Making the Hiring Process More Efficient and Effective with HireReach’s Marlene Brostrom

Making the Hiring Process More Efficient and Effective with HireReach’s Marlene Brostrom

Author: Sean Boyce February 22, 2023 Duration: 28:27

In this episode, HireReach’s Project Manager Marlene Brostrom talks about the benefits of the skills-based hiring model, the ways employers make hiring decisions, and how to reduce bias in the hiring process.


Marlene Brostrom is a Project Manager at West Michigan Works! where she oversees, plans and directs various aspects of the HireReach program including program design.


Marlene is a Certified Business Solutions Professional with over 10 years of experience managing and delivering programs in workforce and community development.. Here are a few of the topics we’ll discuss on this episode of People Analytics:


  • How to make the hiring process more efficient and effective.
  • What a skills-based hiring model looks like.
  • What’s been causing changes in the labor market.
  • The ways employers make hiring decisions.
  • The importance of qualifications when getting hired.
  • How skills-based hiring helps reduce bias.
  • Interviewing techniques to avoid bad hires.
  • The partnership between HR and talent acquisition.
  • How to leverage your organizational culture.


Resources:


Connect with Marlene Brostrom:


Connect with the host:

Quotables:

  • 1:08 - “Skills-based hiring is a good quick high-level term to explain what it is but it’s essentially helping employees with the decision of selecting talent using skills as a way to assess and measure people and really help the organization understand what makes a good fit for their workforce, for their jobs.”
  • 07:50 - “Harvard Business Review shared that 60 percent of the US workforce does not have a 4-year degree, 76 percent of black workers do not have a degree, 83 percent of Latin Ex workers do not have a 4-year degree, and 81 percent of rural workers do not have a degree and that’s really important to say there’s all these people that have different backgrounds, different learning experience that may still have the skills needed to do the job but by employers not fully looking at their job description and keeping that college degree on there because that’s what they’ve done, you’re eliminating a huge pool of people.”
  • 13:05 - “People can get overwhelmed, I always use the analogy for weight loss I don’t know why it fascinates me but we all know there are certain things you need to do to lose weight, you’ve got to work out, you should track your food, drink water, sleep but sometimes that can feel overwhelming so even any baby steps you can take so we always say with the hiring process a couple of things is to go it doesn’t have to happen overnight continuous improvement is a journey maybe make some baby steps.”

Sean Boyce hosts People Analytics, a series that digs into the practical realities of using data to understand and improve how organizations work. This isn't about abstract theories; it's a grounded conversation for HR professionals, talent leaders, and managers who want to move beyond intuition and make decisions backed by evidence. Each episode explores how data intersects with the human elements of hiring, development, and team management, offering actionable strategies for those navigating this evolving discipline. You'll hear discussions on turning numbers into narratives, measuring what truly matters for employee experience, and building a culture where analytics supports people rather than just monitoring them. Tune into this podcast for candid insights that bridge the gap between spreadsheets and strategy, all focused on creating more effective and humane workplaces. Whether you're building a people analytics function from scratch or looking to refine an existing program, these conversations provide a valuable perspective on one of the most significant shifts in modern business management.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 97

People Analytics
Podcast Episodes
Creating a Positive Work Culture: Insights from an HR Director [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:27
In this episode, HR Director Deborah Dash discusses the importance of understanding companies as living organisms and shares her approach to creating a positive work culture. She highlights the significance of effective…
HR in a Small Town: Navigating Relationships and Finding Support [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:34
In this episode, Hanna Waugh, the Human Resources Director at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics, speaks about her journey in HR and the unique challenges she faces working in a small town. She emphasizes the importance of being a…
From the US Army to HR: A Unique Pathway into Human Resources [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:04
In this episode, Amy Charlesworth engages in an insightful conversation with Lindsay Patton covering diverse topics, including the exploration of unique pathways into HR, the successful transition from military to civili…
Revolutionizing HR: A Holistic Approach to Employee Happiness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:17
In this episode, Lindsay Patton interviews Michelle French, the HR Director at NASCENT Technology, about her unique approach to human resources. Michelle emphasizes the importance of prioritizing employee well-being and…
Shifting to Feedback-Driven Approach in Performance Management [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:47
In this episode, Lindsay Patton interviews Carolyn Moore, Chief People Officer at Influx Data, about her journey in HR and the importance of empathy in leadership. They discuss the negative impact of traditional performa…