Building Bridges in Recruitment
Afif Kamal’s Path to Talent Alignment
The world of recruitment is as much about strategy as it is about connections, and Afif Kamal has mastered both. Starting his career in IT before venturing into business development, Afif found his calling in recruitment—a field where he discovered the power of aligning talent with opportunity.
In this post, Afif shares his journey, shedding light on the intricacies of recruitment, from tackling technical hiring challenges to navigating the delicate balance between client expectations and candidate aspirations. Whether you’re a founder seeking the right hires or a professional curious about industry trends, Afif’s expertise offers invaluable perspectives to sharpen your approach.
Interviewer: So, how did you get started in the recruitment industry?
Afif: Well, my journey began in IT, where I initially worked before transitioning into business development for a payment gateway company. It was during this time that I started focusing on recruitment. Initially, I worked in blue-collar hiring before moving into executive hiring. I discovered a niche market in IT recruitment and joined a company known for its expertise in urban employment placement.
Interviewer: Can you explain how the recruitment industry operates, particularly regarding different services?
Afif: Certainly. The recruitment industry offers various services, including permanent placement, business process outsourcing (BPO), and managed services. Permanent placement typically involves charging a percentage of the annual gross salary, ranging from 18% to 30%. In BPO, employees can be on the client's or recruitment agency's payroll, and we handle benefits like insurance. Managed services are where companies hire us to set up teams for specific periods, such as six months to a year.
Interviewer: What are some common challenges you face when recruiting for technical roles?
Afif: One major challenge is aligning the company's requirements with the candidates' skill sets. Often, companies may not fully understand the technical tools or platforms they need, leading to mismatches. We conduct discovery meetings to clarify these needs, but not all companies are willing to participate. Additionally, finding candidates with niche skills like .NET can be tough due to a limited talent pool.
Interviewer: How do you manage expectations between clients and candidates?
Afif: It's about setting clear expectations and communicating effectively with both parties. We try to persuade companies to be flexible, like offering hybrid working arrangements if needed. For candidates, we emphasize the potential opportunities and benefits of considering new roles while respecting their comfort levels.
Interviewer: What advice would you give to recruiters today?
Afif: Specialize in a particular industry to build expertise and connections over time. Also, remember that recruitment is a numbers game—engage with many candidates to increase your chances of success. For candidates, do your due diligence before accepting a job offer and leverage recruiters as a resource for insights into companies.
Interviewer: Thank you for sharing your insights!
Afif: You're welcome! I hope this helps.
Conclusion
Afif Kamal’s journey shows how expertise, adaptability, and genuine connection can shape a successful career in recruitment. His insights remind us of the importance of aligning expectations and staying curious in an ever-evolving industry.
Do you have a story about your career journey, entrepreneurial challenges, or lessons learned along the way? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out and share your story—it might inspire someone else’s next big step.