Are you passionate about engineering and ready to make a significant impact? Look no further! PepsiCo is seeking a dynamic Global Process Senior Safety Engineer to join their team and drive excellence in safety practices across their global projects. Your role will have an impact on multiple sites. This is a global play. As a key player, you’ll have the opportunity to shape innovative solutions, ensure world-class performance, and contribute to sustainable engineering practices.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
Process Safety Expertise:
- Utilise your specialized process safety engineering skills to enhance beverage concentrate manufacturing platforms.
- Collaborate with a team dedicated to meeting PepsiCo standards and exceeding consumer expectations.
Strategic Capital Programs and Initiatives:
- Lead the design of strategic capital programs and initiatives that drive business value and growth.
- Be part of something big — your contributions matter!
Innovative Design Solutions and Technology:
- Tackle complexities by developing designs that incorporate cutting-edge solutions and leverage new technology.
- If you thrive on creative thinking, this role is tailor-made for you.
Best Practices and World-Class Performance:
- Leverage best practices from PepsiCo divisions and other industries to ensure top-notch plant and equipment design.
- Join a team that strives for excellence every day.
Technical Guidance and Sustainability:
- Provide essential technical guidance during project design and implementation.
- Contribute to sustainable engineering practices for long-term success.
ABOUT THE PERSON:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
- Proven experience in safety engineering, process safety, or related roles.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for innov
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?
I was previously on a completely different career path. When I decided that I was going to move out of that space, I was a little bit lost. I started to think about what I enjoy and value and was lucky enough to chat with people on various career paths. I remember speaking with one particular person who gave me great insights into the world of talent advisory. From then on, I researched companies and started having conversations with people in the industry. Barden immediately stood out and just felt different; I knew very quickly that it was the place for me.
2. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?
During my time at Barden, I have learned how important it is to manage expectations. Misaligned expectations can cause issues, so it’s important to listen to what people are looking for and be clear about their expectations from the beginning of any process.
3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?
Get curious, chat with anyone in that industry that you can, and get as much information. Use it as an opportunity to start networking; People are usually happy to help so don’t be afraid to ask. I also think it’s important to be clear about what you are looking for – define your non-negotiables and the elements that you are willing to be flexible on.
4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?
I recently worked on an assignment with a client of ours in a relatively new space for our practice. There was a lot of learning and adapting involved and it was a tricky process in a difficult market. We worked on this assignment for several months and faced challenges, but last week the process closed. I am proud that we delivered a successful outcome for both the client and the talent.
5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?
Luckily, there are plenty, but I find it so exciting that we get to help people make a decision that will have a positive impact on their lives professionally but also personally.
6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?
I love sea swimming and have recently been trying out ice baths! I try to do one or the other a couple of times each week. Keeping it up during the winter will be a big test but I find it really beneficial.
7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
Languages! I would love to be fluent in multiple languages. I have downloaded Duolingo and started with Danish, but I think it will take a while…
8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
I would love to be a pilot. As a bonus, I would make sure I was on a flight to an exotic place (Bahamas, Argentina etc.) and squeeze in a week-long holiday between my flights!
9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?
I am still relatively new to the world of Talent Advisory so I really want to continue learning from the people around me and absorb as much information as I can. When the time is right, I will hopefully start on the Senior Associate pathway here in Barden.
10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Always think about your ‘why’ – I find this helps me keep focused on what my purpose is both professionally and personally.
Almost 10 years ago, Ed Heffernan, Elaine Brady & Jonathan Olden had an idea, and from that idea, Barden was born. Jonathan reflects on the Origin Story of Barden Munster and imagines what the next 10 years will be about…
When we started Barden, I wanted to create a place where people genuinely wanted to be and where they would be recognised for being really good at something. That was the core of my plan. It has always been important to me to be an expert in something, to be able to add value as a result, and to have great people around me.
Having been involved in sports teams, I knew that team culture was the most important thing. When Ed and I first started talking, I was very impressed that we were on the same page in terms of building a strong culture. He listened and vividly articulated what I was trying to achieve. It was clear that we had a shared vision. Initially, I had considered doing some different things on my own, but after meeting Ed, I knew that if we joined forces, we could create something special.
We were unknown in the market, and I hadn’t lived in Cork for a while. We spent a lot of time explaining why Barden was different and how we could support people. Fortunately, many clients gave us a break early on, and as we delivered, we built on that success. We were, and still are, genuinely grateful when clients give us an opportunity – we take it so seriously. It’s an honour and a privilege that clients trust us to find them talent, and we really care about doing our best for them. Our reputation and how we handle a process is as important to us as the outcome.
I was also very fortunate that, as we got started, other people began to get curious about Barden. They approached me to see if there might be openings to join the Barden Munster team. Initially, there weren’t any, as quite simply we didn’t have much business, but the people who showed interest were just too good to pass up. So, we postponed paying ourselves for another while! Thankfully we did because the people who joined us at the start are still with us. They made a huge impact, and they are the reason we were able to build some momentum.
I really enjoy the partnership that I have with Ed and Elaine and have always found them to be incredibly fair. We have never had a falling out, and whenever we question each other, there is always good logic behind it. We work towards a solution that is best for the business and a win-win for everyone. They continue to impress me all the time. I’m very lucky to have met them and be on the Barden journey with them. Our partnership works because if one market is slow, another might be doing well. We’re in it as a team and we know we are doing our very best for each other.
As we grow, we really want to ensure that we maintain our culture. We meet as a team for regular check-ins, just to ensure that we are doing the right things in this regard. We are lucky that some incredible people have joined the business in recent times. It’s important they have a voice and that they keep us on track. We have a solid core of people I trust and rely on for advice, and that helps us keep things on the straight and narrow. We have had lots of success, success that we hadn’t anticipated but when times are tough, you need to be there for people and still have fun.
Enjoyed Jonathan’s reflections?
You can read Ed Heffernan’s Origin Story here>>>and Elaine Brady’s here>>>
Almost 10 years ago, Ed Heffernan, Elaine Brady & Jonathan Olden had an idea, and from that idea, Barden was born. Elaine reflects on her Barden Origin story and imagines what the next 10 years will all be about…
The early days were amazing, although I might be looking back with rose-tinted glasses. We weren’t paying ourselves, but I had never been happier to work for free. Our first office had a window that looked out onto a brick wall. We never knew if it was sunny or raining, which was fine because we had no time to look out the window anyway. Ed and I used to play random musical soundtracks in the background because the office was so quiet and beans on toast was my go-to meal because it was all I could afford. There was a lot of hard work. We believed in what we were doing and knew we were starting to build something that could be really special.
We always had an empty chair in the room and used to wonder who the next person would be to join us. It would never be just me and Ed; we always envisioned someone else sitting in that seat. A couple of months after we started, Grainne McAleese trusted us to help her build a world-class finance team, which allowed us to generate revenue much earlier than we expected. We had to decide: do we start paying ourselves, or do we invest in the future of the business and bring in high-calibre people to fill the empty seats next to us? We chose the latter. I decided I could keep living on beans and toast for another six months. That decision was a defining moment in the early evolution of Barden.
Johnny probably sits somewhere between Ed and me. He’s very operational, but he can also see the bigger picture and thinks strategically, planning his next move with a long-term vision in mind. Johnny is also incredibly caring. He is an extremely fair person and plays a vital role in the leadership team, balancing out both of mine and Ed’s strengths.
A piece of advice that has stuck with me is, “You can’t work on your business when you’re working in your business.” For years, I kept getting pulled back into the day-to-day tasks. It took two to three years to create a structure where I no longer have to do that, and it’s been a complete game changer for me. I still love working on jobs and helping the team because I love recruitment, but now I’m doing it out of choice rather than necessity. However, it required stepping back and finding the time to do that.
Paul McArdle, who trained me in recruitment and is the Managing Partner of The Panel, has been and continues to be an instrumental mentor and friend. I worked with him for eight years and we are still very close. He was incredibly supportive when I decided to start Barden.
More recently, it’s been more about seeking peer-to-peer support. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and got accepted onto the KPMG Enterprise Ireland Going for Growth programme, which has been brilliant. My mentor there, Monica Flood, was a great support, especially during COVID when we all thought our businesses were going to die!
I’m also part of the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women programme, and recently became a founding member of a female parent network called KELLA, launching in Ireland. KELLA is about surrounding yourself with brilliant, ambitious women who have goals they want to achieve, knowing that they are there for your learning, development, and networking. Being part of these groups makes the tough times in business much easier to navigate. 
The teamwork during that time was phenomenal. Our financial controller, Kev, was superb at identifying what support we could get from the government. Whenever we managed to get a bit of business, it was all hands on deck. We tried to focus on what we could control: making phone calls, checking in with people, keeping our systems updated, and working on small projects. We were even in the middle of a rebrand, and despite the costs, we decided to continue with it. Ed insisted that while others were losing their heads, we should stay focused and keep going.
By the end of Q4 2020, things started to turn around. We had managed to retain all our staff, and as the market bounced back in 2021 and 2022, we were well-positioned to take advantage of it. It was tough, and there were times I reached out to people like Paul McArdle for advice, but ultimately, we came out of it stronger. Our approach of doing the opposite of what others might do in a crisis has served us well over the past ten years, especially during that period. 
I can’t forget to mention Goldfish Gate at our first office! One day, unknown to me, someone decided to get an office pet, bringing back two goldfish, Billy and Bridget Barden. They cleaned the fish tank in the office kitchen sink, which in hindsight was probably unhygienic. During the cleaning process, some pebbles ended up clogging the sink. The office manager went unnecessarily mad even though someone else in the building used to microwave fish for breakfast every morning – which, in my view, should have been a more punishable offence!
When they fixed it, they gave us back the pebbles as proof and slapped us with an €800 bill. Our FC Kev, who is usually unflappable, lost it! And as if that wasn’t enough, Ed took the two goldfish home and Bridget ended up eating Billy and another fish in Ed’s tank. Not exactly the happiest ending, but definitely memorable!
My drivers for growth will always be: are we growing to create opportunity and are we growing to change lives? Over the past few years, we have started bringing Barden to other communities outside of accounting and tax. This gives us massive opportunities—there’s a whole other world that doesn’t know who we are, what we do, or most importantly, why we do it. It’s exciting to think about the impact we could have on lives that have never had the Barden experience before.
Enjoyed Elaine’s reflections?
You can read Ed Heffernan’s Origin Story here>>>
Almost 10 years ago, Ed Heffernan, Elaine Brady & Jonathan Olden had an idea, and from that idea Barden was born. Here, Ed shares a little of his Barden Origin story and imagines what the next 10 years will all be about…
I always wanted to have my own business, and I remember someone, probably wrongly, saying to me when I came out of college:
“Ed, don’t go off starting something yourself now because you’ll probably **** it up, right? Why don’t you find your profession, get good at it, learn from the very best, travel the world with it if you can, make loads of mistakes on other people’s time and money, and when you’re in your 30s, when some of the naivety has been knocked off, then go do the thing you want to do. At least then, you’ll know how to do something.”
So, I did that, and my chosen profession happened to be recruitment. I got to do all those things, which was amazing, and I’ve always been very thankful for having those opportunities and to the people I worked with – one of whom was Elaine.
I started an MBA part-time when I was about 34, just so that I could stop myself from starting my own business. But I couldn’t shake the thoughts. After chatting with my wife Caroline, getting her support, and reconciling myself with the financial anguish that would be my future, I had to just do it. Elaine was also at a transition point in her career, so we talked about doing something together and decided to go for it.
We didn’t know the term for it at the time, but Elaine and I did a lot of design-based thinking before we created Barden; we spent a lot of time thinking about the small things. We knew we wanted a place where we could enjoy working, advise and help people, and maybe even do good by doing good. We wanted a place where, over time, people might actually aspire to work. So, we wrote down our ideas, had many conversations, and realised during that process that we couldn’t create something just for ourselves because we weren’t the ones who would benefit. We needed to create something that people in Dublin hadn’t seen before.
We were very lucky that a particular partner in Grant Thornton recommended us, and we got the opportunity to pitch for the startup project for Alexion Biopharma’s shared service centre. Sandra Quinn flew over from Italy for the meeting and we were very grateful to her for trusting us and helping us. We pitched by saying, “We are the team that will be working on your roles. We’ll be working on Sundays and worrying about you on Sunday nights. That’s why you should use us.” For whatever reason, Gráinne McAleese said, “I trust you; let’s give it a go.”
That was the big break, I guess. There were other wonderful projects with Darragh and Pat in Malin, and with Avolon that we were lucky enough to be part of in the early days. Maybe it was luck, but you create your own luck, I guess.
If it wasn’t for the three of us, myself, Elaine and Johnny, being who we are, none of us would be halfway successful. It’s unusual that the three of us managed to get together, stay together, and work through all the problems like COVID and financial crises. We actually love working together, and none of us would be as strong individually without the others.
From day one, we always had an empty seat in the office, so we never forgot that we should always be thinking about who’s going to sit there. We are only as good as the person who’s going to fill that seat someday. The biggest challenge has been ensuring that the people who come into Barden believe what we believe and that we live up to the expectations we set for them. People like Kate Flanagan and Sarah Murphy took a risk by joining us in the early days. They had other options, but they chose to join us because they knew us and trusted us. But as we grew, more people decided they wanted to be a part of what we were creating.
Now, when Elaine, Johnny and I meet up, what we talk about the most is creating opportunities for our people so that they can realise their ambitions through Barden. That can be hard. The quality of the person sitting next to us and our ability to create opportunities for them and stay together long term, that’s the real challenge. Filling a job is a battle won or lost, but the momentum we talk about now comes from the people coming into the team and helping to push us forward.
For me, new people joining the business has been, and still is, the most exciting thing because I get to spend a couple of days with them in induction, talk about recruitment, and set the tone and expectations for what’s to come. Barden will grow when we find the right people who want to work with us. We’re not aiming for arbitrary targets. Our growth is tied to our people’s ambitions and potential.
1. Why did you join Barden?
I was really drawn to the passion with which Ed and Elaine talked about Barden and its people!
2. What’s the most valuable lesson you have learned in your career and how has it impacted your work?
Being a part of an organisation that values your work and being surrounded by people who make a difference in your day-to-day is what really matters.
3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?
I believe that everything happens for a reason. Don’t be afraid to take risks, life is too short to work at something that doesn’t add value to your life.
4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?
I’m particularly proud of developing and executing our Talent Monitors. By conducting in-depth, niche talent searches throughout the year, we have successfully identified and engaged top talent for various practice teams.
5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?
It’s definitely the people! I work with amazing colleagues who are always ready to lend a hand and have a laugh together.
6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?
Sewing! After doing my undergrad in Fashion Design, I realised that fashion was more of a hobby than a career path, so sewing became a huge passion of mine.
7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
Master new languages! I’m passionate about different cultures and learning new languages but I don’t have the time to learn all the languages that I am interested in. I think that the best way to fully understand someone else’s culture is to be able to communicate in their language.
8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
Kiersten Rich (The Blonde Abroad). Kiersten is a travel blogger that I have followed for the past 7 years. She focuses on sharing travel content that inspires solo female travellers who are passionate about learning about different cultures and countries (like me!) in a fun and adventurous way.
9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?
I aim to achieve my PMP Project Management certification. This is a significant professional goal that will require dedication and hard work. I’m excited to embark on this journey and grateful for Barden’s backing & support. By acquiring the PMP, I’ll expand my skill set and hope to contribute even more effectively to Barden’s success.
10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Be kind, the world needs kinder people.
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?
There were a number of factors for me but the most prevalent one was the desire to do something different with all the knowledge and experience I had gained over my+20 year career in finance & transformation and to support talent and clients in this domain. I have first-hand experience of the opportunities and challenges within finance and transformation so I can directly relate to their career aspirations (talent), hiring needs (clients) & challenges that exist and how one might navigate them.
2. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?
Treat everyone with respect on the way up, the same as you would on the way down! And always be willing to put your hand up to gain more experience in a different area, don’t assume opportunities will come to you. You have to go out and find them!
3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?
This is definitely one that resonates closely with me, given my recent career move to Barden, having spent 20 years in finance and transformation.
I think the advice will flex somewhat depending on the extent of the career move – in other words, are you staying in the same lane but trying something new within that domain or completely switching lanes altogether? My top 3 pieces of advice would be:
- Go with your gut – By nature I am not a risk taker (must be the accountant in me!) so coupled with lots of advice from people I trust, I think your gut instinct should never be ignored!
- Seek advice from those you trust and take elements from those conversations to support your decision making!
- Trading variables – Consider your trading variables, something we speak a lot about in Barden with our talent and clients. These are the variables that are most important and relevant to you, and they can be broken down into two elements – negotiable and non-negotiable.
If the career change ticks all the non-negotiables, you might be closer to that career move than you think. We are always here in Barden to talk through your future career so of course feel free to reach out to us for a conversation.
4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?
People and teams have always been hugely important to me, and I have managed across all areas of Finance Operations including transformation. So being able to directly help talent find new opportunities and clients find the right talent for their team has been great! How we make talent and clients feel on a Sunday night is at the core of why we do, what we do!
Participating & speaking at events and sharing insights from my career at both graduate and professional levels. Separately, we have invested a lot of time over the last year in creating tailored insights and content to support talent and clients across the Transformation, Projects, and Change domain. Having talent reference use of this content to support their next career move or indeed define their vertical has been very rewarding.
5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?
Barden is celebrating 10 years in business this year, and although I have only been with the business myself for close to 1 year, I worked with Ed and Elaine from their early days as both a hiring manager and talent myself. I am excited to be part of the journey as the business transitions to a new phase of growth & continues to diversify into different areas of specialism.
6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?
With 3 children the time I have for hobbies is somewhat limited. However, I always make time for exercise and my gym sessions, invariably at 6am!!! Not always easy but I never regret getting up and doing it! I also really enjoy running. I ran the Dublin Marathon twice, but now I enjoy a run without having to track times or pace!
7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
To speak and understand any language fluently! Can you imagine what that would be like to land in a country or engage with people in their native language with ease!
8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
Can I pick “someone” instead of a “job”??!!
It would be my 7-year-old daughter Grace. I would love to live through my daughter’s eyes for just one day – to live in a world where everything is possible, and you can do anything! Youth is wasted on the young as they say, so it’s only as you look back that you realise the freedom of youth. To live in that for just one day would be bliss!
9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?
Learn to swim – I learned as a kid, but I definitely need more lessons. To help me for the Barden Christmas swim!
10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
What’s for you won’t pass you by!
1. What inspired you to pursue a career with Barden?
After 22 years in the construction industry, I decided to explore opportunities in other sectors that might offer new challenges and suit me better. I contacted Barden for assistance, and they suggested a role within their company that could be a good fit for both myself and Barden.
The main reason I chose Barden was the people. Before joining, I met at least six people from Barden, and each one was open, honest, and passionate about talent advisory. I realised I would really enjoy working in an environment with people who shared my beliefs and values, and this has proven to be the case.
2. What’s the most valuable lesson you have learned in your career and how has it impacted your work?
It’s difficult to pinpoint just one lesson, but I learned very early in my career that everyone in an organisation brings value and ideas to the table. Dismissing the ideas or suggestions of less experienced or more junior employees can, in my opinion, be detrimental to a business’s success. Therefore, I have always considered the ideas and opinions of all my colleagues, which has led to remarkably close relationships with colleagues across various departments over the years.
3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?
Research is key to deciding if you should make a career change. Ensure you enter a new career with your eyes wide open, fully aware of the pros and cons of that industry. Consulting a talent advisory organisation, such as Barden, will help you make an informed decision about this life-changing step.
4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?
It might seem like a small accomplishment to most, but delivering a PowerPoint presentation to my new colleagues on recent updates in employment legislation was significant for me. It was my first presentation in over 20 years, and while the topic might not be considered very stimulating by some, I achieved my goal. At the end of the presentation, I looked around the room and, thankfully, nobody was asleep!
5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?
It has to be working with such professional, genuine people who are so passionate about talent advisory and strive on a daily basis to achieve the best possible outcome for the talent and clients they work closely with.
6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?
When I finished the Leaving Cert, I was offered a place at the University of London for a degree in Psychology and Criminology. My interest in this area developed from watching Dr Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald, a fictional criminal psychologist in the 1990s drama series Cracker, played by the late Robbie Coltrane. Fitz was a maverick genius and top of his field. Unfortunately, the only attributes I shared with Fitz were physical. For those on tenterhooks, I turned down the place and went to St Patrick’s College in Drumcondra instead.
7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
I would choose to master the skill of producing legible writing. My handwriting is so illegible that I would have saved a lot of time during my college days if I could have deciphered my own notes. Additionally, when friends tell you it’s really cute that your daughters (aged 6 and 7) wrote the Christmas cards, only for you to have written them yourself, it’s clear that this is a skill that needs attention!
8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
I would be the poor man’s Marty Morrissey, commentating on the football or hurling All-Ireland. I am sports mad (watching, not playing), and with the GAA being my favourite, there’s nothing greater than commentating on an All-Ireland final.
9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?
One thing I’d like to accomplish in the next year is to get into shape, even though I am aware that round is a shape!
10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
“Hard work never killed anyone, but there is no point taking any risks.” I say that in jest. From an early age, my parents instilled in me to always treat people the way you would like to be treated yourself. I have never forgotten this and do my best to put it into practice daily. It has held me in good stead in both my personal and professional life.
Barden, Ireland’s leading Talent Advisory and Recruitment Firm, is proud to announce the appointment of Luke Austin as Creative Lead.
Luke, originally from the UK, has worked in the design industry in Ireland for nearly 15 years. He has worked with national brands such as SuperValu, Musgrave, Kilkenny Design, Barry’s Tea, and UCC alongside developing brand identities for many SMEs in Cork and Dublin.
“I am incredibly excited to join Barden as their new Creative Lead. It is rare to find a company that really lives their values and I am looking forward to working alongside the team in communicating those values further. This opportunity represents a thrilling new chapter where I can leverage my passion for creative solutions to drive the company’s vision forward. I am eager to collaborate with such a dynamic and talented team, bringing fresh ideas and strategies to the table to elevate our brand and connect with our communities in impactful ways”– Luke Austin | Creative Lead | Barden Ireland
“It’s hugely exciting to have someone with Luke’s creativity and experience join our team here in Barden. We have always prided ourselves on being innovative when it came to brand, and with Luke’s ability and vision, there is no stopping us now! A famous person once said, “The only two things that make money in business are marketing and innovation; everything else is a cost centre”. No pressure Luke 😉” – Ed Heffernan | Managing Partner | Barden Ireland
Welcome to the Barden team Luke!
AI is undeniably changing the recruitment landscape. Rather than fearing AI as a threat to the recruitment profession, it should be embraced as an opportunity. Automating some parts of the recruitment process creates space and time for the recruitment profession to evolve, allowing us to lean into the most essential elements of recruitment that AI cannot replicate: building trust, forging connections, and nurturing relationships.
Recruitment as a skill, Talent Advisor as a profession
The landscape of recruitment is shifting. Gone are the days of simply filling open positions. Clients are seeking strategic partners, or Talent Advisors, to navigate the complexities of the changing talent environment. This evolution requires us to move beyond assisting with hiring, as we will need to guide clients on AI integration, workforce upskilling, and the impact of automation on jobs. Adaptability will be key, as we pivot across industries and support diverse project needs. Recruitment expertise will remain valuable, but the focus will shift to a refined skillset with high social and emotional intelligence at its core.
Recruiters as Influencers
Recruiters have a close connection with their communities, understanding the wants and needs of both talent and hiring managers. This puts us in a unique position to bridge the gaps between these groups. For example, while there is a growing demand for hybrid or remote work among talent, organisations are tightening hybrid policies and reducing/eliminating remote work opportunities. As recruiters, we need to step up and influence policy makers and hiring managers with real time market data and showcase the talent available when heightened flexibility is an option. This is only an example of one of the many areas which we can become influencers in the space between talent and hiring managers.
Employer and Personal Brand(ers)
We know more about employer and personal brands than anyone else. Recruiters are the ultimate storytellers, weaving and sharing narratives that extend far beyond job specs and interviews. Our close collaboration with our clients allows us to paint a vivid picture of an organisation’s purpose, mission, and culture. Our representation of employers’ and hiring managers’ brands enables prospective talent to envision their impact and growth within that environment. This emotional connection fosters a sense of belonging, ensuring we connect talent with the perfect culture fit – not just a job.
Trusted Advisors
AI empowers us to glean data-driven insights into market dynamics, changes in talents’ priorities, and emerging industry trends. This data, combined with the countless conversations we have with our communities, places us in the unique position of being shrewd, well-informed, and trusted talent advisors. We need to step up, embrace our place as consultants, and be valued for the knowledge, data, and insights we bring to the table.
By embracing AI and honing our human strengths, we can elevate the recruitment profession and become indispensable partners in building successful businesses and fulfilling careers.
The future of recruitment is bright.
In Barden, we understand that each team, role, and requirement is unique.
We’re where leaders go before they start hiring talent.
Insights adapted from a LinkedIn Report. If you would like to discuss any of the above in more detail or you would like our expert advice & insights, contact Ed Heffernan ed.heffernan@barden.ie or via LinkedIn.
