Talent Makers

Expert Insights: Andres Traslavina

Andres is Senior Director, Global Executive Recruiting at Whole Foods Market. He describes his background:

I have some experience in being very customer-obsessed. Amazon and Whole Foods Market have that as one of their core leadership principles. I think there should not be a difference between treating your customers and your candidates with the same level of satisfaction. You should expect for them to feel the same experience as they go through a shopping experience or through a recruiting experience.

I did spend some time working at Disney. I learned that magic that you feel when you walk through the parks—that experience is contagious. If a company can lead with that, and it prompts candidates to rave about their experience, people will come to your company because of those sound bites.

How would you say your hiring approach stands out?

We look to interview fewer people but provide an amazing experience. So even if you don't get the job, you will tell seven or ten people over dinner, “Hey, I went to Whole Foods and this was my experience. I didn't even get the job but still, you should really apply.”

Our process has three components:

1. Can you do the job?
2. Would you love to do this? You said you could do it, but would you love to do this?
3. Can we work together?

Through each of those components we have ways of making that experience unique. For example, when I talk to someone about why Whole Foods Market, I ask, “Are you looking for a job, ...