Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 23, 2024
While the government departments and the media report on the continued exploitation of migrant workers, a new initiative in Auckland hopes to enhance the recruiting experience and more importantly, improve employer-employee relations to boost productivity and profitability for overall benefit.
The initiative, called, ‘The Forum of Indian Origin Professionals,’ has been established as a ‘Fireside Chat,’ by Leena Kalburgi, a Senior Project Administrator at an international company based in Auckland and her team of professionals including Jyoti Parashar, Ramya Negi, Rani Nalam and Vishal Patil.
Enlightened Networking
Ms Kalburgi described the first meeting of the Forum, held at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Eden Terrace on April 17, 2024, as ‘an evening of enlightenment and networking.’
“It served as a platform to glean invaluable insights into the realm of talent acquisition and recruitment strategies, courtesy of seasoned recruiters,” she said.
Puspa Lekinwala, who was elected as the first Woman President of the Auckland Indian Association in its 103 years of existence was a Guest of Honour. A third-generation New Zealander, she is a Director of Lekinwala Search Limited, a legal services firm, she spoke of the need for an initiative such as The Forum of Indian Origin Professionals and hoped that its deliberations and efforts would benefit employers and employees and improve their relationships for the betterment of all.
Among the guest speakers were Anup Mulay, Senior Talent Manager at RWA Technology People, which explores, develops and places IT talent and Siddesh Surve, Recruitment Consultant at the ERG Recruitment Group Limited, a recruitment firm that prides itself on pursuing the five philosophies of needs propounded by American Psychologist Abraham Maslow, namely Physiological, Safety, Belongingness and Love, Esteem and Self-Actualisation Needs.
Navigating amidst competition
According to Ms Kalburgi, the Fireside Chat was a useful exercise.
“Recruiters shared strategies for navigating today’s competitive job market. From crafting a compelling personal brand to leveraging networking opportunities, the attendees gained a deeper understanding of how to stand out amidst stiff competition. With the landscape of work constantly evolving, adaptability emerged as a cornerstone of career success,” she said.
She said that the recruitment consultants emphasised the importance of embracing change, upskilling continuously, and harnessing emerging technologies to remain relevant in a rapidly transforming job market.
“Networking took centre stage, underscoring its pivotal role in career advancement. Attendees were encouraged to cultivate meaningful professional relationships, recognizing them as invaluable assets in their professional journey, while panellists provided perspectives and insights” she said.
The Question and Answer session was interactive, she added.
Catalyst for career growth
“We were happy to witness a renewed sense of empowerment among the attendees, who also gained a wealth of actionable insights. The Fireside Chat was a catalyst for personal and professional growth, inspiring them to chart their career trajectories with confidence and purpose.
“The Fireside Chat with recruiters was an enriching experience, fostering knowledge-sharing and community-building. As we reflect on the wisdom imparted and the connections forged, we eagerly await future engagements to continue our collective journey towards career excellence and empowerment,” Ms Kalburgi said.
Please follow the events of the Group on LinkedIn.
