Microsoft uncovers hidden talent ecosystems.

A man and a woman converse looking over a desktop computer while another man looks on.

SUCCESS STORY

Microsoft was planning to hire cybersecurity professionals to work at its headquarters location but wasn’t able to find quality talent in the area. Using LinkedIn Talent Insights, Research Program Manager of Talent Intelligence Nick Brooks discovered a pool of talent near another Microsoft office and recommended the company place headcount there instead, saving on relocation and compensation costs.

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THE CHALLENGE

Finding talent where it's needed

Brooks was tasked with recruiting a number of new cybersecurity professionals to work at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Facing a limited pool of candidates in Redmond, Brooks had a hunch there might be untapped potential in other cities.

THE SOLUTION

Allocating headcount where candidates live

Turning to LinkedIn Talent Insights to support his instinct, Brooks discovered a rich talent pool in a city already home to a Microsoft office. This valuable data helped the team support their recommendation to place headcount in that city, rather than in Redmond. This new hiring strategy was approved by leadership and Microsoft is now actively hiring and expanding the team without incurring relocation and additional compensation costs.

Main product used:

LinkedIn Talent Insights

THE RESULTS

Shifted hiring strategy

Using Talent Insights talent supply and demand data, Microsoft picked an unexpected but talent-rich office location for its cybersecurity headcount.

Saved on time and cost

Microsoft was able to hire where the best talent resides and save on relocation and compensation costs. Additionally, Talent Insights helped Nick's team save time identifying desired talent pools, which was previously a time-consuming manual process.

Built credibility with leadership

By being able to justify their recommendations to management, the team has built credibility, commanded more respect, and become a more trusted advisor.

“Imagine being able to go to the business and actually provide rational justification: ‘Here’s what I recommend, and here’s why.’ Credibility is not to be underestimated.”

Nick Brooks

Research Program Manager, Talent Intelligence, Microsoft

ABOUT MICROSOFT

Microsoft does business in 170 countries and is made up of 114,000 passionate employees dedicated to fulfilling the company's mission of helping global organizations achieve more.

INDUSTRY

Computer Software

NO. OF EMPLOYEES

10,000+

HEADQUARTERS

Redmond, WA

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