Ask & Share session on recruitment & L&D

Our L&D Studio community kept the conversation sharp with another Ask & Share session exploring the intersection of two HR pillars:

Recruitment & L&D — How can they meaningfully reinforce each other — not only in sourcing the right talent but also in shaping skills strategies and long-term growth? 🎯

This time, we coordinated a discussion between our community members

- Mara Smyrnioti and 

- Vasilis Ferentinos 

who had a dynamic exchange on how L&D practices can be part of — and even enhance — recruitment strategies.

💡 The conversation provided valuable insights on how L&D tools can be integrated into hiring processes, and how recruiters can influence skills strategies inside companies.

Some key takeaways from the discussion:

🎯 1. L&D Practices That Add Value to Recruitment

Assignments aren’t just for learning — they can used at recruitment to reveal candidates’ thinking, priorities, and potential fit. They help recruiters evaluate critical soft skills like critical thinking and organizational abilities, especially for executive roles. 

But beyond assessment, they give applicants a preview of the company’s way of working — a two-way mirror!

🔍 2. What Learning Activities Tell Us About a Candidate

A candidate’s upskilling and L&D journey tells a story. 

One of openness to learning, self-awareness. It may not be assessed as such, but it helps the candidate for a stronger interview performance.

🛠 3. Recruiters as Skill Advisors

Defining job roles is more than just writing job descriptions. 

Recruiters often act as interpreters of business needs — helping hiring managers decode required skills and adjust expectations (especially when chasing elusive “unicorn” candidates). 

They can also suggest upskilling paths for near-fit internal or external candidates.

🚀 4. Effective onboarding as a Strategic L&D Tool

A robust onboarding process — especially one that includes managerial coaching and on-the-job training — is key to early engagement and long-term performance. As Gen Z enters the workforce, onboarding is no longer a “nice to have,” but a factor they actively ask about.

🔁 5. L&D for internal mobility & Reskilling

Recruiters play a behind-the-scenes role in enabling career shifts inside organizations, by recommending reskilling where appropriate. This is especially valuable when hiring externally is tough and internal talent just needs a boost.

A big thank you to 

- Mara and 

- Vasilis

for an honest, practical, and forward-looking conversation!

Here’s to more Ask & Share sessions ahead — and to bringing together HR Professionals through shared knowledge!