Talentful's Monthly Newsletter: Festive Edition ??
Hello and welcome to the December edition of Talentful's monthly newsletter! ???
As the year draws to a close, we’re embracing the festive spirit with this special edition of Read, Watch, Listen. While many of us are reflecting on the year past and planning for the year ahead, it’s the perfect time to focus on fresh perspectives and actionable insights that can inspire your talent acquisition strategies for 2025.
This month, we’re excited to bring you resources that dive into global hiring trends, niche talent strategies, and the art of meaningful conversations—because even the busiest leaders in TA need moments to refocus and recharge.
Enjoy this month’s Read, Watch, Listen, take a moment to celebrate your wins, and look ahead to the opportunities 2025 has in store.
??? Read: HIGHER Talent100
Last month, we gave you a sneak peek of the HIGHER Talent100—now it’s officially live!
We’re excited to share that Talent100, a resource that we’re proud to sponsor alongside Deel and Metaview, is officially live! This comprehensive guide brings together over 100 of the most influential talent acquisition leaders from across the globe.
The Talent100 provides invaluable insights on navigating the rapidly changing landscape of talent acquisition. With contributions from industry experts, it highlights key topics like global recruitment strategies, AI-driven hiring practices, and how to stay ahead in a market where the rules are always evolving.
What makes the Talent100 a must-read:
Global Perspectives:
Learn from leaders who have mastered the complexities of managing talent across multiple geographies, all while tailoring strategies to local needs.
AI and Technology in Hiring:
Gain a deep dive into how AI is reshaping recruitment—enhancing everything from sourcing and screening to candidate experience.
Expert Insights and Best Practices:
Access real-world advice from talent leaders who are setting the bar for the industry, tackling everything from employer branding to scaling recruitment in today’s competitive landscape.
As one of the sponsors, we’re excited to see how these thought leaders are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in talent acquisition. The Talent100 is your go-to resource to ensure your strategy is future-proof, and we can’t wait for you to explore it.
?? Watch: Hiring in Today’s Toughest Talent Markets
How do you find and attract top-tier talent in deep tech industries like quantum computing? In the latest episode of Hiring on All Cylinders, Talentful CEO Chris Abbass chats with Christine Ng , Head of People at Quantum Motion, to tackle one of the most challenging hiring landscapes today.
From navigating limited talent pools to out maneuvering Big Tech, Christine shares practical strategies for sourcing niche candidates, crafting authentic recruitment narratives, and unlocking untapped talent in surprising places.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
If you’re hiring in specialized or competitive markets, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
?? Listen: 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation – Celeste Headlee (TED Talk)
What makes for a truly impactful conversation? According to radio host and professional interviewer Celeste Headlee (she/her) , it’s one of the most essential skills of the modern age—and for TA executives and leaders, it’s a game-changer.
In her TED Talk "10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation," Celeste shares practical strategies that recruiters can apply to transform candidate interactions. Her advice, like asking open-ended questions such as What was that like? or How did that feel?, fosters thoughtful, revealing answers. These techniques don’t just uncover surface-level information—they provide deep insights into a candidate’s mindset, values, and cultural fit.
In today’s competitive talent market, mastering this skill can help leaders:
By moving beyond technical queries to focus on reflective and story-driven questions, you’ll gain a richer understanding of what makes your candidates stand out. This TED Talk is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their interview approach.
?? Listen now to learn actionable techniques that will transform the way you connect with candidates.
?? New Year, New Goals
As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect opportunity to take stock of what 2024 taught us in the world of talent acquisition. The ever-evolving landscape of hiring, technology, and leadership has presented unique challenges and opportunities, and as we step into the new year, it’s time to think about how we’ll adapt, grow, and thrive in the year ahead.
Whether you’re navigating new technologies like AI, honing your team’s skills, or redefining what great candidate experiences look like, setting clear, actionable goals now can make all the difference. To help inspire your plans, we’ve curated some resolutions that can sharpen your strategy and elevate your leadership in talent acquisition:
?? Refine Your Employer Brand
This year, focus on showcasing what makes your company stand out. Whether it’s through storytelling, improved onboarding, or revisiting your EVP, ensure candidates feel the value of your culture from the first interaction.
?? Double Down on Data-Driven Hiring
Leverage analytics to spot trends, predict hiring needs, and measure success. A strong data strategy can be the game-changer your hiring process needs to scale effectively.
?? Build Meaningful Relationships
Take time to invest in relationships—whether it’s with your team, candidates, or key stakeholders. Great hiring doesn’t happen in silos.
?? Embrace the Rise of AI
Explore how AI can help streamline your processes. From sourcing tools to smarter chatbots, the right tech could save you hours and elevate the candidate experience.
?? Prioritize Upskilling
The world of TA is evolving fast. Make time for personal development or encourage your team to attend webinars, read, and network. Staying ahead of trends helps keep your strategy future-ready.
?? Recent Articles
Missed our recent articles? No worries—we’ve got you covered!
We’ve put together a series of must-read articles tailored specifically for TA leaders and executives. Whether you’re looking to refine your talent acquisition strategy, stay ahead of industry trends, or gain actionable insights, our content is here to help you elevate your TA functions for success in the new year.
From optimizing processes to exploring innovative tools, these resources are designed to empower you with the knowledge and strategies you need to excel. Dive in and discover how you can transform your approach to talent acquisition in 2025 and beyond! ??
?? Rebuilding Diversity: 5 Ways To Prioritise DEIB in Talent Acquisition Right Now
At this point, it feels like a colossal understatement to say that DEIB hasn’t been a priority for most organizations over the last few years. Companies have been fighting for their lives. Talent teams have had to make some hard choices between keeping the lights on with business-critical hires, or building a more diverse workforce.
It was one or the other — and survival won out. But as the macroeconomic storm finally starts to abate and the hiring market warms up, DEIB is finally back on the agenda once more. Trouble is, things are very different for talent teams this time around.
The stakes are high. Organizations are on the road to recovery from a four-year slump, but they’re more focused on driving high performance, not belonging. Leaner budgets and team headcount have left talent acquisition with even fewer resources than before to put diversity back on the table.?
Different times require a different approach. Here’s how talent acquisition can get ahead of the curve and build back a better, more intentional strategy that prioritizes diversity.
?? Designing a high-performing recruitment organization: 3 strategies for 2025
Talent teams have never had it so tough. Years of economic instability, layoffs, and shifting priorities have turned the talent landscape into an impossible terrain. And in a world where it’s difficult to know what’s around the corner, planning feels impossible. But if there’s one thing the most efficient recruiting teams are doing right now, it’s building that uncertainty right into their strategy.
In 2025 and beyond, high-performing recruitment teams will drive success by embedding flexibility, efficiency, and agility at their core — reshaping not only how they operate but how they anticipate and act on talent needs as businesses continue to evolve.?
They’re leveraging AI as a way of solving critical business problems, not just as a robot for unwanted tasks. They’re rethinking team structure to maximize expertise while keeping costs down. And critically, they’re rebuilding processes that enable them to match the pace of constant change.
Hungry for more? Dive into our full resources section to discover a wealth of tools, insights, and guides designed just for you!
?? As 2024 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you for being part of this journey with us.
It’s been a year full of growth, challenges, and exciting changes in the talent acquisition world, and we’re thrilled to have shared insights and strategies with such an innovative community.
While this is our final newsletter of the year, we’ll still be here, keeping the momentum going into the new year. We look forward to connecting with you again in January with more insights and resources to support your talent acquisition goals.
From all of us at Talentful, we wish you a joyful festive season and a successful New Year! ??
About Talentful:
Founded in 2015, Talentful is the world’s first GenAI-driven embedded RPO. With a global reach, evenly split across the US & Europe, we’ve made successful hires in over 80 countries globally. We harness highly skilled talent consultants, a proprietary AI talent platform, and the world's largest in-house TA community - an ecosystem built to create exceptional results.
Talentful is the leading recruiter for the global tech sector, working with the likes of Atlassian, Alphabet, Expedia, and Microsoft. We are Enterprise scale with startup agility, working with companies with up to a $5T total valuation and helping to build some of the most storied unicorns from startup to exit.
Our solution addresses every aspect of recruitment, from sourcing to onboarding, reducing the burden and workload on your team – calibrated to your unique set of needs, culture, and requirements. Scale at speed with best-in-class talent, anywhere in the world.
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