#WorkableChat is a bi-weekly twitter chat where we speak with the leading thinkers in HR. It’s your chance to get hints and tips from the experts on topics from scaling recruitment efforts to HR technology and much more.
We had our first NYC guest, Natalie Ledbetter, Head of Talent Acquisition at Shapeways, sharing insight on what recruitment is all about – people.
Check out the highlights below.
Let’s start off with telling us about @Shapeways and your role on the team?
@_RobLong @Workable Hi everyone. So #shapeways is a startup dedicated to democratizing 3D printing. I run talent in NYC #workableChat
— Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
What are some of your biggest hiring challenges that you face recruiting at Shapeways?
@Workable we have some very unique challenges because of the space we are in. We are in tech, e-commerce, and manufacturing #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable competing with the likes of Google, FB, Twitter etc is something all tech companies are experiencing #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable considering that NYC isn’t really a hub for manufacturing, finding manufacturing professionals has been tough #workablechat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable throw in the fact that very few people are experienced in INDUSTRIAL 3D printing, and the challenges keep on coming #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable That said, I love what I do and enjoy a challenge, so it motivates me to step my game up #WorkableChat
— Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
When competing for engineers (+ manufacturers!) in a city like NYC, what’s been your approach to getting them in the door?
@Workable everything I do is tailored to the candidate. No one likes template emails and 1st impressions are everything #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable Engineers are barraged by emails all day, so standing out from the garbage is key! #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable How do you stand out? Learn about the candidates before you reach out! Read their blogs, twitter, linkedin etc #workablechat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable being able to connect is half the battle, and in order to make that connection, you have to do your research #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable look at their passion projects on Stack Exchange, Github etc. Treat them like a human! #workablechat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable if you can relate to the person or if there is overlap in their interests an your culture/co’s value prop, say so! #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
.@ShapewaysTalent definitely being genuine + honest will go a long way. #workablechat — Workable (@Workable) November 20, 2014
@Workable Don’t ever forget that recruitment is about PEOPLE, making connections and building relationships! #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@ShapewaysTalent totally agree. So often that’s forgotten & it becomes a numbers game. Everyone loses when that happens #workablechat — Rob Long (@_RobLong) November 20, 2014
@_RobLong Yep, which is what makes my job so hard! I’m consistently explaining why Shapeways (and myself) are different #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
When you’re doing in-depth research on each candidate, how do you keep track of all that data? Any tools you use?
@Workable Now that I have Workable I can store all of the pieces of info, notes, data about each candidate in their profiles! #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable before I was using google docs an it was a nightmare! #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable I’ve reached out to/connected w/ 608 engineers in the past 1.5 yrs that I’ve been at #shapeways so you can imagine! #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@ShapewaysTalent @Workable wow, that’s an enviable network of talent! #workablechat — Rob Long (@_RobLong) November 20, 2014
@Workable When you are in a fast-paced environment, meeting tons of candidates, it’s all about organization and details! #WorkableChat
— Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
When you come across someone who’s a good fit, how do you make sure they have a good experience w/ you + the company?
@Workable honestly if you don’t truly love recruitment or believe in your company, don’t be a recruiter #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@ShapewaysTalent @Workable such an important factor to consider when you’re hiring a recruiter #workablechat — Rob Long (@_RobLong) November 20, 2014
@ShapewaysTalent @Workable if a recruiter isn’t excited & passionate about your mission how can they genuinely excite other #workablechat
— Rob Long (@_RobLong) November 20, 2014
@_RobLong @Workable 100% correct. At the end of the day recruitment is relationship building and sales #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@_RobLong @Workable if you have ever sold something you don’t believe in, you know it’s the worst! #WorkableChat Gotta drink the kool-aid
— Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable I treat people how I’d want to be treated. Respond in a timely manner, be genuine, be honest #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable I also think of my candidates as reflections of me and my work. #WorkableChat
— Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
Tell us about how you prep and coach you candidates! You mentioned this in the blog.
@Workable I think coaching is the best and most rewarding part of my job! #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable As I mentioned, interviewing is a SKILL. Some people are just really bad at it! Practice makes perfect #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable I invest in my candidates when I believe in them. And that includes going to bat for them when people pass on them #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable I think about interviewing a bit like pitching, but you are the product. #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable I work with my candidates so they know how to tell their story in a way that is engaging #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
@Workable I want them to be prepared and know what they should focus on and which things to stay away from #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
Really great perspectives from @ShapewaysTalent! Any last tips Natalie before we wrap up our #WorkableChat?
@Workable Realize that to be truly effective in this game, you need to be a people person #WorkableChat — Natalie Ledbetter (@ShapewaysTalent) November 20, 2014
Thanks Natalie for sharing! You can keep in touch with her and she’s hiring in NYC + Netherlands!
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