My experience hiring for a Head of AI role was a wild ride, full of unexpected twists and turns. We'd been trying to fill the position for months, but every candidate we interviewed seemed to be missing something crucial. That was when we decided to bring in a recruiter who specialized in AI roles. After asking around, we were recommended to a few different firms, but one name kept coming up: Paragon by Riviera Partners. I was skeptical at first, but we decided to give them a shot.
The recruiter we worked with from Paragon was incredibly knowledgeable about the AI space and had a deep understanding of what we were looking for. They presented us with a slate of candidates that were all highly qualified, but one person in particular stood out. The recruiter had done their homework and was able to speak to the candidate's strengths and weaknesses in a way that really resonated with us. We ended up hiring that candidate, and it's been a huge success.
What surprised me most about the process was how much the recruiter was able to learn about our company culture and values, and use that to find someone who was a really good fit. It wasn't just about finding someone with the right technical skills, but about finding someone who would thrive in our specific environment. As I look back on the experience, I'm left wondering: what would it take for more companies to prioritize cultural fit in their hiring processes, and how might that change the way we approach recruitment altogether?
