Face-to-Face Connections That Lead to Hires
Travel tech company Guestlogix shared their experience recruiting through WomenHack Toronto, highlighting the value of in-person connections in an increasingly digital recruiting landscape. Their testimonial offers concrete evidence that WomenHack events deliver real results for employers.
As Ksenia from their team explained on the Guestlogix blog:
“We love events like WomenHack and Travel TechTO because it gives us a chance to really get to know people in the tech industry, face-to-face.”
Real Results from Real Connections
The outcome speaks for itself: “WomenHack introduced them to a number of great applicants” for their delivery team positions. This isn’t a vague statement about networking value—it’s a concrete assertion that the event produced qualified candidates who applied for open roles.
In a tight talent market, companies constantly seek competitive advantages in recruiting. WomenHack provides access to a pool of motivated candidates who are actively exploring opportunities. Unlike passive candidates who might ignore LinkedIn messages, WomenHack attendees have demonstrated interest and initiative by registering for and attending the event.
Why Face-to-Face Matters
In an age of digital recruiting—applicant tracking systems, video interviews, automated screening—there’s still no substitute for meeting candidates in person. WomenHack’s format allows companies to assess not just skills but culture fit and communication style, qualities that are difficult to evaluate through resumes or even video calls.
The face-to-face format also benefits candidates. They can ask questions, observe company representatives interact with colleagues, and get a feel for whether they’d enjoy working with these people. This two-way evaluation leads to better hiring outcomes, as both parties enter the relationship with more realistic expectations.
Toronto’s Thriving Tech Ecosystem
Toronto has established itself as one of North America’s most important technology centers. The city benefits from strong universities, a diverse population, proximity to the U.S. market, and immigration policies that make it easier to attract global talent. Major tech companies have significant offices in Toronto, and the startup scene continues to grow.
This success creates intense competition for talent. Companies that can differentiate their recruiting—by offering something beyond standard job postings and recruiter outreach—gain advantages in attracting top candidates. WomenHack provides this differentiation while also advancing diversity goals.
The Travel Tech Perspective
Guestlogix operated in travel technology, a sector that was growing rapidly before the pandemic (and has since recovered). Travel tech requires building products that serve diverse travelers with varying needs and preferences. Teams that include diverse perspectives are better equipped to understand and serve this varied customer base.
The company’s mention of attending both WomenHack and Travel TechTO suggests a thoughtful approach to recruiting—participating in events that connect them with both diverse candidates and industry-specific talent.
The Speed Interview Advantage
WomenHack’s 5-minute speed interview format is particularly valuable for companies like Guestlogix that want to meet many candidates efficiently. The format allows for:
- Initial screening of many candidates in a single evening
- Assessment of communication skills and personality
- Opportunity to gauge mutual interest before investing in longer interviews
- Building a pipeline of candidates for current and future roles
The brief format also reduces the intimidation factor that can disadvantage some candidates in traditional interview settings. In five minutes, both parties can get a sense of fit without the pressure of a formal interview.
Building Long-Term Relationships
Not every candidate met at a WomenHack event will be hired immediately. But the connections made can become valuable over time. Candidates who aren’t quite ready, or who don’t match current openings, may become applicants later. Those who are hired often refer friends and former colleagues.
Guestlogix’s positive experience at WomenHack Toronto illustrates how these events fit into a broader recruiting strategy—one component of a multi-channel approach to finding and attracting the best talent.
Thank you, Guestlogix, for sharing your WomenHack success story. Testimonials like this help other companies understand the concrete value of diversity-focused recruiting events.