Alexander Popov: "Despite Hardships, the Demand for Top Talent Remains High"
Navigating the Talent Frontier Through Insights from Quadcode’s Recruitment Architect
With a decade of experience under his belt, Alexander Popov, the Head of Talent Acquisition at Quadcode, has become a mainstay in cultivating the workforce, demonstrating a commitment to not only fulfilling the immediate hiring needs but also to the broader strategic objectives of workforce optimization within Quadcode. Reflecting a natural progression from an academic grounding in Human Resource Management to the practical vigor of talent acquisition, his approach is deeply rooted in the sociology of work - and as he explains, the confluence of psychology and the art of headhunting have played a huge part in his career trajectory.
The conversation with Alexander unfolds as a thoughtful exploration of his role in a company that prides itself on a culture of care as much as it does on being a leader in FinTech innovation. He sheds light on Quadcode’s genuine approach to hiring and talent retention, which stands as a distinct entity in a competitive landscape. He touches upon the company's internal dynamics, the importance of direct communication, and the absence of additional structures to enhance team cohesion, reflecting a work environment that values organic interaction. Forecasting the talent trends in FinTech, Alexander anticipates a sustained demand for uniquely human skills amidst the rise of AI and automation. Our interview culminates with an insightful perspective on the intricate balance between embracing technological advancements and nurturing the irreplaceable human elements within the fintech industry, affirming the nuanced role of talent acquisition in shaping the workforce of tomorrow.
Headhunting and psychology are at the heart of Talent Acquisition. During my undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management, as I tried to figure out if the subject connected with me, a spark around the sociology of work was ignited. While attempting to understand the world and potentially shape it, leaving my footprint, psychology became the next step. Combined with my outgoing personality, confidence, and high energy, it led to an interest in headhunting. It only made sense to put everything in practice, resulting in nearly 10 years in Talent Acquisition.
Quadcode has made it part of its DNA to simply care on top of being the best
Empowering, often intellectually stimulating. Being a business positioned in FinTech, recognized for its innovations, trading experience, and the best all-in-one solution, Quadcode has made it part of its DNA to simply care on top of being the best. Even before joining the company, that was the first thing I felt. The set-up for success mindset, the learning and development opportunities, and the organization's desire to become even better by providing the space for its Team Members to share their thoughts and build upon them, are some of the small things that just make me feel that I belong here.
By being itself - genuine. We have a good combination of successful products and a true top-down comprehension of the biggest assets being the Talent of Quadcode.
Outside of the traditional communication tools that ensure we are all connected, there is nothing additional introduced to enhance collaboration and cohesion across the organization. However, what anyone who is part of Quadcode can notice is the “let's be more successful” approach. Having this mindset in any meeting removes job titles, pay levels, and any other barriers that may hinder a future solution. The “pick up the phone and talk” method is quite common, abolishing any misconceptions text messages create, and providing much better results, including saving time and maintaining good relationships.
It is no secret that there are challenges in the talent market. Although we have witnessed hardship among many companies, the demand for top talent remains high. As there will not be a market equilibrium anytime soon, skilled and experienced candidates have a wide range of options to choose from, unlike less seasoned specialists. The latter are those struggling to find a place to start their professional journeys. Knowing the value that a junior talent brings to the team, we have seen the creation of in-house academies where job-specific skills are trained, real-life experience is gained, and in many cases, a permanent job offer is secured in 3 to 6 months.
I foresee an even bigger demand for the right human touch, a creative and unique approach tailoring the experience for the various stakeholder groups
The future of work within the fintech industry will most certainly involve more AI. This means more automations, standardizations, and a complete elimination of biases, the gender pay gap, and any other inequalities. That being said, I foresee an even bigger demand for the right human touch, a creative and unique approach tailoring the experience for the various stakeholder groups. Ultimately, the aim will remain a far more detail-oriented, data-driven approach, delivering frictionless processes for everyone involved.
