Chantal Cooper: What makes the TIARA Talent Acquisition Awards unique compared to other industry awards? 

Kris Clelland: The TIARAs are different because we are 100% independent, transparent, and fair. Unlike some awards where winners seem to be determined by sponsorship levels, our judging process is completely impartial. We have a hand-picked panel of industry experts, senior TA and HR leaders, and talent strategists who assess each entry on its own merits, not on how much a company has paid to be involved, or who they are a client of. 

This integrity has made the TIARAs the benchmark for excellence in talent acquisition, staffing, and people tech globally. After 15+ years of success worldwide, including 6 years of the Staffing & Recruitment TIARA Awards in Australia, it’s time to bring this celebration to in-house talent teams. 

CC: Why should talent acquisition teams and employers enter the TIARA Awards? 

KC: The TIARAs aren’t just about winning, they’re about recognition, credibility, and impact. Talent Acquisition is at the heart of every successful organisation, and these awards give TA teams the opportunity to once again prove that we are the engine room behind organisational growth. The awards give companies and teams the chance to showcase their strategies, innovations and successes to the industry. It’s a great opportunity to motivate and celebrate your teams after a successful year, as well as to benchmark your organisation against the best of the best.  

Entering the TIARA Awards also offers recognition from senior industry leaders and key stakeholders, helping to elevate your employer brand and stand out in a competitive market. The awards highlight leadership in DE&I, employer branding, candidate experience, as well as demonstrate how AI, analytics, and automation can be leveraged in talent strategies. And more, entering allows you to showcase your resilience and agility in navigating hiring challenges while strengthening TA’s role in business growth, workforce planning, and retention.  

CC: How do the awards celebrate excellence and innovation in talent acquisition? 

KC: We’re not just recognising who hires the most people or who has the most employees in their respective company, we celebrate the best of the best in several key areas. Innovation, for example, covers everything from AI-driven sourcing to automated employer branding campaigns. Candidate experience is another vital category, where we look at organisations that put people first throughout their hiring strategies, from the very first touchpoint, all the way through the individuals career. 

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, (DE&I) is another area we focus on, recognising employers who are taking real action to make workplaces a fairer and more inclusive space. Employer branding is celebrated through organisations that create authentic, compelling talent attraction strategies and engage candidly with all talent. Strategic impact is key too – as we assess how TA teams contribute to business success, not just filling roles and growing headcount, but working towards business goals and objectives collaboratively. 

With categories covering everything from early careers hiring to leadership in TA and beyond, the TIARAs provide a true reflection of the people transformation and change management needed to succeed. 

CC: In today’s evolving talent market, how can being a TIARA finalist or winner help organisations stand out? 

KC: In a competitive hiring arena, candidates, clients, and stakeholders are paying attention to who is leading the way in talent, including talent acquisition, talent management, talent development, learning and development and talent marketing. I truly believe that being a TIARA finalist or winner, is more than a trophy or accolade, it’s a stamp of excellence that sets teams, individuals and organisations apart. Like the greatest talent strategies and roadmaps, winning a TIARA Award isn’t just about celebrating past achievements, it’s about positioning for the future, including: 

• Attracting top talent – Showcasing a best-in-class hiring experience, strategies and delivery models. 

• Gaining internal recognition – Elevating the profile of TA within the business, gaining the seat at the table that Talent has always deserved. 

• Strengthening partnerships – Standing out to vendors, suppliers & internal stakeholders as a true engine for growth across all departments. 

• Employer branding – Public recognition, both from your own teams, and the TALiNT Partners and TIARA teams, that boosts your company reputation. 

CC: What advice would you give to companies to make their submissions stand out? 

KC: From my years of judging across various industry bodies, the best advice I can give is to tell a story. The best entries bring achievements to life with real examples, emotions, supported by real data. Show impact – how did your initiative change the game for your organisation, industry, employees, or candidates? Use data to back up your claims. Numbers, metrics, and outcomes to help bring credibility, and make the narrative compelling.  

Involve your team in the story. Showcase the people behind the success and demonstrate the power of collaboration. Keep it clear and compelling – avoiding unnecessary jargon, filler words, and cliche copy. Judges want to care about your story, so focus on making it memorable and impactful. 

CC: Are the TIARA Awards just for large organisations, or can smaller talent acquisition teams also compete? 

KC: Absolutely not! The TIARAs are for teams of all sizes. Some of the most innovative and impactful talent strategies come from smaller, agile TA teams that are doing more with way less than some of the larger players – this doesn’t mean that the larger teams are not great as I’ve seen, and been very lucky to be involved some amazing Talent teams, building national, regional and global growth with as little as 4 members, to over 2000 members in Talent. 

We have categories that recognise businesses of different sizes, ensuring that whether you’re a global enterprise or a growing scale-up, there’s a place for you to shine. 

CC: How can being recognised by the TIARA Awards help businesses attract and retain top talent? 

KC: Employer & Talent branding is everything in today’s market. Talent want to work for businesses that invest in their people and create exceptional, and personal hiring experiences. Being recognised by the TIARAs shows that your organisation is a leader in hiring excellence, committed to innovation and continuous improvement, and a great place to work with a strong culture and vision. 

In a world where talent has more choices than ever, a TIARA win is a competitive advantage – I’ll let you decide how small or large that advantage is! 

CC: What are some of the most exciting trends in talent acquisition that you expect to see reflected in this year’s entries? 

KC: 2025 is shaping up to be a game-changer for talent acquisition. Some of the biggest trends I expect to see include: 

• AI & Automation – How teams are educating themselves on advanced AI and balancing technology with the human touch 

• Skills-Based Hiring – Multi-directional career progression, moving beyond traditional CVs and job titles 

• Employer Brand Storytelling – Authentic, compelling attraction strategies 

• Diversity & Inclusion – Real action over buzzwords 

• Workforce Planning & Demand Levels – aligning hiring strategies with business needs. 

• Evolution of EVP & CVP – Shifting from traditional EB to more dynamic, personalised value propositions for candidates and employees. 

• Convergence of TA & Talent Management – seamless internal mobility, skills development, and long-term workforce strategy. 

• Impact of New Legislation & Legal Changes – navigating compliance, ethical hiring, and evolving workplace regulations. 

• Talent Communities & Internal Mobility – Future-proofing workforce planning 

It’s an exciting time to be in Talent, and I can’t wait to see the entries! 

CC: For companies still considering entering, what would you say to encourage them to take the leap? 

KC: Cheesy comment time… This is your time to shine! 

Your teams have worked incredibly hard to build best-in-class talent strategies, candidate experiences, and hiring initiatives. The TIARA Talent Acquisition Awards ANZ provide the perfect opportunity to showcase that success. Entering the awards allows organisations to gain the recognition they deserve, putting their achievements on display at a national, regional, and global level. It’s also a change to boost employer branding, reinforcing a company’s reputation as a leader in hiring excellence and innovation.  

Beyond external recognition, participating in the TIARAs is a powerful way to celebrate success and inspire teams for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Being a finalist or winner helps businesses stand out in the market, attracting top talent and strengthening their position as an employer of choice.  

For those considering entering, now is the time to take the leap – explore this year’s categories and start your submission today! 

I can’t wait to see the innovation and storytelling throughout our amazing ANZ Talent Communities and also cannot wait to celebrate with you all at the gala dinner on Thursday 29th May at the Riz-Carlton in Melbourne.