Grab a cuppa and get comfy, because in this episode we have a natter with Tom Hacquoil, the CEO at Pinpoint. He shares his thoughts on the ever-evolving world of recruitment technology and the candidate experience.

Highlights:

• Hitting the Century Mark (00:01:00): Tom kicks things off by mentioning he’s just boarded his 100th flight this year—talk about clocking up the air miles!

• Finding Your True Calling (00:03:55): He admits that while he enjoys programming, it’s not really his strong suit. Sometimes it’s about knowing where your real talents lie.

• Life’s Cheat Codes (00:05:21): Tom hints at discovering some “cheat codes” that have given him a leg up in life and business.

• Tools of the Trade Matter (00:07:44): We chat about how people choose workplaces based on the tools they’ll have to use—no one wants to be stuck with clunky old software.

• No Substitute for Experience (00:09:34): Tom emphasises that you just can’t beat time spent in the market; experience truly is invaluable.

• Sustainability in Software (00:11:12): He points out that many software companies are “default dead,” lacking sustainable business models—a bit bleak but a reality check.

• Rethinking Recruitment (00:14:00): Leading organisations now treat hiring as a “sell-side” challenge, focusing on attracting talent by showcasing their own value.

• A Word to the Wise (00:15:10): Tom advises against certain strategies that might seem clever but often don’t pay off in the long run.

• The Rise of Automation (00:18:40): We discuss how candidates can now auto-generate CVs and apply to thousands of jobs in a heartbeat, changing the recruitment game.

• Guiding Through Change (00:20:00): Acknowledging that change can be tough, Tom stresses the importance of offering support during transitions.

• Underutilised Tech (00:21:54): He reckons most technology is only used to 70-80% of its capacity—so there’s plenty of untapped potential out there.

• Specialists vs Generalists (00:24:40): Using a brilliant analogy, Tom says if you break your leg, you’d want a leg specialist, not just any doctor.

• Post-Offer Pitfalls (00:26:40): There’s often a sharp drop in candidate experience after a job offer is made, which can affect onboarding and retention.

• The Entrepreneurial Buzz (00:28:24): Tom describes entrepreneurship as a bit of a drug—you just keep coming back for more.

• Customer Feedback Loop (00:30:17 & 00:33:00): Pinpoint prides itself on iterating based on customer feedback, letting the product evolve alongside clients’ needs.

• Direct Appreciation (00:34:02): He shares how clients often reach out personally to express their gratitude when their suggestions are implemented.

• Supercharging Recruiters with AI (00:37:12): The aim isn’t to replace recruiters but to enhance their abilities, making them even more effective.

• AI is All About Use Case (00:39:01): Tom notes that the success of AI hinges on how and where it’s applied within recruitment.

• Benefits of Long-Term Partnerships (00:41:40): Staying with one provider builds up valuable data over time, offering scalable insights.

• Need for Better Benchmarking (00:42:14): He critiques the poor standard of industry benchmarking data, suggesting there’s plenty of room for improvement.

• Learning from Across the Pond (00:45:41): Tom suggests UK businesses look at US recruitment trends to anticipate changes likely to arrive here in about six months.

• Tech That Empowers (00:47:42): He envisions technology increasingly helping people by making their lives easier and providing better data, rather than replacing them.

Wrap-Up:

Whether you’re in HR, recruitment, or just fancy a good tech chat, this one’s definitely worth a listen!

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