The Talent Tango

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

In this episode, we dive into Brittany Rohde’s unconventional journey into the HR and people space. With a background in mathematics and a love for admin, Brittany has successfully navigated the world of people operations, compensation, and leadership. We explore how she transitioned from a math degree into HR, her philosophy on taking opportunities, and why she believes every people team should have an engineering component. Key Takeaways

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Cory Eustice, a seasoned talent leader, to dive into the importance of transparency in the hiring process. They explore how organizations can improve candidate experiences, hiring outcomes, and long-term retention by fostering open and honest conversations from the very start. Key Takeaways: Transparency in Hiring Matters – Candidates should be given a full, honest picture of the role, the company, and the challenges they might face. Hiring Managers Play a Role – Recruiters must work closely with hiring managers to ensure they openly discuss both the positives and challenges of a role. Quality Over Speed – Rushing to fill positions without clear alignment on expectations leads to mismatches and retention issues. Metrics That Matter – Effective hiring isn’t just about speed; it’s about tracking key indicators like offer acceptance rates, retention, and conversion rates. Retrospective Learning – Teams should evaluate both successful and unsuccessful hires to continuou

In this episode, Amir sits down with Meg Henry, Head of People & Talent at Companyon Ventures, to explore why onboarding deserves just as much attention as hiring. Meg shares practical insights on structuring an effective onboarding process, ensuring a smooth transition for new hires, and increasing business efficiency through thoughtful onboarding. If you’re in a people or talent leadership role, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways to refine your onboarding strategy. Key Takeaways ✅ Onboarding is often neglected – Companies spend months hiring but little time ensuring new hires succeed. ✅ Accessibility is key – Provide clear, organized resources to reduce new hire anxiety and unnecessary questions. ✅ Hybrid work adds complexity – Without casual office interactions, structured onboarding is more critical than ever. ✅ Onboarding should be role-specific – While company orientation is helpful, tailored onboarding plans drive success. ✅ A small time investment pays off – 2.5 hours spread over

In this episode, we dive deep into Talent Acquisition (TA) playbooks—how recruiting leaders bring their experiences, frameworks, and best practices into new roles, and how they adapt them to different company environments. Henry shares his insights on onboarding into a new company, assessing existing hiring practices, and implementing change management strategies that actually stick. Key Takeaways:

In this episode of The Talent Tango, Amir Bormand is joined by Alex Kim, Head of Talent at NewLimit, to discuss the nuances of expectations and requirements in talent acquisition. They dive into how talent professionals can better understand and serve domain experts, establish success criteria, and adapt to the unique challenges of niche and bleeding-edge industries like biotech. Whether you're an early-career recruiter or a seasoned talent leader, this conversation offers invaluable insights into building trust, setting realistic expectations, and aligning talent strategies with business objectives. Key Takeaways: Understanding the Stakeholders You Serve: Talent acquisition is a consultative function. By deeply understanding the organizational structure, team dynamics, and priorities, recruiters can align their strategies with business goals. Data-Driven Collaboration: Use talent mapping and market data to set clear expectations with hiring managers, especially for niche roles. Transparency is key to ref

In this episode, we dive deep into community building and the hiring challenges founders face with Michelle McHargue. As an early-stage investor, Michelle has a front-row seat to the pressure founders experience when hiring top talent. We explore why founders are so selective, how curated communities can impact hiring, and why hiring at early-stage startups is uniquely difficult. Key Takeaways ✅ Top Talent Is Subjective: Every startup defines “top talent” differently, making hiring a challenge. ✅ Early-Stage Hiring Is Cutthroat: Startups compete for the same small pool of talent, especially engineers. ✅ Startups Wait for the Right Fit: Unlike larger companies, startups won’t settle—they wait for a “perfect” hire. ✅ Community Building Is a Long Game: Curated talent communities can be an invaluable resource for founders. ✅ Founders Can Be Too Fixated: Many are overly focused on specific skills, limiting their hiring pool. ✅ Hiring Pressure Is Real: Founders juggle hiring with investor expectations, product deve

In this episode, Amir speaks with Tiffany Chandra, Director of People and Talent at Sapphire Ventures, about the intersection of program management and talent acquisition. Tiffany shares her journey into program management, the skills she cultivated, and how program management principles can transform talent functions in organizations of any size. Whether you’re in a small company or a large organization, Tiffany’s insights offer practical ways to enhance recruiting strategies and improve team alignment. Key Takeaways Program Management in Talent: Effective program management aligns multiple recruiting projects under shared goals, ensuring seamless workflows and outcomes. Stakeholder Alignment is Foundational: Building strong relationships and setting clear expectations with stakeholders ensures program success. Governance and Ownership: Defining clear roles and accountability for team members leads to more efficient talent processes. Embracing Ambiguity: Thriving in undefined roles and adapting to c

In this episode, host Amir Bormand sits down with Meg Sahni, Senior Director of Talent at Radical Ventures, to explore the intricacies of hiring for early-stage AI companies. With AI's rapid growth, Meg shares valuable insights on navigating a highly competitive talent market, building effective early teams, and establishing a strong employer brand. Key Takeaways: AI Startup Talent Categories: Understanding the differences between "AI-first" companies building foundational models and "applied AI" companies leveraging existing models. Strategic Team Building: Recruiting top-tier talent across research, engineering, and product management to support AI-first and applied AI initiatives. Employer Branding: The importance of participating in conferences, publishing technical content, and engaging in hackathons to attract and retain AI talent. Candidate Motivations: Why aligning with candidates' motivations and clearly articulating company vision are crucial for securing top talent. Lean Team Dynamics: Ho

In this insightful episode, Amir Bormand interviews Jim Conti, Talent Partner at Hyde Park Venture Partners, about redefining the value of people and talent functions. Jim shares strategies for evolving the role from being process-driven to a core strategic contributor, while highlighting the importance of aligning with business goals, automating admin tasks, and building impactful employee experiences. This episode is packed with practical advice for HR professionals, talent leaders, and anyone looking to amplify the value of their talent organization. Key Takeaways: Identify Your Org’s People Function Priorities: The reporting structure and allocated budget reveal how much a company values its talent function. Evolve from Admin to Strategic: Focus on aligning talent initiatives with broader business goals and automate routine tasks to free up time for strategy. Build a Business Case for Talent Investments: Use data and ROI-driven arguments to gain leadership buy-in for new tools and initiatives. Set

In this insightful episode, host Amir speaks with Tanaz Mody, Head of People Operations and Talent at Lerer Hippeau, to explore the unique challenges founders face in hiring and leadership. The conversation highlights the complexities of transitioning from founder to CEO, building trust, and making strategic hiring decisions in early-stage startups. Tanaz provides practical advice on delegation, setting expectations, and the evolving role of People Operations in supporting business growth. Episode Highlights Founders and Hiring Challenges The emotional attachment founders have to their business often makes hiring decisions difficult. Common pitfalls in hiring due to lack of alignment on company needs. Delegation and Trust The importance of founders learning to delegate effectively and trust their teams. Building safe spaces for transparent communication and collaboration. Strategic Decision-Making Setting milestones and frameworks to align hiring with business goals. How People Operations can faci

In this insightful episode, Amir engages with Dina Singleton, Chief HR Officer at Kajabi, to discuss the multifaceted challenges women encounter in the workplace. Topics include navigating the delicate balance of work and personal life, returning to work after childbirth or surgery, and the often-overlooked impact of menopause.  Dina emphasizes the importance of fostering supportive and inclusive environments, proactive communication, and self-advocacy. Through personal anecdotes and expert advice, this episode offers practical insights into how organizations and individuals can better support women's professional and personal journeys.  Highlights: 01:16 Challenges Women Face in the Workplace 01:54 Finding Your Voice and Performance Issues 06:00 Personal Story: Navigating Health Issues at Work 09:59 Return to Work and Remote Work Challenges 13:24 Navigating Work During COVID-19 14:35 Family Leave and Career Impact 17:13 Future-Proofing Your Career 18:47 Addressing Anxiety and Self-Improvement 19:56 Challenge

In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews Loren Boyce, VP of Talent Acquisition at M13, about the importance of storytelling in recruitment. They discuss how storytelling can enhance job descriptions, align teams, and truly convey the essence and impact of a role within a company. Loren shares insights on how founders and hiring managers can improve their recruitment strategies by focusing on the 'why' behind the job and the narrative that attracts top talent. Moreover, they explore the difference between sales-driven and authentic, holistic recruiting approaches. Loren also provides practical advice on how to elegantly address job challenges and the importance of having meaningful conversations with candidates. Highlights 01:37 The Importance of Storytelling in Recruiting 03:22 Aligning Recruitment with Company Goals 06:11 Crafting Effective Job Descriptions 09:04 Challenges and Best Practices in Recruitment Guest: Loren Boyce is a recruiter and talent acquisition leader who has helped companies like

In this episode, Amir talks with Hilliary Turnipseed, Senior Director of Talent at Kapor Capital, about the importance of consciously inclusive hiring. Hilliary discusses how businesses can diversify their talent pool and avoid biases in the hiring process. We explore Kapor Capital's investment philosophy focused on closing gaps in access for low-income and communities of color, and how Hilliary's role involves providing founders with tools to build diverse teams. The episode offers practical advice for founders and TA professionals about de-risking hiring decisions, inclusive hiring practices, and the benefits of expanding networks beyond traditional pools. Additionally, Hilliary shares details about Kapor's talent network and her partnerships with organizations like Diversify Tech and Black Code Collective. Highlights: 01:56 Consciously Inclusive Hiring Explained 03:18 Challenges and Solutions in Hiring 05:41 Expanding Networks and Talent Pools 09:06 Building a Fair and Equitable Talent Network 12:20 Naviga

In this podcast episode, we feature Kelsey Lang, the Global Head of Talent at Techstars. The discussion centers around 'super agility' in talent management. Kelsey shares insights on blending startup flexibility with foundational process stability, understanding corporate cultural nuances, and maintaining agile strategies within fast-paced environments. The conversation also explores project management methodologies like Scrum and Kanban and their potential application in the talent space to enhance adaptability and efficiency. Kelsey highlights the importance of stakeholders and offers practical advice for balancing flexibility with structure in growing organizations. Highlights: 01:24 Defining Agility in Talent Management 03:37 Skills Needed for Flexibility in Talent 07:03 Challenges and Strategies in Talent Management 13:25 Implementing Agile Methodologies in Talent Guest: Kelsey Lang is a talent and people leader with over 20 years of experience building, scaling and transforming. She has worked with s

In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Laura Hilton, the Head of Executive Talent at Bain Capital Ventures, about the often-overlooked 'little things' that significantly impact talent management. Laura shares insights on why doing these small tasks well, such as follow-ups and maintaining relationships, is crucial for hiring the best talent. They also discuss how these practices differentiate successful companies, and explore ways to manage follow-ups effectively, leveraging technology and personal discipline. Laura emphasizes that strong candidate experience and consistent communication can set a company apart in the competitive talent landscape. Highlights 01:38 The Importance of Little Things in Talent Management 01:56 Differences in Executive Talent Management 04:24 Key Little Things in Talent Management 08:02 Challenges and Best Practices in Follow-Ups 14:06 The Role of Technology in Talent Management 16:40 Managerial and Personal Responsibility in Follow-Ups Guest Laura Hilton has over a decade of

In this episode, Cassie Chao Leemans, Vice President of Talent at Craft Ventures, discusses key strategies for effective recruiting with host Amir. Topics include the importance of a solid recruiting framework, the concept of interview debt, and preparing for scalable growth. Cassie shares insights on aligning team competencies, interviewer training, and dealing with biases in the recruiting process. She also highlights the significance of founders' involvement in early-stage hiring and how to avoid common pitfalls. Listeners will gain valuable advice on structuring their recruiting processes for future success. Highlights: 01:25 Understanding Foundational Recruiting 06:41 Defining Competencies and Roles 09:41 The Importance of Interviewer Training 11:59 Avoiding Interview Debt 17:35 Balancing High Standards and Biases 21:55 Scaling Your Hiring Process Guest: Cassie Leemans is the VP Talent at Craft Ventures, where she plays a pivotal role in building high-performing teams and shaping talent acquisition strat

In this podcast episode, Amir interviews Erin Peterson, Head of Talent at Great Hill Partners, to explore the transformative impact of AI on talent acquisition. They discuss the potential for AI and generative AI solutions to automate and optimize the talent recruitment process, improve productivity, and enhance the candidate experience. Erin shares insights on the evolving roles within recruitment, the importance of balancing automation with human touch, and the need for new skill sets and metrics to successfully integrate AI. They also touch on the importance of humility, continuous learning, and leadership in navigating these technological advancements. Highlights: 01:41 AI's Potential in Talent Acquisition 04:16 Automation and Efficiency in Recruitment 11:58 Personalization and Competitive Advantage 19:39 Future Roles and Skills in AI-Driven Recruitment 26:16 Leadership and Change Management in AI Guest: Erin Peterson is a seasoned leader in the talent acquisition space, with extensive experience across i

In this episode, Chris Fahey, SVP of Talent and HR at Volition Capital, discusses the often-overlooked value of org charts for growing companies. He discusses how they can pinpoint hiring gaps and the importance of focusing on roles, not just people. Chris also highlights the importance of aligning your company's strategy with its structure and regularly revisiting this alignment for smoother scaling. Great tips for founders and businesses aiming for efficient growth! Highlights: 01:47 The Importance of Org Charts in Business 02:59 Challenges and Benefits of Creating Org Charts 04:56 Aligning Org Charts with Business Strategy 10:09 Defining Success Criteria for Hiring 13:24 Iterating and Reassessing Org Charts 15:19 Advice for Founders on Organizational Alignment 18:12 Frequency of Re-examining Org Charts Guest: Chris Fahey is the Senior Vice President of Talent and Human Resources at Volition Capital. With extensive experience in talent acquisition and HR leadership, Chris deeply understands organizational

In this episode, Amir interviews Keryn Koch, the Global Chief Human Resource Officer at Numerix, to discuss the M&A process from an HR perspective. They dive into the role of HR in mergers and acquisitions, the importance of culture, operational compliance, and effective communication. Keryn shares her experiences, strategies for integrating diverse company cultures, and emphasizes the importance of early HR involvement for a successful merger. She also provides a detailed look into managing HR technology post-acquisition. This episode is filled with insights and advice for anyone involved in M&As. Highlights: 01:33 HR's Role in Mergers and Acquisitions 02:31 Early Involvement of HR in M&A 03:35 Cultural Integration in M&A 04:37 Personal Anecdote: First M&A Experience 06:24 Creating a New Culture Post-M&A 08:10 Identifying Cultural Ambassadors 11:47 Balancing Company Cultures 16:02 Advocating for Early HR Involvement 19:25 HR Technology in M&A Guest: Keryn Koch is the Global Chief