Architecture talent acquisition is more than posting a job advert. It is the way a practice identifies, attracts, assesses and keeps the people it needs.
If the process is slow, vague or unclear, good candidates drift. If the role is poorly defined, the wrong people apply and the right people self-select out.
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This related episode adds an employer-side angle on widening talent pools and building a more thoughtful hiring approach.
Define the attraction problem
Before looking for more applicants, ask why the right candidates would choose you. Salary, project type, team culture, flexibility, progression and leadership all matter.
- What does the candidate get that is hard to find elsewhere?
- What project evidence can you share publicly?
- What is the real salary and progression route?
- How quickly can you move from application to decision?
- Where does your current process lose people?
Make the process easier to trust
Candidates judge the practice by the hiring process. Clear communication, realistic timelines, prepared interviewers and honest feedback all affect trust.
This is especially important when the market is uncertain. Candidates may need more confidence before moving roles.
Think beyond the obvious candidate pool
Talent acquisition also means widening where you look and how you assess. If every role is defined in the same narrow way, the practice may miss people with transferable or under-recognised experience.
Common mistakes
- Calling it talent acquisition but running a slow admin process.
- Using vague employer-brand language with no evidence.
- Ignoring inclusive hiring until the shortlist is already narrow.
- Letting strong candidates wait too long between stages.
- Treating salary as separate from attraction.
Architecture Social view
Stephen’s recruiter view is that talent acquisition should make the right candidate feel seen, informed and able to decide. If the process creates confusion, it works against the practice.
Next step
Use this with the Architecture Social recruitment consultancy, the architecture recruitment strategy guide, the promote a job advert product and live architecture jobs.
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