The Power of Personal, Warm Recruitment

Recruitment, a fast and impersonal trade? Far from it when you knock on WHY’s door — the agency specialising in recruitment and selection with a personal touch! WHY consciously swims against the rapid current and puts an authentic approach first. Read on and discover — thanks to Talent Scout and Talent Connector Philip Pousset — the added value of involved recruitment, the key ingredient of ‘time’, and the long-term results for ambitious companies and eager-to-learn IT professionals.

Recruitment is sometimes seen as a fast, impersonal industry. Why does WHY think this perception exists?

“There are so many needs in the market that the world of recruitment is undoubtedly buzzing. But within that vibrant sector, there are also many — often large — organisations that work with strict targets. Setting goals is something we can only applaud. The downside? Target-driven headhunters rush through CVs at high speed. Naturally, the blame does not lie with them. They are simply doing everything they can to meet their employer’s tough KPIs. Quickly contacting, introducing, and hopefully contracting: unfortunately, this often makes job seekers look at recruitment with a hint of suspicion. From the day WHY was founded, we have taken a more personal path.”

When you say WHY, you immediately say: personal recruitment. Why do you take a different approach?

“Precisely because the common recruitment methods are so fleeting, we consciously choose to slow down. Not in the sense that we are slow — watch us! (laughs) But in the sense that we intentionally take the time to get to know people properly. Listening, showing respect… That matters more than ever in recruitment and selection, if you ask us. Filling a vacancy as fast as possible should not be the ambition. Filling it as well as possible — that is what we commit to.”

What characterises talent scouting and talent connecting at WHY?

“Who are the people behind the vacancy, and who are the people behind the CV? When an IT professional looks for a new job, the job content naturally matters — but there is more to it. We are very alert to professional and personal ambitions. What does someone enjoy doing at work and outside office hours? Is there an international trip coming up, a move, or perhaps a growing family on the horizon? By getting to know each other thoroughly, you understand one another far better.”

And that makes recruitment more than just a professional matter.

“That’s right! When quantity is your driving force, there is no time to follow your gut. And that gut feeling should not be underestimated. On the client or candidate side, we want to create the best match. Everything may look perfect on paper, but if the feeling isn’t right, we communicate transparently about that with all parties involved.”

Part of WHY’s authentic recruitment lies in your long-term collaborations. How do you build warm partnerships?

“A first introduction is not always prompted by an urgent hiring need. We regularly visit companies we might help in the future with the search for strong IT talent. Warm companies with a desire to grow — in any area. Who are they? What do they do? Getting acquainted is always valuable. A few months later, we check in again without obligation. How is your business doing? Where are you in achieving your goals? A genuine partnership comes from both sides. We want to truly know our clients and stay in the loop. Our clients, in turn, know they can always rely on us — for urgent hiring, advice on their recruitment strategy, or an inspiring lunch meeting. WHY is ready.”

Finally, what are the main benefits of personal recruitment?

“Because we invest so much time, energy, and passion into our network, one of the short-term benefits is that we can immediately tackle urgent needs. We know our connections personally and can reach out to them quickly. This means our approach brings peace of mind to the hiring company or hiring manager right away. In addition, WHY is not a supplier, but a recruitment partner who thinks with you, grows with you, informs you, and advises you. Whether companies or IT talents are going through a rough patch, we are there to support them. Professional, solution-oriented, and personal — that is WHY in a nutshell.”