In this latest instalment of Meet The Manager, Uliana Soroka, talent acquisition team lead at Pin-Up Global, talks to us about the company's hiring strategy, the key skills needed to work in recruitment and the benefits of joining the company.
What was your route into affiliate recruitment at Pin-Up Global?
I've been in recruitment since my first year at university. My first experience was as a recruiter at a startup founded by my professor. The journey was challenging, but it brought me to my next role at a Swedish marketing agency, where I started as a team lead. I managed a team of five talent acquisition specialists and four recruitment resourcing, recruiting media buyers and affiliates across different niches. That’s where I first got hands-on experience in affiliate marketing. Now I’m at Pin-Up Global, where I feel real professional growth, get to bring my ideas to life, and genuinely love what I do.
How does Pin-Up adapt its recruitment strategy for affiliate roles?
The affiliate industry moves fast, so recruitment here isn’t like anywhere else. We take a different approach:
- Searching for candidates through social media and industry events
- Grabbing their attention from the first message
- Keeping it short and straight to the point
- Finding ways to expand the talent pool
When you love what you do, every part of it brings joy
At the same time, we stick to high recruitment standards and follow all the core principles of Pin-Up.
Which aspects of your job make you want to jump out of bed in the morning, and which make you want to hit the snooze button?
When you love what you do, every part of it brings joy. Honestly, I can’t think of anything I truly dislike. Sure, there are small challenges in a recruiter’s life, like when a candidate suddenly stops responding, but everything else including meeting people in person at conferences is what makes this job truly fulfilling.
What do you think are the most important skills and qualities for a talent acquisition team lead to be successful?
The most important ones are:
- Knowledge of the labour market
- Strategic thinking
- Employer branding development
- Strong communication skills
- Budget management
As a team lead and manager, you need to be more than just a great recruiter. You have to be a strategist, a blogger, a financial planner, and a coach. Many skills can be developed through practice, but without well-developed soft skills and a deep understanding of people and emotions, it’s hard to succeed.
Wellbeing has become a key focus across the industry, how does your company support it?
In today's business environment, employee wellbeing is a key driver of company efficiency. At Pin-Up, we foster an environment where employees can grow both professionally and personally.
Skills can be developed through practice, but without well-developed soft skills and a deep understanding of people and emotions, it’s hard to succeed
We primarily focus on learning and career progression, with nearly 90% of our training developed in-house to meet our employees' needs. Our L&D department offers professional development courses and soft skills training. Additionally, we have launched the Knowledge Sharing Space on our corporate platform, Pin-Up Team, which includes a library, an event calendar, and professional communities.
Which book has had the greatest impact on you, shaping your perspective or influencing your journey?
The book that has had the biggest impact on me is The Defining Decade by Meg Jay. It has really shaped my perspective on how crucial our twenties are in laying the foundation for our future. This book helped me to rethink my approach to career, relationships and personal growth, and to be more intentional about the choices I make.
What makes Pin-Up’s recruitment strategy unique? From benefits and approach to remote work, how does the company stand out?
As Pin-Up grows, so do our specialists. There are always opportunities to explore new roles within the company. Many of our senior team members started in junior positions and built their careers here.
We create an open environment where anyone, no matter their position, can ask for help or advice from juniors to leads. This helps avoid misunderstandings and keeps roles and responsibilities clear.
Our competitive salaries, benefits package, relocation opportunities, ability to work with various regions, and chances to travel for business make us an attractive employer.
What are your hobbies? How do you love to spend your free time when you're not working?
When I'm not working, I enjoy playing squash and painting. Squash keeps me active and energetic, while painting allows me to relax and express my creativity. It's a great way to balance both exercise and mindfulness!
We create an open environment where anyone, no matter their position, can ask for help or advice from juniors to leads
What’s one song that always gets you on your feet?
There are so many, but one of my ultimate favourites is "APT" by Bruno Mars.
If you had two weeks off and could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I have a long travel bucket list! If I could go anywhere, it would be Japan or Socotra (Yemen).
Where do you work? Show us your workspace!
