For all the talk about candidate experience, most hiring processes are deeply transactional. Timelines blow out. Feedback is vague. Communication is automated. The human moments get lost in the workflow. When did we forget to just pick up the phone and have a chat? If I can leave you with anything this week, it’s this: phone before email.
At a time when tech is advancing rapidly, it’s tempting to keep adding. But the most future-ready teams I know are doing the opposite. They’re auditing. They’re simplifying. They’re choosing tools that align with their process, not contorting their process to fit a platform. They understand that great recruitment isn’t about toolkits. It’s about clarity of thought. About process discipline. About being intentional at every stage
The single most important thing we can do to improve hiring decisions is to standardise the interview process. Not just in structure, but in mindset. It’s about treating interviews not as informal chats or instinct-driven conversations, but as designed, repeatable systems. Because when we don’t, we introduce noise. And noise is the enemy of good judgement.
This Week in Talent – In high-pressure business environments, teams in TA, legal, risk, procurement, and finance often get unfairly branded as the “Party Poopers” – seen as blockers while others race ahead toward growth. But when done well, these functions aren’t the brakes – they’re the steering wheel. In this blog, Carrie Harding unpacks how strategic enablers shift the narrative by designing smarter systems, empowering teams, and aligning compliance with business outcomes. If you’re tired of being seen as the department of “no,” this one’s for you. Because playing by the rules shouldn’t mean slowing the game down – it should help you win it.
Talent Leaders are facing increasing confusion and complexity as they navigate a crowded HR Tech market, stricter regulations, and shifting business needs. Here we look at the key trends and challenges
This Week in Talent – Corporate Australia is made up of more than just employees. Temps, freelancers, contractors, consultants – we all play a part. But there’s still a lingering mindset that some contributions matter more than others, depending on employment status. This blog challenges that thinking. Because in a fast-changing world, value isn’t defined by employment status – it’s defined by impact. Whether you’re here for a project or the long haul, your work helps shape the organisation’s story. It’s time to drop the “us vs them” mentality and embrace a more inclusive way of working – where everyone belongs.
From recruitment to culture transformation, my career journey wasn’t linear – but it was intentional. Every pivot taught me something new. This post is for anyone who’s ever felt off-track but kept showing up. Spoiler: the real magic happens when plans fall apart and you decide to build something better.
If you look at a Venn diagram of the needs and drivers of Talent Leaders, Procurement Leaders, and Employee Relations, the overlap is surprisingly small, yet their alignment is critical to managing a successful contingent workforce. Talent focuses on speed and delivery, candidate experience, and securing the right skills. Procurement is driven by cost control, risk mitigation, and contract compliance. Employee Relations ensures adherence to labor laws, fair treatment, and risk management. Each function has its own priorities, but without collaboration, you risk inefficiencies, compliance issues, and missed opportunities. Carrie shares how a new approach achieved more with aligned goals and shared understanding.
In the final TWIT for March, Gary invites you to join the journey of transformation and personal development for career success. It’s time to have an honest conversation with ourselves – as Talent Leaders we need to evolve, or we might just go extinct (or not be as relevant – the less dramatic option!). We must never take for granted the role we as talent professionals all play in changing people’s lives and making their dreams a reality. AI has a place, but so does the right dose of human touch…now that’s the real magic!