🏆 Talent Spotlight — Rashmi Kewalramani (No. 6 — 2026)

Welcome back to Talent Spotlight — where every month, we shine a light on standout talent professionals and the real stories shaping our industry.

Hey Rashmi, tell us a bit about yourself. Who are you, where are you, and what keeps you busy these days?

I am Rashmi, originally from India and now based in Berlin, where I'm pursuing my Global MBA while looking for my next opportunity in Talent Acquisition. After more than 10 years recruiting across international markets, I'm still fascinated by what makes people choose one opportunity, stay in another, and thrive in both.

Lately, I've been especially passionate about the evolution of AI, human decision-making, and community building — and you'll usually find me at Talent Crunch, HR events, or writing/listening/learning about the future of hiring.

Your Story

A big-lesson moment:

Moving to Germany unexpectedly taught me what it feels like to be the candidate instead of the recruiter. After years of helping others navigate hiring processes, I suddenly found myself doing the same.

That shift made me a more empathetic recruiter and reminded me that behind every CV is a person trying their best to build a future.

Something from a completely different field that helped your talent work:

Attending networking events, conferences and volunteering within professional communities taught me that some of the most meaningful opportunities don't begin with a CV. They begin with conversations. Showing up consistently, helping others, and staying genuinely curious has introduced me to people and ideas that no job board ever could.

Talent Talk

The most unconventional or creative thing you've tried in recruiting that actually worked:

Instead of jumping straight into skills, I often asked candidates what motivated them to make a change at that exact moment in their career. Understanding the "why now?" often predicted long-term success far better than simply confirming: can they do the job?

A sourcing, interviewing, or productivity hack that makes your day smoother:

I keep a "human notes" section alongside my recruitment notes. I jot down what genuinely matters to candidates and hiring managers, whether it's a career goal, family priority, or motivation for change. Those details make follow-ups feel like conversations rather than transactions.

One belief about talent acquisition you've completely changed your mind about:

I used to think the best recruiter was the one who filled roles the fastest.

Today, I believe the best recruiters create trust. A role gets filled once, but trust builds relationships that last throughout an entire career.

Community Connection

Someone in your network who inspires you:

Rudi Bauer inspires me because of how grounded he remains despite everything he has achieved. He combines deep expertise with genuine curiosity, and every interaction reminds me that great leadership doesn't need to be loud to make an impact.

One question you'd love to ask other talent professionals in our community:

Beyond networking and applying for jobs, what's the most "street-smart" thing an international TA professional can do to build a long-term career in a new country?

🔗 Connect with Rashmi on LinkedIn.