XL Podcast

The world of work is changing. We all know how the pandemic has radically changed how we work and how we hire talent. But, more importantly, the bigger changes lies with those being hired, us.

In this episode of The XL Podcast I’m joined by Hong Kong based headhunter Larraine Chang to get a top level view of what is working (and what isn’t working) in the ever evolving world of careers. One of the big changes in the talent market is how and why people are choosing to move. While salary and company brand are still important, other factors now come into play. As Larraine shares, candidates are more likely to go check out the backstory of an organization, learn about their DEI, ESG and work culture in assessing the overall appeal of a next move.

Candidates are also increasingly aware of the developmental opportunities in an organization. In a recent survey on Linkedin, the number 1 skill listed by Headhunters and Hirers as the skill they most wanted to acquire or focus on was “personal development” (44% of responses). Headhunters are no longer in the business of placing candidates, they are increasingly advising and coaching people on how to make the right career choices. A good Headhunter not only needs to know the organization’s needs, but also the intrinsic motivations of their candidates too.

Larraine advises leaders on the importance of “career by design” as opposed to “by default”. No matter how strong your CV resume, you need to make a conscious decision of how to manage perceptions about your career move. “By design” means planning your career move to make change on your terms rather than by accident, tips which Larraine shares in this podcast episode.

Show Notes

The world of work is changing. We all know how the pandemic has radically changed how we work and how we hire talent. But, more importantly, the bigger changes lies with those being hired, us.

In this episode of The XL Podcast I’m joined by Hong Kong based headhunter Larraine Chang to get a top level view of what is working (and what isn’t working) in the ever evolving world of careers. One of the big changes in the talent market is how and why people are choosing to move. While salary and company brand are still important, other factors now come into play. As Larraine shares, candidates are more likely to go check out the backstory of an organization, learn about their DEI, ESG and work culture in assessing the overall appeal of a next move.

Candidates are also increasingly aware of the developmental opportunities in an organization. In a recent survey on Linkedin, the number 1 skill listed by Headhunters and Hirers as the skill they most wanted to acquire or focus on was “personal development” (44% of responses). Headhunters are no longer in the business of placing candidates, they are increasingly advising and coaching people on how to make the right career choices. A good Headhunter not only needs to know the organization’s needs, but also the intrinsic motivations of their candidates too.

Larraine advises leaders on the importance of “career by design” as opposed to “by default”. No matter how strong your CV resume, you need to make a conscious decision of how to manage perceptions about your career move. “By design” means planning your career move to make change on your terms rather than by accident, tips which Larraine shares in this podcast episode.

What is XL Podcast?

Produced by Pikkal & Co - Award-Winning Podcast Agency.

The XL Podcast by Graham Brown showcases conversations with Authentic Leaders in business and society. By creating conversations not interviews, XL highlights Leaders in their own words, without PR spin or handlers. XL brings regular hard-hitting insights and transformative journeys outside the comfort zone of regular business.

Previous XL guests include Tony Fernandes (CEO AirAsia), Howard Yu (Author & Professor of IMD), Rod Drury (CEO Founder Xero), Hal Bosher (CEO Yoma Bank), Jiawen Ngeow (Successful entrepreneur with $25m exits), Mun Ching Yap (Head of The Air Asia Foundation), Sahar Hashemi (Founder of Costa Coffee and named in The Independent on Sunday as one of The "20 most powerful women in Britain”), Lewis Pugh ("The Human Polar Bear”, UN Patron of The Oceans and World Record holding Swimmer) and Rob Nail (CEO of Singularity University)