In this episode of Recruiters on the Rise, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Emily Paik, Senior Recruiter at Kit and writer of the Talent Talk newsletter. Emily shares how she transformed a chaotic, reactive hiring process into a strategic, candidate first operation, achieving 100% positive candidate feedback along the way. She breaks down her approach to communication, the small gestures that make a big difference in candidate experience, and how she thinks about metrics like quality of hire. Emily also opens up about her winding path into recruiting and AI's growing role in the hiring process. A practical, honest conversation you won't want to miss.

Takeaways:

• Follow up even when you have nothing new to say. Candidates' biggest complaint is being ghosted, a quick check-in with no real update still goes a long way.
• Learn the product, not just the role. The best impact you can have as a recruiter is deeply understanding the company's product and customers before you start filling seats.
• Your interview process is your employer brand. How candidates feel during hiring directly impacts how they perceive your company and they'll tell others.
• Simplify quality of hire. Don't overcomplicate it with fancy algorithms, automated 30/60/90 day manager surveys are enough to give you meaningful, actionable data.
• Share interview questions in advance. You're not trying to test on the spot thinking you want candidates at their best, and giving them time to prepare gets you there.

Quote of the Show:

• "Every opportunity I've had has led me to the next greatest thing. Each step of my career has prepared me for the next in a way that I didn't even realize at the time." — Emily Paik

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilypaik/
• Website: https://talent-talk.kit.com/8a0ad780b7

What separates a good recruiter from a truly great one? In the very first episode of Recruiters on the Rise, Natalie Fink, Head of Global Recruiting at LiveRamp, breaks it down simply: curiosity and business acumen. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience, Natalie shares how the best recruiters go beyond filling roles—they deeply understand the business, the challenges teams are solving, and how talent drives outcomes. This shift from transactional recruiting to strategic partnership is what defines recruiters who are truly “on the rise.”

The conversation dives into what it takes to succeed in today’s hiring environment—from managing high application volume and leveraging AI tools to creating meaningful candidate experiences that strengthen employer brand. Natalie also shares practical insights on scaling teams, influencing hiring managers, and evaluating talent in an AI-driven world. Whether you're early in your recruiting career or leading a talent function, this episode lays the foundation for becoming a more thoughtful, effective, and impactful recruiter.

Takeaways:

• Develop both curiosity and business acumen: The best recruiters understand not just the role, but the business behind it. This means learning how the company makes money, who its customers are, and what problems it’s trying to solve so you can better assess candidate fit.
• Don’t treat recruiting like a funnel-only process: Focusing only on top-of-funnel or bottom-of-funnel metrics can limit your effectiveness. Strong recruiters think holistically about outcomes—how each candidate moves through the process and what success looks like long-term.
• Prioritize candidate experience at every stage: Simple practices like timely communication and thoughtful preparation go a long way. Natalie emphasizes quick turnaround times, meaningful prep for interviews, and consistent follow-up to build trust and engagement.
• Use tools and systems to improve consistency—not replace judgment: Technology can help manage volume, but it should enhance, not replace, human decision-making. Features like delayed feedback and AI-assisted ranking can streamline workflows while still allowing recruiters to stay thoughtful and intentional.
• Build strong partnerships with hiring managers: Alignment, early and ongoing coaching are critical to avoiding delays and poor candidate experiences. Helping hiring managers make timely, informed decisions improves both hiring outcomes and overall process efficiency.
• Leverage networks to scale hiring effectively: Especially at senior levels, referrals and networks can accelerate hiring momentum. Each strong hire can unlock additional talent, creating a compounding effect that helps teams scale faster.
• Hire for adaptability and real-world AI usage: In today’s environment, it’s not just about technical skills—it’s about how candidates use tools and think through problems. Evaluating how candidates interact with AI and navigate ambiguity can reveal critical strengths in judgment and resilience.

Quote of the Show:

• “The best recruiters don't just understand hiring, but they understand the business that they're hiring for.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thinkfink/
• Website: https://liveramp.com/

This is Recruiters On The Rise. Join Colleen Gallagher for candid conversations with talent leaders as we explore the work that drives them, the lessons they've learned, and how they're helping people find careers they love. The show is sponsored by Lavalier, an interview intelligence platform built by Textio.