Talent Specialist

As a Talent Specialist at Kokua, you will be responsible for sourcing, interviewing, and hiring Guest Teachers to fill vacancies for our school partners. This involves managing recruitment channels, assessing candidates' suitability, and ensuring a positive hiring experience. Your ability to establish rapport and make hiring decisions will directly impact the educational experience of the students we serve.

To qualify for the Talent Specialist position at Kokua, candidates should ideally have K-12 classroom experience and at least 2 years of recruitment or related experience. Familiarity with Greenhouse is preferred, alongside strong communication skills and proficiency in Excel and Google Suite. A passion for education and an ability to build relationships are crucial for success in this role.

The Talent Specialist at Kokua plays an essential role in our mission by ensuring that schools have access to high-caliber Guest Teachers. Through effective recruitment and relationship management, you will directly contribute to creating a positive learning environment for students. Your work helps ensure that each classroom is supported by exceptional educators who can inspire and guide young minds.

The work environment at Kokua for a Talent Specialist is dynamic and collaborative. You will work remotely while engaging regularly with team members to align on hiring strategies and goals. We foster a positive, solutions-oriented culture that values communication, teamwork, and a shared commitment to making a difference in students' lives.

As a Talent Specialist at Kokua, your impact in the education sector is profound. By recruiting and onboarding passionate Guest Teachers, you facilitate meaningful connections between educators and students, which is essential for enhancing learning outcomes. Your efforts contribute to closing the gap created by teacher absences and ultimately help shape the next generation of learners.

When answering this question, highlight your passion for education and your commitment to making a difference in students' lives. Discuss specific aspects of Kokua's mission that resonate with you and how your background in recruitment aligns with the role.

Describe your approach to sourcing candidates, including the use of various channels such as online job boards, social media, networking events, and partnerships with educational institutions. Emphasize your creativity in finding and attracting high-quality talent.

Share a specific example that showcases your recruitment skills. Discuss the strategies you employed to find the candidate, how you assessed their fit for the role, and the positive impact they made on the organization.

Talk about your approach to communication and transparency during the recruitment process. Highlight the importance of providing timely feedback and keeping candidates informed, as well as how you make the experience engaging and welcoming.

Explain the key metrics you track, such as time-to-fill, quality of hire, and candidate satisfaction. Discuss how you analyze this data to refine your recruitment strategies and improve hiring outcomes.

Share your strategies for managing challenging conversations, emphasizing the importance of empathy, active listening, and professionalism. Provide an example of a past experience to illustrate your approach.

Identify key qualities such as strong communication skills, persistence, relationship-building ability, and a passion for education. Discuss how these traits help foster successful collaborations and enhance the hiring process at Kokua.

Discuss your commitment to professional development by attending industry conferences, participating in webinars, reading relevant articles, and engaging with other recruitment professionals. Explain how you implement insights gained into your recruitment strategies.

Highlight your experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams and developing strong working relationships. Discuss specific methods for aligning goals, sharing feedback, and ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding hiring needs.

Share your beliefs about the value of diversity in fostering an inclusive work environment. Explain how diverse teams contribute to better decision-making, creativity, and an understanding of the needs of the communities we serve at Kokua.