Episode 108: From CVs to Gamified Assessments: The Future of Retail Hiring with Giorgio Benassi

Episode notes

What does it really take to recruit and keep great talent in the fast-moving world of retail? In this episode of Recruiting is No Joke , host Joel Lalgee sits down with Giorgio Benassi, Global TA Director at Sephora, to dig into the unique challenges of high-volume hiring. We’re talking more than 30,000 hires a year at Sephora, plus Giorgio’s past experience at H&M, so he knows a thing or two about balancing speed with a top-notch candidate experience. Giorgio shares how Sephora is using AI and even gamified assessments (instead of the traditional CV screen) to spot personality traits that align with the brand’s values. He’s big on transparency too, making sure candidates know both the perks and the pressures of retail roles right from the start, a key move to cut down on turnover. The conversation also dives into how the recruiter’s role is changing, moving away from being just gatekeepers and leaning more into building real relationships. Giorgio points out that authenticity matters more than ever in candidate interactions. And for those looking to break into recruiting, he’s clear: professionalism and constant learning are non-negotiables.