One of the top recruiters of executive and leadership talent in the tech industry, Pat Fitzgerald brings deep and valuable perspectives on today’s battles for talent. In monthly episodes, Pat shares his advice on the new types of skills that businesses are seeking and the opportunities that talented professionals are looking for. In this episode, Pat advocates for a growth mindset in leadership, urging companies to identify and pursue top talent even when not actively seeking new hires.
Episode 16 | Talent Acquisition Growth Mindset
The Big Themes:
- Shift from talent acquisition to talent attraction: Pat and Bob discuss moving from a reactive talent acquisition approach to a proactive talent attraction strategy. Rather than waiting for job openings, Pat encourages companies and recruiters to explore the market, identify top talent, and build relationships through exploratory engagements.
- Balancing diversity and talent acquisition: Diversity is important, Pat says, but a singular focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can hinder overall talent acquisition strategies. Instead, a balanced approach that considers culture fit, talent, and diversity as essential components is recommended.
- Persistence pays off: Identify high-performing individuals in competitors and proactively pursue them. Pat shares anecdotes about his persistent efforts to recruit top talent, even when faced with initial rejection. Building relationships and pursuing promising candidates over time can ultimately lead to successful hires.
The Big Quote: ” . . . focus on diversity at the bottom-up, not the top-down. If you really want to change the diversity of your company, you need to start with early talent and university recruiting.”
Want additional insights to help you win the war for talent?
Connect with Pat on LinkedIn.
