Recruiting Across Borders, Building Trust & The Future of Hiring

Talks at the Water Cooler

In this episode of Talks at the Water Cooler, Richard and Aaron are joined by Mark Mahana, Managing Director of Dynamic Minds Recruitment, for an honest conversation about the realities of modern recruitment.

Mark shares his journey into the recruiting industry, the key differences between UK and US recruitment markets, and why recruiting is one of the most challenging industries—because the product is people. The discussion explores candidate engagement, relationship-based recruiting, diversity and neurodiversity in the workplace, and the early role AI is beginning to play in hiring.

This episode offers practical insight for recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates navigating today’s competitive and evolving job market.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Mark Mahana’s path into recruitment
• Key differences between UK and US hiring markets
• Why every role is considered a critical hire
• The gap between job descriptions and real job expectations
• How candidates can better prepare and show up in interviews
• Diversity, inclusion, and neurodiversity in recruitment
• Relationship-building as the foundation of recruiting success
• The current state of the job market—and why it will shift
• Where AI fits (and doesn’t fit) in recruitment today

Key Takeaways:

• Recruitment is challenging because it centers on people, not products
• Job descriptions rarely reflect the full reality of a role
• Candidates must advocate for themselves and prepare intentionally
• Diversity in recruitment is about access and opportunity
• Strong relationships drive long-term success in hiring
• AI is a tool, not a replacement for human judgment
• Proactive engagement separates average recruiters from great ones

Connect With Us:

Have thoughts or want to share your recruiting journey?

📧 Email: talksatthewatercooler@gmail.com 💼 Connect with us on LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review Talks at the Water Cooler on your favorite podcast platform