‘Speed dating’ secures top talent for major aftermarket player

Specialist aftermarket recruiters, Glen Callum Associates, has been pioneering its ‘Meet the Employer’ sessions, which have been likened to ‘speed dating’, to encourage top talent to explore new career opportunities within the industry.

The initiative, designed to streamline the hiring process, quicken decision making and ensure a strong cultural fit between candidates and employers, has received positive feedback from industry leaders working with GCA, including Corteco.

After struggling with traditional recruitment methods and facing dead ends, Corteco turned to Glen Callum Associates and has shared how GCA’s streamlined approach has saved both time and resources.

Corteco had been seeking candidates with specific aftermarket experience combining both car and commercial vehicle spares, but conventional recruitment channels yielded little success. The ‘Meet the Employer’ initiative, which resembles a ‘speed dating’ format, allowed Corteco to rapidly assess candidates' suitability and act upon good candidates as they became available.

Steve Jarnet, Commercial Director at Corteco said: “I wish I’d done it six months ago. I was looking to backfill a specific position and had been recruiting on LinkedIn but wasn’t getting any success and lost a lot of time. The process quickly narrowed down a pool of 20 candidates to three strong contenders, all of whom could have been ideal hires.

"The speed dating process was really successful, as I could tell pretty quickly if we were on the right lines. I’ll be using Glen Callum Associates again in a heartbeat."​

The essence of GCA’s success lies in its ability to connect candidates and employers more directly and transparently. The 15-minute online sessions offer a focused environment where employers can showcase their company’s culture and job specifics while candidates demonstrate their skills and fit for the role.

This approach not only speeds up decision-making but also enhances the overall quality of hires by ensuring a stronger alignment between both parties from the outset.

Glen Shepherd, Director at Glen Callum Associates, added: “The ‘Meet the Employer’ sessions are designed to benefit both employers and candidates offering both parties a ‘try before you buy’ session. In today’s fast-paced world, the traditional interview process can be lengthy and inefficient. By facilitating direct, early-stage interactions, we help companies like Corteco find the right talent more quickly and efficiently, ultimately enhancing their recruitment strategy.”