Hi, I’m
SOMA SHEKAR
Talent Acquisition Manager
Bengaluru
Summary
Dynamic Talent Acquisition Manager with over 12 years of experience in recruitment and talent sourcing, specializing in data-driven hiring and candidate assessment. Proven track record of closing over 60 technical positions within six months at HealthEdge, resulting in a 60% increase in headcount while reducing recruitment costs by 25% through the implementation of AI-driven hiring solutions. Committed to leveraging strategic hiring expertise and a data-led approach to drive organizational growth and foster talent excellence. Passionate about creating innovative recruitment strategies that align with business objectives and enhance overall workforce quality.
Overview
13
years of professional experience
5
Languages
Work History
HealthEdge
Talent Acquisition Manager
06.2021 - Current
Job overview
- Managed hiring initiatives, successfully closing 60+ technical positions in India within 6 months, aligning recruitment strategies with business goals across sourcing, employer branding, and talent pipeline development.
- Oversaw the full-cycle recruitment process, including Predictive Index assessments, coding rounds, and multiple interview stages.
- Led virtual hiring drives, managed job postings, employee referral programs, and agency partnerships to attract top talent.
- Ensured a smooth and efficient hiring process to meet aggressive team growth targets.
- Led a team of 5 recruiters, providing them with the right tools, insights, and strategies to succeed.
- Partnered with hiring managers, engineering leaders, and HR to refine hiring requirements and ensure alignment.
- Utilized talent analytics and reporting to track hiring effectiveness and optimize recruitment strategies.
- Collaborated with department heads to develop role-specific assessment tools, improving candidate selection accuracy.
- Designed and executed a DE&I-focused outreach campaign, increasing workforce diversity by 35% within one year.
- Conducted interview training workshops for hiring managers, enhancing interview quality and decision-making.
- Reduced recruitment costs by 25% through the implementation of AI-driven hiring processes.
- Improved candidate retention by 30% through targeted onboarding and engagement programs.
- Increased hiring efficiency by 40% by automating interview scheduling and coordination.
- Achieved a 95% offer acceptance rate by redefining cultural messaging and creating personalized offer strategies.
Softek
Team Lead
09.2019 - 06.2021
Job overview
- Experienced in handling leadership and senior lateral hiring across diverse industries and domains.
- Developed and implemented HR and recruitment strategies aligned with overall business objectives.
- Strong technical and business acumen with deep understanding of technical requirements, exceptional sourcing abilities, and proven expertise in assessing passive candidates.
- Comprehensive knowledge of end-to-end recruiting processes including sourcing, interviewing, reference checks, salary negotiations, and offer closures.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently, a proactive team leader with a strong reputation for excellence in the recruitment industry.
- Introduced innovative hiring practices leveraging digital and social recruiting platforms.
- Defined and tracked key performance metrics for in-house recruiting teams and external hiring partners to ensure accountability and performance.
- Mapped, sourced, and hired top talent across all levels, achieving a 90% success rate with the shortest time-to-hire metrics.
- Established a robust campus hiring and internship program across premier engineering institutes and B-schools.
- Expanded candidate engagement by 200% by effectively using LinkedIn and other social platforms to enhance reach and brand visibility.
Affine analytics
HR Specialist
09.2018 - 09.2019
Job overview
- Optimized the applicant tracking system, improving recruiter productivity and candidate tracking efficiency by 30%.
- Successfully sourced and filled 15+ critical roles across engineering and creative domains, consistently meeting quarterly hiring goals.
- Partnered with cross-functional teams to align on hiring needs, reducing mis-hire rates by 20%.
- Launched an employee referral program that contributed to 25% of total successful hires within a year.
Alten Calsoft Labs
Sr. HR Recruiter
06.2017 - 06.2018
Job overview
- Developed a robust talent pipeline by proactively sourcing candidates through various channels, including social media, job boards, and referrals.
- Mentored junior recruiters, providing guidance on best practices and sharing expertise to foster a collaborative team environment.
- Implemented metrics-driven performance evaluations of internal HR recruiting team members to promote professional growth and development within the department.
- Evaluated external recruitment agencies'' performance regularly to ensure quality partnerships aligned with company objectives.
Arrow Electronics ( Contractor Through Manpower)
HR Executive Assistant
12.2015 - 02.2017
Job overview
- Negotiated favorable contracts with external vendors, reducing overall HR-related costs for the organization.
- Managed full-cycle recruitment process, attracting top talent for key positions within the company.
- Streamlined HR processes for improved efficiency and productivity within the department.
- Delivered friendly assistance with new hires throughout interviewing and hiring process.
- Enhanced employee engagement by implementing innovative HR initiatives and programs.
Alp Consultants (Deployed at Wipro and Bell Softech Pvt Ltd)
Associate - Talent Acquisition
04.2013 - 12.2015
Job overview
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
Education
Indian Institute of Management, KozhikodeKozhikode, India
Specialised Course from HR Analytics, Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
04.2001
Acharya InstitutesBengaluru, IND
MBA from Human Resources Management
04.2001
Bangalore UniversityBengaluru, IND
BBM from Human Resources
04.2001
Skills
Recruitment
Talent management
Applicant tracking systems
Data-driven decision making
Teamwork and collaboration
Problem-solving aptitude
Leadership development
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- Hiring Processes Innovation
- Achieved a 60% headcount increase within 2 years, supporting strategic development initiatives.
- Candidate Sourcing Efficiency
- Streamlined candidate sourcing, boosting hiring efficiency by 40% through automation tools.
- Diversity Hiring Success
- Implemented DE&I strategies, increasing diversity of new hires by 35% within the first year.
COURSES
- Working backwards approach & Aligning Team & organizational goals as a business leader
- Certified Social Media Recruiter
- Advanced techniques in attracting talent via social platforms, provided by the Recruitment Training Institute.
Timeline
Talent Acquisition Manager
HealthEdge
06.2021 - Current
Team Lead
Softek
09.2019 - 06.2021
HR Specialist
Affine analytics
09.2018 - 09.2019
Sr. HR Recruiter
Alten Calsoft Labs
06.2017 - 06.2018
HR Executive Assistant
Arrow Electronics ( Contractor Through Manpower)
12.2015 - 02.2017
Associate - Talent Acquisition
Alp Consultants (Deployed at Wipro and Bell Softech Pvt Ltd)
04.2013 - 12.2015
Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode
Specialised Course from HR Analytics, Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
04.2001
Acharya Institutes
MBA from Human Resources Management
04.2001
Bangalore University
BBM from Human Resources
04.2001