Futureful revamps recruitment with values-focused approach

A revolutionary approach to recruitment is on its way, with the launch of new jobs platform Futureful, founded by Izzy Fenwick.

With a goal to completely transform the way organisations and prospective candidates connect, Futureful aims to move focus away from CVs and transactional recruitment processes, instead giving center-stage to shared values, passions, and the meeting of transparent needs and required skills.

"In traditional recruitment, an organisation and job candidate connect solely over a role and its salary, leading to a transaction that is concentrated entirely on the job at hand. But when the two connect over shared values, transparent needs and required skills instead, the relationship becomes much more meaningful. This often leads to increased retention, job satisfaction, productivity and engagement," founder Izzy Fenwick explained.

Futureful allows organisations to show the full extent of their value to potential employees, with emphasis on everything from eco-friendly credentials, LGBTQ-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements, to pet-friendly offices. Candidates are provided this information upfront, enabling them to assess if the company aligns with their values and requirements, instead of discovering it too late—during the interview or after a few months into the job.

"Traditional job ads were designed during the second Industrial Revolution, more than 100 years ago, and they haven't changed much since then. But the model has. The majority of our current workforce are Gen X down to Gen Z and are more deeply interested in forging meaningful connections, not just firing off a standard CV and cover letter and playing the waiting game," added Fenwick.

Futureful's novel approach is to employ talent pools in lieu of job ads. Candidates join their dream company's pool, granting the firm access to potential employees who are open to leaving their current job for the right opportunity within their preferred company. A recruitment process that doesn't require CVs or cover letters, but matches skills, attributes and values with the employers.

Izzy Fenwick, the daughter of the late environmentalist Sir Rob Fenwick, shared: "Our research shows that almost half of those aged 20-40 in employment in New Zealand have turned down a job because it doesn't align with their values. Only one in 10 surveyed said they didn't care about the values of the business they worked for. Which means organisations in New Zealand really need to up their game if they hope to attract our country's top talent."

Futureful has already attracted the attention of prominent firms such as Deloitte, Chapman Tripp, Silver Fern Farms and Zespri, all of which have signed on to recruit through the platform. Futureful is looking forward to seeing how their approach to recruitment will facilitate talented New Zealanders to encourage businesses to prioritise both people and the planet.

"Futureful is the future. It takes the guesswork out – you're never going to turn up to a job interview only to find that the company doesn't pay what you want, share your environmental, social or inclusivity values, or prioritise employee wellbeing," concluded Izzy.