Within HR, one of the most challenging areas of work is Talent Acquisition (TA). And within TA, the most challenging part is what is usually called ‘Volume hiring’ or ‘Bulk hiring’. As the name suggests, it involves hiring in large numbers. This usually happens in organisations that are large and people-intensive. Call centres, third-party BPOs, MNC captives are some of the organisations which need volume hiring to keep their wheels moving. Why is ‘Volume Hiring’ challenging? Well, for several reasons. 1. Finding resources A typical centre could need 400-500 resources in a month to support both ‘new’ and ‘replacement’ requirements. Not easy attracting talent for roles that are not really aspirational in the first place. 2. Entry-level salaries are typically quite low. Between 2010-2020, when I was in this space, the entry-level salaries did not increase by 5% over the entire period (annual inflation in India is usually over that mark, so ‘real’ salaries actually reduced)! 3. Pressure of Targets Weekly and Daily hiring targets need to be met. This makes this role feel closer to ‘Sales’ than to ‘HR’. There’s a target on your back EVERY SINGLE DAY! For all these reasons, some HR folks would stay away from this role. On the other hand, there are some who revel in the pressure and the thrill, it provides. My dear friends and ex-colleagues, Gurjeet Singh and Kush Wadhawan, fall in the latter category. Extremely energetic and innovative, they’ve built their career on the back of this specialized area working with top brands. And they’ve done it with the dedication and honesty that it deserves I’ve learnt a lot from them over the years. Here’s applauding you for the great work you’ve done, Gurjeet and Kush!!
From the very beginning of my career, volume hiring or bulk hiring has been one of the most thrilling and exciting aspects I've been involved in. The dynamic environment, the fast-paced decision-making, and the opportunity to shape an organization by bringing in large numbers of talented individuals all contribute to the excitement. Each hiring wave presents unique challenges and learning opportunities, making it a consistently engaging and rewarding experience in my professional journey and obviously working under leaders like Vikas Dua & Kush Wadhawan was a great experience.
Wow !!!!! seeing you and Kush Wadhawan together in a frame .. makes me reminiscing and go down the path about good old days .. Glad that I got a chance to work with great leaders like you both :)
Volume hiring feels like assembling a puzzle with a thousand pieces, and half of them don't even belong to the puzzle.
Thank you Vikas Dua It really means a lot to me to have your support and recognition. I appreciate you thinking of me and taking the time to discuss volume hiring. Thanks again for your kind words 🙏
I have had the privilege of working and growing under the exceptional leadership of both Kush and Gurjeet. Mentors for life Kush Wadhawan Gurjeet Singh
Great to see the most talented and energetic personalities in the recruitment fraternity in the same frame. Fortune to work with some and admired the others.
Well said!
TA is the most critical yet lucrative roles in HR and yet hiring and bulk hiring requires a lot more efforts and selling skills. It is a sales job! It's not just the volume but the 1:1 connection, the same language/message to be delivered and the common spirit to be shared is what makes the difference. It took me back to when I did bulk hiring in my early career, Vikas Dua.. :) Great of you to highlight the naunces so well and the efforts of your friends.
Thank you for sharing these insights! Volume hiring indeed sounds like a high-pressure, high-stakes area within HR. Kudos to Gurjeet Singh and Kush Wadhawan for thriving in such a challenging environment. It's inspiring to see professionals who can turn such demanding tasks into successful careers. How do you think technology and automation are impacting volume hiring today?
Executive Coach & thinking partner of CXOs ॰ Interview Prep mid-senior roles, Career coaching for Growth/Decisions/Transitions ॰ Global Employment Advisor, US Dept of State ॰ MentorCoach for ACC/PCC ॰ Former HR Director
7moVolume hiring is almost a sales role. I used to say - we're in the business of selling offer letters :) I realised that the challenge was not as much the volume part (which was of course very challenging), but remembering that every candidate is still as important as in 'non-bulk' hiring, we're still ambassadors of the organization, superlative candidate-experience is still critical. Keeping all of these in mind and action, while staying sane and pleasant was what the real challenge was. Appreciate you highlighting your colleagues who thrive happily and healthily in the high pressure work. Kudos!