Sophie O'Brien is the founder of Pollen, a recruitment platform that is reshaping how young people access meaningful employment by eliminating traditional CVs and focusing on potential. With a background in media and advertising, Sophie has navigated her own challenges within conventional education and employment systems, which fuels her commitment to democratising career opportunities for Gen Z and beyond.
Her work centres on innovative hiring practices, diversity in the workplace, and empowering the next generation. Sophie addresses the persistent difficulties startups and SMEs face in attracting the right talent, particularly in a landscape where hiring experienced candidates can be costly and reactive hiring cycles are common. By adopting a values, behaviours, and skills-based approach, she helps leaders identify candidates who align with their business ethos rather than merely their experience.
Sophie taps into a community of over 5,000 motivated and diverse job seekers, enabling businesses to reach hidden talent beyond their usual networks. Her decade-long experience in hiring within small companies has equipped her with the insights needed to bridge the gap between young job seekers and employers.
In addition to her entrepreneurial efforts, Sophie speaks at business festivals and SME events, sharing her expertise on engaging the Gen Z workforce. Her workshops focus on aligning work with purpose and understanding the values that drive Gen Z, emphasising the importance of meaningful work over financial incentives.
Sophie’s insights into the emerging Gen Z leadership crisis highlight the need for organisations to adapt their engagement strategies to meet the expectations of a new generation prioritising balance, purpose, and ethical practices. Her contributions have resonated with audiences, prompting them to rethink their hiring strategies and ensuring they are prepared for the future of work. Contact the PepTalk team today for fee information and a speaker availability check.
Sophie O’Brien explores how Gen Z is reshaping workplace culture, challenging outdated structures, and demanding greater alignment between values and career choices. She examines the implications for businesses, from rethinking incentives to fostering inclusive work environments. Attendees gain insights into adapting to these shifts and leveraging Gen Z’s priorities to build more sustainable and equitable organisations.
The job market remains stacked against young people, perpetuating a diversity crisis that limits business growth and innovation. Sophie O’Brien examines the systemic barriers that restrict access to employment and how businesses can rethink hiring to create fairer, more dynamic workplaces. She offers practical strategies to open up opportunities, improve retention, and cultivate talent beyond the usual networks.
Multigenerational teams are the future of work, but without understanding different expectations and communication styles, businesses risk disengagement and high turnover. Sophie O’Brien shares strategies to foster collaboration between generations, improving team motivation and workplace culture. By addressing generational differences and highlighting shared goals, she equips organisations with the tools to build more cohesive and productive teams.
The CV is no longer a reliable measure of potential, yet many businesses still rely on it as the main hiring filter. Sophie O’Brien examines why this outdated approach fails both companies and candidates, offering alternative strategies to assess talent more effectively. She provides a framework for values-based hiring, helping organisations make smarter recruitment decisions that align with long-term success.
AI promises recruitment efficiency, but when used poorly, it often creates barriers, reduces diversity, and harms employer branding. Sophie O’Brien breaks down the common pitfalls of AI-driven hiring and how businesses can integrate technology without losing the human element. She provides insights into balancing automation with a personalised approach to improve hiring outcomes and candidate experience.
Looking for a workshop that perfectly fits your company's unique goals and values? PepTalk can create fully customised expert-led workshops tailored to your objectives, company culture, and strategic ambitions with the expert of your choice. Whether you need to foster innovation, strengthen leadership, or enhance teamwork, these bespoke programs are crafted to deliver impactful results.
