Art of Search - Hiring Manager Series

If you were tasked with building a technology team from scratch in a completely unfamiliar geography, how would you ensure you’re hiring the right people? In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series, we talk with Sravana Karnati, EVP of Global Technology Platforms, about his approach to hiring and leading in diverse geographies. Sravana shares his methodology of scaling teams rapidly while maintaining high standards, and how to build teams from scratch in an unfamiliar market. Tune in to gain valuable strategies for global hiring and leadership. Available on your favorite podcast platform or on YouTube.

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 scaling teams at leading technology companies like Rivian, Tesla, and Apple. This is truly a masterclass in building effective, people-centered recruiting functions for companies poised for rapid growth. Tune in on your favorite podcast platform or watch the interview on YouTube to discover how to bring fresh perspectives into your hiring process and drive meaningful change.

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 looks for in candidates, and how his hiring style has evolved over time. Robert also shares his tips on what to do when you need to fill a role urgently. He’s all about finding people who bring fresh perspectives and can tackle problems in different ways. Tune in to the episode on your favorite podcast platform or watch the interview on YouTube and discover how to bring fresh perspectives into your team and drive meaningful change.

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 success.  One standout moment is Zhen's approach to compensation discussions. "All of my people are priceless," he says, highlighting his commitment to valuing employees and fostering a team-oriented negotiation process. Great hiring is both an art and a skill that's honed over time. As recruiters, we have the opportunity to speak with some of the best hiring leaders out there, and we're excited to invite you into these conversations to share their stories and insights. Think of this podcast as a go-to resource for excellent hiring, where you'll leave each conversation inspired, with new ideas to implement and evolve. Tune in to gain valuable insights from Zhen Lu on building and scaling a successful team.