🤝 Humans are wired for connection — hiring should be too.
The human brain is wired to seek connection and belonging.
When those cues are present, we feel safe, open and ready to trust.
When they’re absent, our brain interprets the situation as a threat — flooding the body with stress hormones and priming us to protect ourselves rather than connect.
Connection is why we’re here. It’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives. — Brene Brown
Work is one of the places we find purpose and meaning.
For the modern employee, work is much more than a pay cheque — it’s about impact, community and connection.
The brain doesn’t distinguish between life and work — the circuits that create trust and belonging in our personal lives are the same ones that decide whether we connect and feel belonging with an employer.
Employment is a two-way relationship and the rules of engagement are the same as they are in any healthy relationship — respect, trust, good communication and empathy are the expectation.
Creating connection doesn't begin when someone starts a new job, it begins when you're hiring.
Every step of your hiring process is a signal.
Your hiring process can make the brain light up with trust — or flare with threat. A human, respectful approach says you belong here. A cold, transactional process tells the brain don’t trust this.
Recruitment is not a transaction. It’s relational. It's a decision that shapes people’s lives and the future of organisations.
Candidate experience really matters. This is my personal philosophy, and it's backed by science.
Social neuroscience research shows that social rejection activates the same regions of the brain as physical pain. In other words, a poor candidate experience doesn’t just feel bad — it literally registers as pain in the brain.
On the other hand, interactions that foster trust and belonging release oxytocin — the bonding hormone — which calms the nervous system and strengthens human connection.
Candidate experience isn’t a 'nice to have' — it’s a biological, psychological and strategic imperative.
Every vague job ad, unanswered application, unexplained delay and ghosting sends a message. Every moment of clarity, kindness, and respect does too.
The science is clear:
Connection regulates stress and improves decision-making.
Belonging increases motivation and discretionary effort.
Respect and fairness trigger positive brain chemistry that strengthens trust.
Humans are wired for connection, hiring should be too.
Not just because it’s the right thing to do — but because it’s how you win the hearts and minds of the people you want in your team.
Protect or connect? Let's choose connection.
Flexible talent support for NFP leaders
I am deeply committed to making recruitment easier for nonprofit leaders.
I support leaders and organisations to attract the right people through:
traditional recruitment solutions
flexible unbundled recruitment support
helping you review and improve your recruitment approach
helping you understand and articulate your real EVP through employee research
leveraging this research to develop authentic recruitment content
building campaigns that reflect culture and the employee experience
consulting and advisory work to develop talent attraction strategy and capacity.
If you’re curious to know more, send me a message or get in touch for a chat.
As a communications professional and writer turned recruiter, I know modern recruitment is marketing, and I'm on a mission to share this approach with the sector.
Each Friday, I share talent attraction advice and insights. The Nonprofit Talent Edge will help you become more intentional, creative and proactive with your recruitment.
Have a great week.
Cynthia