This week on [radically candid], I’m sitting down for a behind-the-scenes look on all things hiring and culture with Alexandra Mills, Head of People here @ [cognition].
Who it’s for: Whether you’re looking to join a team like ours or you’re building one yourself, the rules of the game have changed. In a job market that’s more competitive than ever, understanding what truly matters—to both candidates and companies—is the key to success.
People vs. HR 🤝
Alex breaks down the differences between “People and HR” and explains that the winning workplace today is about creating a supportive ecosystem for the holistic human.
The People-Focused Motion Highlights:
- Culture: Built with intentionality for the purpose of nurturing.
- Career Pathing: Creating a clear roadmap for what’s next in your career.
- Strategic Partnership: Working with leadership to guide the business forward while advocating for employees.
Want to make your resume stand out?
Alex’s advice is simple yet powerful: be authentic.
- Be Yourself: In an era of AI-generated applications, your unique personality and personal passions are your greatest assets.
- Tailor Your Application: Mass-applying is a losing game. Take the time to customize your resume for the role you truly want, it will get noticed by the right company.
- The Cover Letter is Your Friend: A thoughtful cover letter that goes beyond a template and shows you’ve done your homework is a game-changer. Mention specifics about the company or the role that excite you.
“In the world of AI… how are you going to be YOU in an interview? How are you going to stand out? What’s important to you? Those type of things shine through.”
Acing the Interview 🤝
The interview is a conversation. Remember, you’re interviewing the company just as much as they’re interviewing you.
- Don’t Be a Robot: Prepare, but don’t over-rehearse. Do your research, know who you’re meeting with, and have a few nuggets ready to start a discussion.
- Ask the Right Questions: Alex says the most overlooked areas for insight as a candidate are questions. Ask about the team you’d be on, who you’d be reporting to, compensation, all of it. You don’t want to get 3 months in and find out it’s not a fit.
“Know thyself and be authentic to who you are.”
The greatest advantage remains clear and ever present – YOU are what makes you unique.
💬 Why You Should Listen
If your 2025 goals include:
✅ Landing your dream job
✅ Building a team
✅ Understanding what great company culture really looks like
…then this episode is for you.
What’s the #1 career-navigating question you have?
Drop it in the comments below.
Talk soon,
Tim Rowe from Marketing
