Talent Acquisition Week 2025 - What we learned

From February 3-6, TA Week brought together top experts in hiring. They explored the future of recruiting, candidate experience, and employer branding.

One of the standout speakers was Bryan Adams, CEO & Founder of Happydance. He gave an engaging keynote and led an interactive workshop that challenged industry norms. He encouraged attendees to rethink how they hire. Here’s what we learned from Bryan’s sessions—and why his ideas are shaping the future of hiring.

How can companies attract and keep top talent?

Bryan’s keynote questioned the old way of hiring as a basic process. Instead, he highlighted that the best companies focus on experience—for both candidates and hiring teams.

Top takeaways:

• Candidate experience gives you an edge. Companies with simple, engaging, and easy application processes attract talent faster. Outdated hiring methods slow companies down.
• Employer brand is more than a logo. It’s built on trust, transparency, and connection. Bryan urged companies to tell real stories that reflect their culture and values.
• Use AI wisely. AI can simplify hiring, but it should support—not replace—human interaction. The best hiring teams balance efficiency and empathy.
• Data is your advantage. Companies that track candidate behavior and engagement will make better hiring decisions and stay ahead.

How to create a candidate experience that works

Bryan’s workshop gave practical strategies to improve the hiring process and remove obstacles.

• Fix friction points. Attendees mapped out their hiring process. They spotted issues like long applications, unclear communication, and lack of transparency—all reasons candidates drop out.
• Personalization matters. Bryan showed how companies can use technology to create personalized candidate journeys—without losing the human touch.
• Measure the right things. Many companies focus on time-to-fill. But Bryan encouraged tracking candidate sentiment, engagement, and offer acceptance rates instead.
• Follow-through is key. A strong employer brand isn’t just about attracting talent—it’s about delivering a great hiring experience. Bryan shared examples of companies that turned new hires into long-term brand advocates.

“Don’t be afraid to step away from polished, corporate messaging. Instead, share real stories about your company. Make people feel what it’s like to work there.”

What’s next?

Bryan’s sessions confirmed one thing: the future of hiring belongs to companies that prioritize real, human-centered experiences.

• Use data wisely.
• Improve employer branding.
• Remove roadblocks in the hiring process.

The message is clear—people-first hiring wins, every time.

As we move forward in 2025, TA leaders must put these insights into action. Every candidate interaction should be more than just a step in the hiring process. It should be an experience that moves people.

Want to improve your hiring process? Connect with us at Happydance to create a better candidate experience—from first click to first day.