New ways to meet talent

Real encounters, real talent

By first introducing candidates informally, you significantly lower the threshold for applying. The result? More valuable encounters and a wider range of talent who might never have responded otherwise.

A casual setting provides space for authentic conversations. A formal job interview, wearing a tight suit and a table in between, often shows only a fraction of who someone really is. Standard questions lead to standard answers and sometimes hide a candidate's true qualities.

According to a Harvard Business Review report, 81% of traditional job interviews are not reliable enough to predict future performance.

If you opt for an innovative approach, such as informal introductory activities, an open atmosphere is created where both parties can be themselves. This not only helps you select the right person, but also gives candidates the opportunity to find out if your company culture suits them. The result? A fairer and more complete picture of the person in front of you — as a professional and as a person.

Out of the office chair

Out of the office chair

A successful example from our own practice is De Wandeling (“The Walk”), a recruitment campaign designed specifically to attract new colleagues by breaking away from the traditional job interview.

Instead of a formal meeting at the office, we invite candidates for a relaxed walk outdoors. Gone is the pressure of a formal setting — here, it’s all about the connection. During the walk, open conversations naturally unfold, allowing both sides to discover whether there’s a genuine match.

This low-threshold approach makes it easier for candidates to take the first step. And with great success, we’ve already welcomed several new colleagues through this method.

Dive into practice

Any other idea? Give potential candidates a glimpse into the real world. Invite them to view an ongoing project or have them join a brainstorming session. No frills, no sales pitch — just the workplace as it is.

This offers candidates a valuable opportunity: they immediately see what it's like to work together within your organization, without having to prepare for a job interview. At the same time, a Project Peek you have a unique opportunity to see how someone thinks, reacts and contributes in a real work situation. It's all about interaction and dynamism. Candidates get an honest look at the company, the culture and their potential colleagues — something that normally only happens after multiple interviews. This way, both parties can experience whether there is a possible match early in the process.

The Society for Human Resource Management issued a report in 2024 showing that companies that involve candidates early in daily work have a 35% greater chance of successful placement.

Honesty as a strategy

By abandoning the traditional job interview as a starting point and opting for accessible meetings, you increase the chance of a successful match. The more accessible the first meeting, the greater the chance that both you and the candidate can be themselves.

This is a must in a market where the right match makes the difference. No polished stories or empty promises, but an honest picture of what your organization has to offer and what you expect. Transparency from the first contact lays the foundation for lasting relationships and prevents costly mismatches. This way, you attract more talent that suits your organization and lay a foundation for a collaboration that really works.

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