A Take a look at How One Oakland-Based mostly Recruiter is Shaping the Way forward for Hiring
Leon Chang isn’t your typical recruiter. He’s a strategist, an issue solver, and above all, a connector. Based mostly in Oakland, California, Leon has spent years mastering the artwork of recruitment, mixing expertise with a human-centered strategy. His profession spans main firms like Tesla, Robert Half Worldwide, and Zum Companies, the place he has led large-scale hiring efforts and refined the hiring course of.
Leon’s strategy is straightforward: recruitment is about greater than filling positions. It’s about understanding individuals. “A resume tells you what someone has done,” Leon says, “but a conversation tells you who they are.”
A Profession Constructed on Connection
Leon grew up in Oakland, a metropolis recognized for its variety and resilience. He took those self same qualities into his profession. After incomes a Bachelor’s diploma in Economics, a minor in Communication, and a Grasp’s diploma in Schooling from the College of California, Davis, he entered the world of recruiting.
His first main position was at Robert Half, the place he specialised in recruiting for administrative, finance, and accounting positions. He shortly made a reputation for himself, incomes international recognition as a high recruiter. He later labored at Tesla, the place he helped scale management hiring for manufacturing groups.
At Zum Companies, he confronted one among his largest challenges: launching 15+ faculty bus yards throughout a number of states. It required hiring over 1,500 drivers and 50+ employees members in a brief interval. “That was a turning point for me,” Leon displays. “I realized recruitment isn’t just about jobs—it’s about communities, economies, and real impact.”
Now, Leon is returning to Robert Half as a Finance and Accounting Recruiting Supervisor, the place he’ll give attention to connecting companies with high monetary expertise. His objective is to make hiring smoother, smarter, and extra human.
The Position of Know-how in Recruitment
Leon has seen the rise of AI, automation, and knowledge analytics in hiring. Whereas he embraces these instruments, he warns in opposition to over-relying on them. “Technology makes hiring faster, but it doesn’t make it better,” he explains. “At the end of the day, people hire people, not algorithms.”
He believes AI will be helpful in screening resumes, figuring out hiring developments, and automating repetitive duties. However in terms of discovering the precise match, nothing replaces direct interplay. “A candidate might not have every skill listed on paper, but if they have the right mindset and adaptability, they can thrive,” Leon says.
His philosophy is evident: use expertise to boost human connection, not change it.
The Way forward for Hiring
Leon sees a serious shift taking place in recruitment. Distant work, skills-based hiring, and a better give attention to variety, fairness, and inclusion are altering how firms strategy expertise acquisition.
“More companies are prioritizing cultural fit and adaptability over just hard skills,” Leon notes. “And that’s a good thing. A great team isn’t just about who has the most experience—it’s about who can work together to solve problems.”
He additionally encourages job seekers to embrace the altering panorama. “Candidates need to be proactive. Build your skills, network with intention, and stay open to opportunities. The job market is evolving, and the most adaptable people will thrive.”
Classes from Expertise
Through the years, Leon has realized a couple of key classes about success in recruiting and profession progress. One in all them? Comply with up. “I can’t tell you how many times a simple follow-up email has led to an opportunity,” he says. “Persistence pays off.”
One other lesson: take dangers. Early in his profession, Leon hesitated on some alternatives as a result of he didn’t really feel 100% prepared. Wanting again, he needs he had trusted himself extra. “You don’t need to know everything before you start,” he says. “You learn by doing.”
He additionally believes within the energy of relationships. “Your network is your career’s safety net. Build it before you need it.”
Balancing Work and Life
Recruiting is a fast-paced trade. The fixed have to fill roles, meet deadlines, and handle consumer expectations will be overwhelming. Leon has discovered that stepping away is crucial to staying targeted.
“When I feel burned out, I go snowboarding, lift weights, or just take a walk,” he says. “It resets my mind and helps me come back sharper.”
Household and journey are additionally large components of his life. “Spending time with loved ones reminds me why I do what I do. Work is important, but so is living.”
Closing Ideas
Leon Chang is shaping the way forward for recruitment—one rent, one dialog, and one connection at a time. His mix of technical data and human perception makes him a standout in his discipline.
As he steps into his new position at Robert Half, one factor stays the identical: his dedication to creating hiring a better, extra private course of. “The best recruiters don’t just fill jobs,” he says. “They change lives.”
