an exceptional track record scalin...

In this episode of "Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series," Zen Mak and I chat with Robert Sears, the Chief Product Officer at Accion Opportunity Fund. Robert is a seasoned C-Level executive, innovator, and serial entrepreneur having been a CEO, COO, and founder of pioneering companies, including one of the first consumer neobanks and a SaaS platform for lending and payments. We talk about the lessons he’s learned from building teams at both startups and big companies, the key things he l...

In this episode, Somer Hackley and Zen Mak dive deep into the delicate dance of determining whether a candidate will say 'yes' to your offer.They explore the subtle signs that reveal a candidate's true level of interest and how to decipher them, emphasizing the importance of asking the tough questions—those we often shy away from—and honing the skill of active listening.

In this episode of the Art of Search Podcast, Zhen Lu, CEO of RunPod, shares his journey from personally interviewing every hire in the early days, to scaling the hiring process as the company grows. Zhen discusses creating the right processes and the trust involved in partnering with leaders to hire their own teams and ensuring culture fit.He emphasizes the importance of not just hiring great people but also providing them with the right direction, support, and onboarding to ensure their suc...

In this episode of "Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series," we sit down with Abbey Perkins, CIO at StoneX, who brings over twenty years of senior technology and financial experience. She discusses StoneX's growth and crucial hiring strategies.Abbey emphasizes the importance of a global hiring approach and cohesive teamwork in high-pressure finance environments. She underscores the value of clear communication, meticulous planning, and thoughtful workforce management strategies. She highlights ...

In this episode, Somer Hackley and Zen Mak debunk the myth of the "perfect candidate" and explore why hiring success is so subjective. Somer shares a compelling story about a candidate who failed with one client but was a perfect fit for another, highlighting the importance of context in the hiring process.We discuss the key factors that make a candidate suitable for a specific role, from company culture to team dynamics, and why there's no such thing as a universally good candidate. Zen cons...

In this episode of "Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series," we're joined by Gill Haus, Chief Information Officer at Chase, who shares his thoughtful approach to hiring. Gill offers a candid look at why hiring should be treated as a full-time commitment.Gill begins by outlining his hiring philosophy. He looks for candidates who are not just skilled but who embody qualities like drive, adaptability, and a strong work ethic. He values humility and the ability to get along with others, seeking ind...

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series, we are joined by Andrew Ramm, former General Manager of Amazon Guided Shopping, who shares his insights on assembling gender-diverse teams. Andrew begins by discussing the fundamental principles of values-based hiring for his teams. Great organizations define their core values. What are the key behaviors that permeate throughout the organization? How do those behaviors drive that success? Then, recruiting efforts should focu...

In this episode of "Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series," we're joined by Mike Gionfriddo, Co-founder and CTO of Tallied. Mike brings a unique blend of experience from both startups and established companies, and he shares his personal approach to hiring with us.Mike kicks off by comparing the challenges of hiring for startups versus larger organizations. He also talks about how he balances assessing candidates with selling the role. He likes to interview candidates last in the process, so h...

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series, we are joined by Kevin Ertell, Founder & CEO of Mistere Advisory, who shares his insights on leadership and team dynamics.Kevin begins by discussing the process of hiring a new manager to enhance team morale and performance. To ensure the best fit, he sought input from the team about their ideal manager. They expressed the need for a leader who could develop them, communicate effectively, and think strategically. Kevin also consulte...

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series, we are honored to be joined by Sudeep Gautam, EVP Chief Technology and Digital Officer at Upbound, sharing his stories and wisdom about all things hiring.Sudeep highlights how each hire is an opportunity to bring in a heavy hitter to drive momentum, and dramatically transform the way people view that role or function. The individuals you hire ultimately shape the future and success of the company.Drawing from his own experiences, Sudeep...

Dan McGuire shares his journey as a self-described recovering bad hirer, emphasizing that hiring goes beyond just interviewing skills. He reflects on past mistakes, where the pressure to hire quickly or being swayed by others led to hiring the wrong person. Dan highlights the importance of viewing hiring as an entire package, focusing on the entire flow of the process. He stresses the need for courage in protecting this process, despite external pressures from executives, boards, or other inf...

George Brady sets the bar high when it comes to hiring and excellent candidate experiences. We are honored to have George join us as a guest on our latest Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series podcast. George shares his blueprint for “setting the table,” the process he implements before the first candidate comes in the door to interview. George also shares a story about how he approached recruiting for a position that never existed before. There are some great takeaways here. Every time I talk...

As a recruiter, I have the opportunity to speak with some of the best hiring leaders out there, and I wanted to bring you into the conversation so you can also benefit from their stories and wisdom. Today we have our first guest, Laura Merling, on The Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series podcast, and I couldn't be more excited.

Somer and Zen go deep on this topic and what a great hiring process looks like. Throughout the interview process, candidates are meeting various stakeholders. What’s that process like? Are they aligned on the position? What gets asked and assessed? 

Somer and Zen talk about first round interviews. How great hiring managers conduct first round interviews, what candidates want to hear and how hiring managers both sell opportunity and screen at the same time.

This week, Zen asks Somer about her career-defining moment. Somer reflects on a particularly difficult search where the one and only candidate in process was showing their true colors at the final hour, and what she did about it.

Somer asks Zen about her career-defining moment. Zen goes way back into the archives when she was a junior recruiter. She reflects on a particular search at the offer stage with a candidate, and why it went wrong. 

Zen Mak and Somer Hackley talk about specific things great hiring managers do both before and during a search to ensure its success. They also talk about what recruiters expect from hiring managers. 

Welcome to the first episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series. Nearly every hiring manager wants to hire fast, but what exactly does that mean?  Somer Hackley and Zen Mak talk about their experiences with different timelines, what great hiring managers can do to speed up the process, and share stories of some searches that just went on.