The hiring process is critical for a company’s growth, yet inefficiencies can pose significant hurdles. Slow recruitment frustrates recruiters, risks hiring quality and becomes even more problematic amid rapid expansion or intense competition.
Consider a tech company in the throes of growth, struggling to recruit skilled product designers to keep pace with product demand.
This challenge was all too real for Bill Victor, VP of Design & Research at Tealium, a leader in customer data solutions, as he sought to bolster his team amidst the company’s expansion. Tealium’s newly formed product design team faced a sluggish start in its hiring process, highlighting the need for a more efficient strategy.
We recently sat down with Bill and Cypress Managing Director, Kirt Kreutzer to discuss how they partnered together to speed up and scale the recruitment process. Our conversation with them sheds light on their successful partnership ensuring Tealium’s continued growth and competitive edge.
Overcoming Hiring Obstacles: A Closer Look
Bill and Kirt’s collaboration offers valuable insights into overcoming common hiring obstacles. Let’s explore their journey and lessons learned. Below are excerpts from our conversation.
Can you give us some background on Tealium and the challenges it faced?
Bill: Tealium was interested in having more of a product-led focus on its offering. They have been mostly an engineering-led company before and they build a great product, but we’re hitting that wall that a lot of companies do when it’s time to scale. So they brought in a very talented SVP of product who told them rightly, you’re going to need a product design department. So they contacted me and that’s what led me to be recruited to go to Tealium. They had some loose design experience, I had a couple of designers on staff, but it wasn’t organized and it wasn’t a true competency within the company. And that was my charge.
Kirt: Tealium had skilled recruiters but lacked experience in hiring product designers. Bill had inherited a competent design team, yet expanding this team was crucial. Recognized as a top product design leader, Bill’s presence, along with Tealium’s innovative data platform projects, presented a prime opportunity. Our previous work with Bill allowed us to effectively leverage our knowledge of product design requirements, significantly improving Tealium’s recruitment strategy.
What was your initial hiring experience at Tealium, and how did it show the need for improvement?
Bill: Our internal recruiters lacked experience in hiring designers. The candidates they provided excelled in web design and brochureware but lacked the necessary skills for application interface design. Additionally, their search was limited to a small pool within Atlanta, not fully utilizing platforms like LinkedIn. This situation led us to explore external agencies to broaden our search for qualified designers.
How did the challenges of filling product design lead to the partnership with Cypress and Tealium, and what impact did this have on the hiring process?
Kirt: Typically product design roles would have remained open for months, which isn’t rare when we begin collaboration. At Tealium, it seemed there was little effort to fill these critical positions before engaging Cypress. Despite having job postings, the randomness and lack of desired quality in applicants were apparent. Recognizing Tealium’s strong engineering focus—typical for tech startups—the need for a strategic approach to hiring product designers and managers was clear. It became evident that waiting for the right candidate to appear was not viable; proactive measures were needed.
Bill: The first cycle is if we can’t find you someone in 90 days, even though that may be a standard hiring cycle, we’re going to get help. And that’s exactly what happened. So I didn’t have to sell Cypress or my need to Tealium, which was a positive. They acknowledged we don’t have the skill, we’re not sharp on it. We’ll learn. We don’t want to always rely on recruiting agencies, but we’re going to help you. And that’s what happened.
Bill, how has your understanding of the business aspects of staffing evolved, and what role did Cypress play in this development?
Bill: My initial exposure to the business side of staffing, including budgeting and managing headcount fluctuations, was at my previous company. Navigating the unpredictable nature of staffing needs—like sudden vacancies or the inability to backfill positions—was challenging. Over time, my experiences, especially with Cypress, have significantly enhanced my grasp of these dynamics. Interestingly, understanding the cost associated with securing top-quality candidates and the impact of budget considerations on recruitment outcomes has been pivotal. Joining Tealium, I encountered a limited recruitment infrastructure, where the recognition of my unfamiliarity with specific skills by our team underscored the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in overcoming staffing challenges.
What does it mean to you to bring in “the right people,” and how has Cypress contributed to achieving this?
Bill: Bringing in the right people involves focusing on key qualities and maintaining consistency in our recruitment criteria, which simplifies the process. Perfect matches are rare, and not every hire will blend seamlessly into the team. However, the consistency we’ve achieved with Cypress has led to more successful hires than when we struggled to find any suitable candidates at all. This approach prevents us from making poor hiring decisions that could negatively impact the team. Cypress’s role has been crucial in this regard, ensuring we don’t have to compromise on quality or settle for less—so much so that I haven’t felt the need to explore other agencies.
What advice do you offer to companies aiming to refine their hiring processes, particularly in the tech and SaaS sectors?
Bill: It’s crucial to understand the specific needs of SaaS companies building modern applications across various platforms. Recognizing the expertise level you require is key. Many agencies are proficient in this area, as early adaptability has been essential. The distinction lies in demonstrating role-specific expertise.
Kirt: Empathizing with candidates is essential. In a fluctuating market, preparedness is crucial. Simplification and clarity in your hiring criteria streamline the process. Specify the core qualities you seek; a clear, decisive approach eliminates uncertainty and expedites hiring. Streamlining and simplifying ensure efficient and effective recruitment.
What practices contribute to Bill’s success in streamlining the hiring process and securing top talent efficiently?
Kirt: Bill’s approach is to be directly involved from the beginning. He prioritizes a personal connection with candidates, starting with an initial call, followed by team discussions, and culminating in a final presentation. This direct engagement streamlines the selection process, reducing unnecessary steps and quickly identifying if a candidate is a good fit. Unlike some managers who delegate initial screenings, Bill’s hands-on involvement ensures that decisions are made swiftly and effectively, without diluting his vision for the team with too many opinions. His method demonstrates the importance of consistency and simplicity in the hiring process, avoiding constant changes that can complicate and prolong decision-making. By maintaining a structured approach and adapting as needed without compromising the process’s integrity, Bill exemplifies how a clear, consistent strategy can enhance hiring efficiency and team cohesion.
Key Takeaways for Enhancing Recruitment Efficiency
Bill and Kirt’s experiences at Tealium underscore the importance of a strategic partnership and a clear, streamlined hiring process. By prioritizing direct communication, understanding specific role requirements, and maintaining a flexible yet structured approach, companies can overcome common hiring challenges, even in the most competitive sectors.
This journey not only sped up Tealium’s hiring process but also ensured the recruitment of talent that would drive the company’s continued growth and success in the dynamic tech landscape.
