Adam Gellert, founder of Linkus Group and the talent marketplace Hipo (previously HiredHippo), joins us to share insights from his two decades in the recruiting space. With a mission to build the greatest marketplace of pre-vetted diverse, high-potential candidates, Adam is reshaping the job application process with a focus on candidate experience. His expertise spans from helping startups hire their first employee to supporting companies scaling to 250+ people.

In this eye-opening conversation, Adam reveals why speed is the biggest hiring mistake companies make, explaining how rushing to fill positions without proper planning leads to poor outcomes. He challenges conventional hiring wisdom, arguing that recruiting is about getting “the best possible person, in the fastest amount of time, for the lowest cost” - and that companies don’t need to compromise on any of these factors when they plan properly. Adam discusses how unconscious biases prevent organizations from recognizing great talent, and explains why the future of recruiting will be less about sourcing and more about consulting on fit and retention.

Adam shares compelling insights about surprising hires that defied conventional expectations, including candidates who started at $70K salaries and eventually commanded $500K. This episode challenges listeners to reconsider their hiring processes, recognize the limitations of what “looks good on paper,” and embrace a more nuanced approach to identifying high-potential talent that can transform organizations.

Resources Mentioned

• Adam’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamgellert
• Linkus Group: https://www.linkusgroup.com - Recruiting agency for hard-to-fill roles
• Hipo: https://hirehipo.com - Talent marketplace for high-potential candidates

Show Resources

• CV Free Toolkit: cvfree.me/join - Break up with the CV and get everything you need to modernize your hiring approach with skills-based assessments
• Willo: willo.video - The most cost-effective way to screen candidates at scale. Interview candidates anywhere & at any time
• Connect with the Hosts:
  • Andrew “Woody” Wood: linkedin.com/in/andrew-douglas-wood
  • Anita Chauhan: linkedin.com/in/anitachauhan