David Hiford, Lead Talent Acquisition at Hitachi Rail, challenges the dangerous assumption that experience always equals competence. With nearly four years in recruitment across New Zealand and the UK, David has witnessed firsthand how companies miss out on exceptional talent by refusing to consider career switchers, from engineers becoming project managers to military personnel transitioning to civilian roles.
In this episode, David reveals the hidden conformity bias that's creating homogenous workforces and limiting organizational strength. He shares why hiring managers gravitate toward candidates who mirror their own educational backgrounds and experience, particularly in industries like finance where Russell Group university preferences still dominate decision-making. David's insights on unconscious bias training and the importance of acknowledging our inherent biases provide a roadmap for more inclusive hiring practices.
David's surprising hire story perfectly illustrates his philosophy of prioritizing potential over paper credentials. His approach to spotting talent comes down to one fundamental question: "Do you feel like this is a good person?" This human-centered perspective, combined with skills-based assessment tools, has helped him build stronger, more diverse teams at Hitachi Rail while navigating the complexities of organizational mergers and transformations.
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