HHH_Jamie Szymkowiak
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[00:00:00] Welcome to Hiring Happy Hour, where we celebrate the human side of hiring. I'm your host, Nicole Hammond, and together we'll pull back the curtain on people shaping the future of work, the innovators, the dreamers, the change makers behind today's hiring experience. These are the real stories behind the dashboards.
From leaders transforming talent acquisition to the everyday moments that remind us why we love hiring in the first place, to connect people with purpose, hiring happy hours. Brought to you by Smartrecruiters, an SAP company, the AI powered software for super human hiring, helping organizations hire faster, smarter, and we're human.
Nicole Hammond: All right, everyone. Today is a unicorn kind of day, maybe because it's also following St. Patty's day, and there are rainbows and unicorns always in the theme of this household. But today I have a wonderful guest that has shared with me some great stats that I had no [00:01:00] idea about unicorns. Uh, and you'll learn more in a bit. But he is an impressive TA and HR specialist with over a decade of experience. He has a diverse background including owning. Peace recruitment and independent recruitment consultancy, as well as serving in the House of Commons in the uk.
Very broad background, but will fit our topics for today. He served on the board of Into Work a nonprofit that supports disabled people achieving their goal of finding and keeping a great job, of Talent Acquisition at EcoVadis. Please join me in welcoming Jamie Shim Kak. Welcome to the show, Jamie.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Thanks very much, Nicole. That was quite an introduction. I really appreciate it and well done for pronouncing my name correctly. I've just recently moved to Poland and it took me a number of decades to get it, and people here correct me all the time, so well done.
Nicole Hammond: I might have had some help from you, but You know what? It's really good when you spell out how it sounds like my little kids do. So, uh, I had a little help from a friend. [00:02:00] Um, so excited to have you here. I think your background and kind of the theme of your hiring happy hour is something that we haven't heard.
A lot about, and I think that will be very eye-opening, inspiring. But the other piece I love, and we already alluded to unicorns, is that you educated me on, um, something related to Scotland where you're from. So please share with our audience before we dive into, You know, our hiring happy hour, um, how unicorns and Scotland have this
great connection.
Jamie Szymkowiak: It was, uh, we were just having a bit of a laugh about our fondness for rainbows and unicorns and sparkles and everything glittery, and I mentioned that unicorn is the national animal of Scotland.
Nicole Hammond: I couldn't be more excited about. I have to tell you
Jamie Szymkowiak: That's amazing, right.
Nicole Hammond: theme in the household. This morning my daughter came down. She has this blanket that has like the hood of a unicorn and the arms of a unicorn, and literally no prompt, no discussion about this. Came down and said, mom, [00:03:00] look, I'm a unicorn. And I just thought the timing was.
So perfect with us speaking today. So here we are. We're we're ready. And unicorns and rainbows are, are surrounding us during, during this discussion.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Great. She's got good taste.
Nicole Hammond: I, she does, she does. Um, so Jamie, let's get right into it. I think, again, this will be so helpful for our listeners and our viewers, uh, to learn more about you, but also your hiring happy hour.
So as you think about that moment or just accolades in your career that again, you are proud of, please share with us a little more about what your hiring Happy Hour is.
Jamie Szymkowiak: It's a really interesting question. Um, so firstly, thank you for posing it. 'cause it made me reflect on how I started my journey as a recruiter. Um, so the story that I would like to share that really. Shaped me, um, as a talent acquisition expert was my [00:04:00] experience. Um, first entering recruitment for an agency where the manager came down and was going to introduce me, um, and take me into an interview room.
But when he realized that I was a disabled person, he got another manager to come down because the sector was focused on construction and engineering. And I didn't know this at the time. It was only a few months later that I. Learned that he was a little bit unsure on whether or not I would be capable, um, of doing the job of, of a recruiter within the construction, um, sector.
But when I did find out, I used that to my advantage and lo and behold, everybody knew me when I went on site. They recognized the small Scottish disabled guy. Um, and what turned out to be the fact that I was the. Uh, trainee of the year across the uk and I ended up being a top 5% biller, Wow. the organization.
So I really used it to my advantage and people remembered who I was.
Nicole Hammond: Uh, [00:05:00] I love this and you gave me goosebumps the first time you shared this story with me, and I think I shared with you when I was in college, we had, uh, an elective class where it was speakers and there was a gentleman that came, um, he was in a wheelchair. He had burns on 80% of his body. Long story short, he had two incidents in his life, not one where he just had to overcome big, big hurdles, adversity, et cetera, but he handed out.
This, uh, little postcard that said, it's not what happens to you, it's what you do about it. And as you shared this story with me, and here's the goosebumps again, um, it really. Made me think that you are living that unicorn saying, right? It,
Jamie Szymkowiak: Hmm.
Nicole Hammond: what happens to you, it's what you do about it. And the fact that that, unfortunate event truly shaped who you are and the way that you go about things and what you proved in that. role in that company, but also just as you continue on in your career is quite amazing because I don't think a lot of [00:06:00] people in this world have the thick skin or have the mindset to truly change it, to make it work for them. Um, so kudos to you because I do
think that is a
Jamie Szymkowiak: Thank you.
Nicole Hammond: Accolade. Um, share more though about how this has shaped your career, because I think an important topic that, You know, transparently, I don't think is top of mind for a lot of organizations And honestly,
Jamie Szymkowiak: And right yeah. And right now we're all racing to include AI and automation and everything that we do within recruitment, but. I take a step back sometimes just to make sure am I giving access to the jobs, to everybody? Um, because sometimes digital exclusion can really impact the opportunities of people.
Um, you look at data, um, and those are excluded from digital access are probably in the lowest income areas. Um, it's ethnic minorities in many instances, [00:07:00] and obviously my own personal passion is making sure that disabled people have the right to jobs. Now, that's something that guided me when I was on the board of directors into work, looking at how you could support people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions.
Access long term good, well paying jobs because. We don't want the workforce, um, claiming benefits and disabled people. We don't want to be stuck at home. We want jobs just like everybody else. And for the natural, um, population, it means there's more taxes going into the government for public services. So all of these things really are important.
And yeah, so that's what's really shaped me to ensure that our hiring processes at EcoVadis and even when I was, um, a director at Peace Recruitment and other jobs I've had. Really wanting to make sure that people can access jobs and that you can be flexible with your processes.
Nicole Hammond: I find this fascinating because I asked you when we first spoke, if you did any consulting, because this is so [00:08:00] educational, right? Not only are you thinking about the audience of, um, disabled, but you are also thinking about what's in a. It for an organization, the tax benefits, et cetera. And so I think this is just such a value add as organizations go through and navigate this area that they may not have the resources to do so.
Or again, it's not a top priority, but it should be. Right. There are benefits for both. And I think to your point, it's fascinating for me to hear, um, just. the advocacy, because I think it is so, so important, and I would love for you to elaborate more on what you have done for those individuals, right?
Maybe some examples or maybe just some best practices, because this is something where in this show, we wanna educate all of our customers, all that are listening on how they can be effective to advocate and support this initiative.
Jamie Szymkowiak: I bet many if not all of your recruiters listening and watching will [00:09:00] have challenged hiring teams to be more flexible, particularly pre pandemic, where we wanted to push people to interview online rather than always getting people to go into the office. And it literally took a global pandemic to change hiring practices.
Um, and now as we see organizations. Uh, returning to the office, uh, perhaps some of that is being rolled back because of instances of candidate fraud or, um, other, other instances that really impact what a business does, rather than Jamie, the disabled rights campaigner. 'cause sometimes you've got to put on two separate hats, but I think what we can do is just make sure that you do offer alternatives.
Whether that is in person interviewing, whether it's a provision of interview questions beforehand so that people, uh, that have a nervous dis disposition or anxiety can really prepare. 'cause you want people to shine during the interviews and [00:10:00] really project their best selves. So I think it's just about, uh, giving people the opportunity to select ways in which they can represent themselves the best way possible.
Nicole Hammond: That's so fascinating because this isn't something that I think of when I think of interviewing. I'm hiring right now for a role and giving the questions ahead of time, or having the recruiter have a prep. Meeting to ensure and ask these things. Um, I'm sure they're doing parts of this, but just to have those moments where we have those offerings, um, to ensure inclusion, but also a safe, comfortable environment for them to go through the hiring process.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Let's take, let's take AI interviewing as a real good example here. Um, like if you're a, if you're a disabled person that's trying to enter the workforce and you don't have any human contact through the application process. And you're faced with questions that roll after minute after minute and you don't [00:11:00] get the moment to pause and reflect.
Um, the sense of nerves and anxiety that builds, um, over a period of time, I've had countless interactions with people where I'm giving them feedback where they really feel that that type of style can, uh, be detrimental to them. Now, it's not gonna be fit for purpose in every single setting 'cause there might be, um, some sectors.
Where it's more beneficial because you've got higher application rate. Maybe I'm thinking of working in cost of coffee or Starbucks, for example, where, or there's other roles where it's really physical labor And so you can see that it's not going to be fit for everything, but you just want to make sure that candidates really have a process that reflects their ability to put them the best, uh, selves forward.
Nicole Hammond: So how do they, when, to your point, there's a lot of automation upfront,
Jamie Szymkowiak: Mm-hmm.
Nicole Hammond: of ai. Um, is there a moment that you recommend that they interject or speak up if it's not offered to them [00:12:00] before that?
Jamie Szymkowiak: Um, well actually, um, a lot of advice I was given early in, in my career was making sure that the job description, um, states clearly that if you need, um, accessible methods for your interviewing or application process, make it available, um, then, 'cause that's. The careers page and the job description is the first window into an organization.
So just making it clear there at that moment early on, shows to the applicant that you're considering their needs.
Nicole Hammond: I love that, and again, speaking from Smartrecruiters. accessibility is always top of mind with our product designers, uh, our tooling, our certifications, and to your point, I think it is a first impression related to the company culture, experience, et cetera. Um, so that is a very powerful best practice as we look at through this experience and as we look at [00:13:00] your experiences in this, is a moment in time that you just. have that shiny unicorn attitude and had to overcome something that took probably a little more mind, uh, over matter than, than you are normally, uh, exhibiting.
Jamie Szymkowiak: A really good example is actually, um, something that I did badly, um, and how that helped me become a better recruiter. So there was an instance when. Uh, myself and my former business partner, um, were just getting going and we were trying to get new customers and new clientele. Um, and I secured a retained fee from this major construction company for a commercial role.
And I wanted to fill it. I was desperate to, um, just showcase how good I was. Um, and they said that it needed to remain a confidential position, um, and that they didn't want the candidates to turn up at the office instead [00:14:00] that they were to meet at a restaurant. Um, I found the perfect candidate. I was extremely confident.
An hour before the interview, the candidate withdrew from the process because he wasn't certain about. The job if he had to meet in a restaurant rather than going to the office. So there was a moment here where I thought, I'm going to tell him the name of the company so that he feels more reassured. Um, but I did say to him, please go to the restaurant.
He forgot that I told him not to go to the restaurant and he turned up at the office. So I had the retained fee. Um, the. Client ended up hiring this individual, but the client never used me again. Oh. And it was that feeling of integrity, um, whilst you're trying to grow a business where I put my needs before the [00:15:00] customer's needs and it came back to bite me.
And so that moment of. Indecision or not indecision when I made the wrong decision, made me really value, um, the fact that you have to have integrity in everything that you do, whether it's representing the company that you're working for and giving them honest insights into the culture. Because changing jobs is like getting married or buying a house or buying a car.
It's a big deal. So you have to be honest. Um, but at the same time when you. Have an agreement with a client and you're an agency recruiter, it's really important that you stick to that and that you can explain the why. And it took that bad instance for me to really remember. Um, the integrity is really important.
So that was a bad instance that actually shaped me
Nicole Hammond: I I mean, lessons learned, right? And I
think
Jamie Szymkowiak: exactly.
Nicole Hammond: to integrity and brand of an individual, I, I always tell my team, like, do everything with the best intent, and [00:16:00] it is a brand and a reputation so that they know when they're giving honest feedback or when they're doing something that everyone around them knows that they have. Good intent. Uh, I think integrity is one of the top, things we should look for in everyone, especially in today's world with fraud, et cetera. Uh, because it's important. It's important for us to. Build trust early in a very remote world and find effective ways to do so. Um, and that not may not always be easy, but lesson learned and, and Jamie, I say this, but your self-awareness is so powerful, so powerful, uh, and how you use it as a superpower to kind of better yourself in this world.
So, so thank you for that. I love that. If we were to consult because I told you you should consult more because you're so good at this. Um, if we were to be consulting an organization and they don't know where to start with the topic of accessibility, the topic of [00:17:00] supporting, um, individuals with disabilities, what would be the top three things you recommend to them?
Jamie Szymkowiak: Number one. Um, there's a same within disabled rights. Um, if it's about us, make sure that we're included. So nothing about us without us. Um, so number one. Get some disabled people that you can speak to. Ask them to review your process, get their advice, And so that's the number one action. Um, when it comes to accessibility and, uh, I and underrepresented groups, I don't know about, um.
What the barriers that women face entering the workforce. So I need to make sure that I listen to women, um, and fix any biases that we have in our processes. Um, the same with race and ethnic minorities. So having, um, solid, um, touch points and advisors that you could go to. I think it's number one step. it. So, and it, that takes a lot of work and a lot of effort.
Um, and you have to be co uh, aware of [00:18:00] your own biases before you can move forward. So that's number one. Um, the second one actually, um, comes to training and education around unconscious bias. I think that that is, um, utmost importance and it has to be done regularly. It's not just a an annual tick box exercise, uh, because you need to remind yourself of your biases.
All the time. Um, so that's the second one. Um, and then the third one goes back to the first one. It's those checkups because maybe you've implemented some changes, but are they working? And so you have to go back and continuously check and review, um, just to make sure that what your intentions are actually working in practice.
So those are the three points of advice that I would offer.
Nicole Hammond: I love that. So making sure the individuals are involved in the process that this would impact. Number two, um, training and education on bias, unconscious bias. I, I mean, [00:19:00] important. And number three, measuring success. I wanna touch on the third one because do you do that? mean, we, we talk about qualitative versus quantitative, um, in the world of measuring success or, or looking back, reflecting and, and adjusting accordingly based on outcomes. But what are some things that organizations can look at as far as how they measure success? You know, hires in these categories would be a, a natural one, but what else?
Jamie Szymkowiak: Um, well, it is a mixture of that qualitative and quantitative feedback. Um, and it's not just. You going out to the market for that. You have to look at external sites and Glassdoor being a window into how an organization works. Unfiltered is a really good point. Um, then word of mouth and the hires that you have, um, made.
Asking them how they feel. 'cause sometimes we actually forget to go and speak to the people that have been really successful through the process because they've had insights into other processes [00:20:00] and they're gonna be more willing to share with you because they know you and they trust you because they've been successful.
So I feel that that's a really good avenue for untapped information.
Nicole Hammond: Love it. Love it. Um, I want to kind of flip this on its back and, and ask a question that's more relative to our, our audience that, that requires support in this and. Are there communities out there, are there areas that they can go and be educated on, Hey, these are the companies that truly support, um, You know, whether it's De and i Disabilities, et cetera. Um, or are there communities where they can ask the questions? Possibly they have an interview and they don't know if what the customer or company did was right, wrong, great, bad.
Jamie Szymkowiak: There are so many. Um, I, I, I'm reminded that when we go through a peak, um, hiring, um, at EcoVadis in certain locations, we connect, um, sometimes with local [00:21:00] NGOs for advice and best practice. For example, a couple of years ago, we were hiring a lot in Berlin.
Nicole Hammond: Okay.
Jamie Szymkowiak: an organization called FRO Loop that help, um, underrepresented groups, particularly refugees and immigrant women, um, enter jobs in tech.
Um, I am, uh, I formed a close relationship with the leader of that organization. I count on her for advice and her wisdom,
Nicole Hammond: Love
Jamie Szymkowiak: um, and her guidance in many ways. Also in Toronto, we've got a local organization that supports us with, um, in, uh, making sure that our practices are accessible. 'cause I don't want to make sure that I am, I don't want to think that I'm the only, uh, custodian of disability.
Um, and my, uh, viewpoints from the UK and my upbringing, uh, formulates everything. So you have to really look at what's right. But then when I go back to the point that we made earlier about, um, digital exclusion, you have to think about the differences between, um, [00:22:00] those, um, established economies that are really at the forefront of technological change versus some of the, um, emerging economies that might have some differences and nuances.
And then there's so many different things that you need to consider, but I think contacting these local NGOs. You know, a quick search on Gemini or Google will will help. I think that's a really good example of how we tackle these things.
Nicole Hammond: Love that. Thank you Jamie. So for those of you listening, um, that may have a disability or are curious more about organizations that support these initiatives and to learn more, uh, Gemini are Google search for the NGOs. We got
this. That's a.
Yeah, no, I, I mean that's where I start a lot of my inquiries and curiosity.
So I love that are going to learn more about Jamie right now. Um, and we've learned about how honestly, um, these things have shaped you to, it's not what happens to you, it's what you do about it, and you've done some [00:23:00] amazing things because of it in your personal life, outside of career, outside of work. What brings you bliss? What makes you smile? What is your happy hour?
Jamie Szymkowiak: I love political activism. Um, so when I was at Peace recruitment. Um, this was around 20 12, 20 13. Um, there was the Scottish Independence referendum. Um, and I got really interested in self-determination and local community activism. Um, again, it's probably related to focusing on the individual and the collective and the community, um, and political participation.
Um, and there was a TV crew. Um, and they noticed me knocking on some doors trying to persuade people and they asked me if I would be open to an interview. Um, and. I am fairly [00:24:00] articulate. I made my points really well. Um, some people notice this, and my activism sort of evolved and changed and got a bit more serious for a period of time.
And this is why in my career history, I. Left, uh, recruitment and TA for a period of time and then, uh, became a political advisor for a few years. Um, and I just found it really fascinating because you could actually see behind the curtain, Oh um, how politics operates. Um, and I was advising on topics ranging from to farming also.
Uh, gender based violence because at that time, um, we were looking at the ratification of the Istanbul Convention that aims to eliminate violence against women and girls. So just your knowledge of various topics, um, it's so interesting and powerful and You know, it's really. Can change people's lives. But then Brexit happened and I [00:25:00] decided I needed to move.
Um, I didn't want to stay in the uk. Um, and I went back to recruitment and, uh, worked in Germany and then moved to Poland. Uh, shortly after that,
Nicole Hammond: So
Jamie Szymkowiak: I.
Nicole Hammond: because that is not what I would've expected as what brings you bliss, but it makes sense if we look at kind of your career path and your time in politics. Uh. find it fascinating because politics is no joke. I mean, we, we have our local community, we have it. Um, we used to be close to the mayor and he asked us to run for mayor, my husband or I,
Jamie Szymkowiak: Are you considering that?
Nicole Hammond: no, no,
no, no,
Jamie Szymkowiak: No.
Nicole Hammond: no. It is not a world that I could live in. Um, too slow. Like there's too many strategic conversations that need to have with too many stakeholders. I say what? Um, shake hands, kiss babies kind of thing.
Um, I, I think I'm a little too honest if I'm being honest, but I would love to learn more because this is so fascinating to me.
It is not an easy world to [00:26:00] navigate. Um, and for you to. Love this means that you must have been really good at it. So share more.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Um, you have to be switched on all the time. You have to consume news constantly because there could be an angle, there could be a difference of opinion that in party politics you want to, um, use against your opponent or you might want to use in your favor. Um, and that constant, I. Trying to think of the angle actually alienated me over a period of time.
'cause I was really wanting to ch uh, focus on change and improvement. But it actually became, it sounds silly now that I'm saying it, but it became a bit too political, um, and less about actually driving change. Um, and that's what sort of made me think again about. The opportunities within that as a, a long term because I think that campaigning and trying to influence is where my heart is [00:27:00] more than actually focusing on the legislation, uh, shaking hands and kissing babies.
So I agree with
Nicole Hammond: Okay. Okay. See, and this makes me feel better because you're absolutely right. It is all about timing. It is all about your surrounding stakeholders. Um, and top of mind. You're always wanting to impact, make change, influence, but it's not a straight road and you have
to
Jamie Szymkowiak: Yeah.
Nicole Hammond: flex accordingly. Um, I do like the way that you say that about just like advocating and, and that part of it, because I'll, I'll be honest, like even sometimes with this. Podcast and, and gosh, now we're getting honest, right? Um, I wake up in some mornings and I'm like, oh my gosh, do I have the energy for this today? But the minute I see the person across from me, I feed off of that, right? And it comes and it happens. And. This is my opportunity, one, to speak to adults. 'cause there's three kids in my household and two outside of the day-to-day lovely community at work, I get to learn about [00:28:00] someone new and hopefully inspire and, and bring them a smile, right?
Like that's, that's the goal at the end of the day. But in the politics world, a lot. That's a lot. Like you said, you're always on.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Well, I'm glad that you're doing the podcast. It's great that you're, and that you've decided to do it. So, uh, thank you and kudos to you for doing it.
Nicole Hammond: Aw, you're so sweet. Thank you. It has been an adventure. Uh, I tell people, sure, why not, but I, I do love it. I do like you, Jamie. I'm gonna learn from you and I'm gonna pat myself on the back. I think I empathize well, and I think I bring the best out of other people as they do to me. And while we are remote, I hope you can feel that because.
Jamie Szymkowiak: When you think that's a skill that most people in TA have? I really think that empathy and being able to identify somebody's strengths and focus on it because. You know, from a, the agency background, you really wanna focus on those key attributes 'cause that's what you're gonna use to sell. And, and then when you're [00:29:00] internal, you want to be honest and empathize, but then pick up on things.
So I think it's really natural for us within TA and recruitment to focus on those areas.
Nicole Hammond: I agree. I also think it's our job to get those individuals, um, advocating for themselves and more confident in that skillset.
Right?
Jamie Szymkowiak: Yeah.
Nicole Hammond: may see it, but they may see it as a line item on their resume or their profile where it actually should be in bold. Big caps, bigger font, because that is their superpower and that's what they should kind of lead with. Um, so I think that's also our job in, in this market too,
Jamie Szymkowiak: I agree. Yes.
Nicole Hammond: bring that to the forefront and to your point, make it fit with the role that, that they should be in. Right. Um, sometimes they may not see that as the best thing for a role that they want or are in. Or it's something that brings them awareness that maybe they should look at something different because that superpower would be better used there.
Jamie Szymkowiak: And You know, Nicole, [00:30:00] when you have account executives that close deals or you've got, um. Developers that have solved a bug, um, for recruiters. The genuine thing that brings me the most happiness is when you find somebody their dream job, because you just know that it's a moment in their life that they're going to remember.
Um, but. Also you have to take away some happy moments when you're saying to somebody, maybe this isn't the right job for you. You've excelled, but here are some key points and some feedback that you can utilize in action in your next interviews, in your other job interviews. And I do that quite a lot actually.
Um, just while I'm saying it, where. Candidates often say to me at the last, like, three minutes or two seconds of the interview, what's your feedback? And I'm like, well, You know, sometimes you're not gonna be the perfect candidate. So I, I feel like it's my duty instead of hiding behind an email or, um, [00:31:00] sending or trying to call them, You know, 10 days later or something.
I feel like I, um. Um, experienced enough where I can say, well, I'm not sure that this is the best job for you, and give them really clear, actionable points. And I always get messages afterwards saying, thank you for being so honest. Um, and I tell them names of other companies that are maybe hiring. Yeah. reminds me of the Miracle on 34th Street where.
Um, Santa Claus would sometimes direct kids to the other store because one store didn't have it. I sometimes feel like I'm Santa Claus in that way, where when somebody's not good for EcoVadis, I say, there's other companies that are hiring and here's some key points. So, yeah, maybe that's, uh, just a, something that I thought of today.
Nicole Hammond: Santa Claus. This is why we're here to think of these things today, but You know why it's so well received, Jamie, is because you're doing it with the best intent. Coming back
to
Jamie Szymkowiak: Hmm.
Nicole Hammond: piece around truly being, um, an. [00:32:00] The, the right person with integrity to do so. So I, I think that's very powerful. think the world is getting better at taking feedback. Um, and as you can imagine, those individuals that are going for jobs might have gone through hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of jobs, and here's another one, but maybe those other hundred and one didn't give them that. Insight that then helps them to take that forward and use that again as their primary superpower. I'm with you. It, it's, it's a world where we should take those types of things because we all wanna be happy in our perfect job and enjoy our job day to day and wake up and say, I'm gonna make an impact again today because I'm in the right role, because I'm using my superpowers and because Jamie helped me to get here.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Um, I just can't believe that maybe some of the takeaways from this are, uh, unicorn and Santa Claus. I think that's, uh,
Nicole Hammond: I
Jamie Szymkowiak: unexpected.
Nicole Hammond: I mean, well, we're gonna keep going because I have more fun for you. We're going to switch to this or [00:33:00] that. So have you played this game before?
Jamie Szymkowiak: I haven't played this game specifically. I'm looking forward to the premise because I feel like I'm very decisive. Um, so I'm excited to play.
Nicole Hammond: And so you can make a decision, you can leave it at that as a mic drop, or you can expand as to the why, or you can choose both. Again, there are. There are rules, but there's no rules, if that makes any sense. Alright.
We're am ready to go.
we're gonna jump right in. one resume or LinkedIn profile.
Jamie Szymkowiak: I'm definitely going to go with LinkedIn because it gives me the impression of how somebody presents themselves to the public.
Nicole Hammond: Love that. I love that. And yeah, I'm with you. Picture all the details. I'm with you. AI or no ai.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Absolutely ai. I love it. Um, candidate note taking is a dream. As a disabled person who would have to write notes all the time, it has just saved me [00:34:00] so much pain, uh, time, effort. It is the biggest aspect of my job that I, um, has changed and been most transformational. So ai, I'm a huge fan.
Nicole Hammond: Oh, I love that. I love that. find me or find you.
Jamie Szymkowiak: I am a recruiter, so find you. I think it's my job,
Nicole Hammond: yes, yes, hunter. I can see it. I can see it. And again, shaking hands, kissing babies. You've got that political smile that'll say, yes, come, come over here. Great job eco VTIs. You have a, a gem. A gem, career path, or whatever comes my way.
Jamie Szymkowiak: so when I was younger, it would definitely be whatever comes my way. Um, I would think year to year, but now I'm more career path focused, driven, ambitious. I'm looking at what's ahead and how I can get there.
Nicole Hammond: Love it. Love it. interview or live human.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Live [00:35:00] human every single day of the week.
Nicole Hammond: Yes. Yes. And that's why we're here, right? Humanizing. Hiring this piece is important all the
time.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Yeah.
it's it's about the nuances. It's about selling the company and the culture and the job and, um, I think that AI will help and support processes, but the human-centric aspect of our job will never go away.
Nicole Hammond: It shouldn't. It shouldn't.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Absolutely. Yep.
Nicole Hammond: Okay. Reward or recognition.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Okay, so, uh, I think that I would go with reward because I recognize my own brilliance.
Nicole Hammond: I just
Jamie Szymkowiak: I
Nicole Hammond: that answer so much. Oh, you are truly amazing, Jamie. Um, good manager or fun job.
Jamie Szymkowiak: actually. Good [00:36:00] manager because I think a good manager makes a fun job. Great. because if you've got a fun job but your manager's a dragon, oh, you'll probably want to look elsewhere. So good management is really, really important.
Nicole Hammond: just brought Dragon into our theme of fictional character.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Oh, no.
Nicole Hammond: nonfictional.
Oh my gosh. And the funny part is my son has the dragon blanket of the unicorn.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Oh my God. Your children have got exquisite taste. I love it.
Nicole Hammond: I mean, someone bought it, right?
Jamie Szymkowiak: Yeah,
Nicole Hammond: Um, four day work week or work remote.
Jamie Szymkowiak: that's actually a really difficult one. I think it's gonna be on the individual, but this is about me, so I love coming to the office. So I'm gonna go four day, week,
Nicole Hammond: There we go. You heard it here. Um, okay. Fun ones, mountains or ocean.
Jamie Szymkowiak: absolutely. Ocean's, a hundred percent. I'm a swimmer, not a climber.
Nicole Hammond: Okay. And do you have a favorite [00:37:00] like vacation spot?
Jamie Szymkowiak: Ooh. Um, so weekend break is Berlin. It's, I lived there for three years. It's my, uh, my heart is there. I just think it's such a fun city. Um, I think if I was, yeah, so that's probably the spot that I would go to. I don't, no, but I know my techno music.
Nicole Hammond: Okay. This one, I am catching you off guard, Scotland, UK or Poland.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Uh, Scotland. I am, uh, very much a advocate of how brilliant the country is. Um, I would also say that I love Poland. I feel at home here. It's such a great country, so I am absolutely equal. Um, I would say yes. And this one I would be a bit indecisive and go, it's a tie between those two.
Nicole Hammond: Okay. What is the animal of Poland? Do we [00:38:00] know?
Jamie Szymkowiak: Eagle, Okay, so
um, I hope
Nicole Hammond: eagle. Unicorn or eagle.
Jamie Szymkowiak: it's gotta.
Nicole Hammond: It does. It has to be. It has to be. I, I've never been to Scotland, but as You know, my husband makes alcohol and makes whiskey. So we need to go. We need to go because now the unicorn theme, the kids will love it.
I mean, it's just, it's, it's moving up the list on where to go next. I love it.
I
Jamie Szymkowiak: I mean to anybody listening or watching. Maybe Google search the North Coast 500.
Nicole Hammond: Okay.
Jamie Szymkowiak: a 500 mile, um, circuit around the north of Scotland, which takes in some of the most breathtaking scenery, but it also has a number of gin and whiskey distilleries on the way.
Nicole Hammond: Which prompts me for my next, this or that, gin or whiskey.
Jamie Szymkowiak: So it is got to be gin because I had a terrible experience with whiskey when I was a teenager, and every [00:39:00] time I smell it, it just brings back bad memories. So gin all the way?
Nicole Hammond: is so crazy for a Scottish man. But at the
same
Jamie Szymkowiak: Yes.
Nicole Hammond: is also in Scotland and very prevalent. So we're, we're going with it. Oh, I love it. Oh, Jamie, this has been so, so fun. Can you please tell our audience where they can connect with you, where they can find you?
Jamie Szymkowiak: Sure. Um, so on LinkedIn's probably the best place to look. Uh, Jamie Koyak probably spelling will be in, uh, the blurb about this post, but that's probably the best way to connect.
Nicole Hammond: Yes. Awesome. Um, thank you so much. This has been a delight, uh, to talk about rainbows in the morning with my coffee, to just learn more about your experiences and to bring me goosebumps that, that, that alone just is so powerful. Your self-awareness, your kindness, your integrity is shining through. Um, and I hope that this topic resonated with our audience, our [00:40:00] listeners, our watchers. Uh. This is a powerful topic and hopefully today, if you haven't already started on this journey, we gave you some helpful topics. But if you wanna learn more, I will tell you, Jamie has a natural consulting ability and I'm sure he would open to answering any and all questions in this regard.
So please reach out. Uh, this been another episode of Hiring Happy Hour. Made me smile. You brought the energy, you brought the fun. Thank you, Jamie.
Jamie Szymkowiak: Thank you very much.
And that wraps another episode of Hiring Happy Hour. Thanks for tuning in and for believing like we do that hiring isn't just about filling jobs. It's about the impact we make. To catch more stories and show notes, visit hiring happy hour.com. This episode was brought to you by Smartrecruiters, an SAP company, an AI powered platform for superhuman hiring.
Until next time, stay curious, stay kind, and keep humanizing hiring. [00:41:00] Cheers.