This week’s newsletter is a little shorter than usual.
All three of my kids have been sick, and it’s been a rough one. But we’re all human here, so let’s get to it.
Here’s the thing I need you to hear today:
You don’t get to decide if you have a talent brand. You already have one.
It’s being built every time someone applies.
Every time you schedule (or reschedule) an interview.
Every time you respond, or don’t.
Every time a candidate walks away saying, “Well, that was confusing.”
Your hiring process is telling a story. The only question is: Are you the one writing it?
For the Founders, COOs, and People Leaders
Most companies think brand = what marketing pushes out.
But here’s the truth: The way you hire is one of the loudest signals your company sends.
And it’s not just loud to candidates. It’s loud to investors, future employees, and potential partners.
You’re building your reputation when:
A candidate walks away not understanding what the role actually is
An interview process drags for three weeks with no clarity
Feedback is vague or never shared
Ask yourself:
Would a candidate walk away from your process more excited to join you, or less?
If someone doesn’t get the job, are they still telling others good things about how they were treated?
Is your process giving people confidence in your leadership, or quietly undermining it?
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is intention.
Because if you’re not shaping your talent brand, the market will do it for you.
For Candidates
You can learn a lot about a company before you even join.
How they interview you is how they operate.
That process is the preview.
Look for:
Do the interviewers seem aligned, or like they’ve never met before?
Do they communicate timelines and stick to them?
Are they honest about challenges, or selling a fantasy?
Do they follow up, or ghost when it’s inconvenient?
That’s not just “recruiting.” That’s culture. That’s leadership. That’s how they treat people.
You deserve clarity. You deserve transparency. And most of all, you deserve to make an informed decision about where you spend your time and energy.
The Bottom Line
Every company builds a talent brand. It’s either intentional and aligned…or accidental and chaotic.
If you’re serious about growth, you can’t afford to treat hiring like a behind-the-scenes task. It’s the front line of your reputation.
Want to know what story your hiring process is telling?
Let’s take a look at it together.
Reply to this email to set up a time to connect.
See you next Monday,
Robin
#gorogue