The importance of hiring the right talent cannot be overstated in today’s rapidly changing job market. Companies across industries and sectors are constantly on the lookout for top talent to join their teams, while job seekers are evolving their skillset to meet the demands of this dynamic landscape.
One platform that has emerged as a leader in facilitating connections between professionals and helping talents across industries develop their skills is LinkedIn, with its vast network of professionals and extensive resources for both job seekers and employers. Through its invaluable learning solutions, innovative search and staffing tools, LinkedIn has helped millions of people find new opportunities and advance their careers.
At the helm of LinkedIn’s search and staffing efforts is a highly skilled and experienced leader—Susana Correia—passionate about connecting people with the right opportunities. With a background in staffing and recruitment and working across different countries in Europe and the Middle East, Susana brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table.
We at CIOLook interviewed Susana on her leading role at LinkedIn.
Let’s dive into the intercepts of the interview!
Brief our audience about your journey as a business leader until your current position in your company. What challenges have you had to overcome to reach where you are today?
My journey as a business leader began long before I joined LinkedIn as Head of Search & Staffing for the MENA region in 2017. Through various leadership positions and even running my own company, I gained extensive experience in management, working with diverse teams in different countries such as Portugal, the Netherlands, and the Middle East.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was proving my leadership capabilities in a highly competitive and constantly evolving business landscape. This required a relentless focus on achieving results, developing effective strategies, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders.
Additionally, I had to navigate various cultural, language and logistical differences in different regions, which demanded a high level of adaptability and crosscultural communication skills. Along the way, I also learned the importance of building diverse and inclusive teams, which helps bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to complex business problems.
Today, I’m proud to lead a multicultural and high-performing team at LinkedIn. Through my experiences, gaining valuable insights into the skills, attitudes, and behaviours that are essential for success as a business leader. I remain committed to furthering my personal and professional growth.
Enlighten us on how you have been impacting the industry through your expertise in the market.
I have been impacting the industry through my expertise in technology and leadership. At LinkedIn, we’re leading the way in driving innovation by utilizing technology such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics to enhance user experience. Our platform is designed to help members stay connected, informed, productive and successful while also allowing them to develop new skills to advance their careers.
I’m a firm believer in the potential of technology to drive positive change, and that by fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment, we can harness this potential to create a better future.
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives your organization.
LinkedIn’s values and work culture are driven by a commitment to its vision of “creating economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.”
At LinkedIn, we believe that transforming the world of work starts with our Culture & Values being the foundational center of operations. They set us apart, define who we are and shape who we aspire to be. A shared sense of belonging, the flexibility to prioritize what matters most, the space and support to dream BIG, and a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in almost every sector. How are you advancing towards technological innovations to make your solutions resourceful?
With the emergence of new technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), employers are now seeking talent that will help them stay competitive and fulfil their long-term strategies. At LinkedIn, not only are we committed to leveraging technology to enhance our solutions and create more economic opportunities for people around the world, but we are also focused on helping talent prepare for technological advancement taking place in today’s world of work.
We rely on technologies such as data analytics and artificial intelligence to improve our members’ experience and provide them with valuable insights and opportunities. Our goal is to stay ahead of the curve in terms of technological advancements by inspiring a culture of innovation and growth.
What, according to you, could be the next significant change in your sector? How is your company preparing to be a part of that change?
I believe that the next momentous change in technology for LinkedIn will be the continued growth and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). These technologies have the potential to transform the way professionals connect, search for jobs and develop their skills.
LinkedIn was founded with a sharp vision to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce. This year, we’ve started witnessing transformative advances in AI that have the potential to help us accelerate our progress toward that vision.
By leveraging the power of AI, we help our members connect, increase productivity and achieve success in their careers.
Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for your company?
Looking ahead, I envision myself continuing to lead and motivate my team toward accomplishing remarkable feats while continually learning and evolving myself. Being a woman in a male-dominated industry, I am devoted to smashing down obstacles and generating fresh opportunities for women in technology.
Additionally, I am deeply committed to promoting diverse and inclusive work environments. In some industries, people tend to hire those who resemble themselves in terms of gender, nationality, religion, background, or physical ability.
Having lived in various countries and having had the opportunity to hire my own teams, I have always prioritized skills over factors such as previous companies worked for or specific backgrounds or appearances. This approach has greatly contributed to the success of the teams I have managed over the years, as demonstrated not only by their results but also by the satisfaction of the employees, their team spirit, and innovative ideas.
LinkedIn has the power to create a significant positive impact in the world and our future objectives are centered around driving innovation and developing fresh solutions to assist our members in achieving success while also fostering a more diverse and inclusive culture that empowers all our employees.
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the dynamic industry?
My advice to budding entrepreneurs would be to stay focused on your vision and don’t be afraid to take risks. The tech industry moves fast, and you need to be able to pivot quickly and adapt to changing circumstances. At the same time, it’s important to build a multicultural team and surround yourself with people who share your passion and drive and can bring different perspectives to the table. Never be afraid to ask for help or seek advice from mentors and peers who have been through the same challenges that you’re facing.
And above all, never lose sight of why you started your venture in the first place and the impact that you hope to make in the world.
