Career Journeys in Talent Acquisition: Nino Kurtanidze

Thanks for reading! This series is designed to shine a spotlight on Talent Acquisition professionals and highlight their career journeys and learnings so far. Today, we're joined by Nino Kurtanidze. If you'd like to be next, please reach out to a TTC Community Manager.

Introduce yourself in one sentence:

Nino Kurtanidze is a Senior Tech & Business Recruiter from Batumi, Georgia — PHRi certified, with deep hands-on experience in sourcing and hiring, and a genuine passion for keeping up with AI and where recruiting is heading.

Can you walk us through the key milestones in your career in the talent acquisition space? What were some pivotal moments or decisions that shaped your journey?

I’ve always been drawn to people — finding that one person who just fits, watching them grow, and seeing a team come together because of a great hire. That’s what gets me. I started my HR journey in 2017 at ADP Group in aviation, and even back then, recruitment was the part I loved most. After the pandemic, in 2021, I made the decision to go all in on talent acquisition — and I’ve never looked back. There’s something really special about helping a founder or CTO build their dream team, and seeing them genuinely happy with the people they’ve hired. That’s my favourite part of this job.

In this rapidly evolving industry, what strategies or practices have you adopted to continuously enhance your skills and stay ahead of the curve? Do you have any resources or learning methods you'd recommend to others?

For me, curiosity is the engine. I genuinely believe there’s always more to learn — no matter how much experience you have. I follow webinars, boot camps, and love listening to people who’ve been through it and are willing to share. I soak it all up and then figure out what actually makes sense for my work. That’s how I got my PHRi, and that’s how I stay on top of where AI and recruiting tech are heading.

What has been the most challenging aspect of your career in talent acquisition, especially when you were actively seeking work? How did you overcome it, and what advice would you offer to others facing similar hurdles?

The honest answer? Geography. Being based in Georgia means not every door is open — some companies still aren’t comfortable hiring internationally or fully remote. And having a mixed background — agency, in-house, freelance across different industries — sometimes raises questions instead of sparking curiosity. But I see it as a strength. That variety gave me range. I’ve worked across gaming, tech, and more, and every project taught me something different. I’m confident the right company will see that too — and that’s the one worth waiting for.

The recruiting world can be fast-paced and demanding. How do you strike a balance between your professional commitments and personal life? Are there specific routines or rituals you follow?

Honestly, balance is a work in progress — sometimes I just love what I’m doing too much to stop. My mornings start with emails and LinkedIn, then a walk with my dog, then back for the kids, and then I’m at my desk ready to go. What really helps me is changing my environment — I’ll take my laptop to the seaside or a park and somehow I’m even more focused. And at the end of the day, I always make time to read — at least half an hour, no matter what. Netflix political and historical TV shows, interesting books — that’s how I decompress. That’s one of the things I love most about working remotely — you can be productive from anywhere, and for me, that freedom actually makes me better at my job.

As someone involved in talent acquisition, you've likely witnessed various technology and trend shifts. Which technologies or trends do you believe have had the most significant impact on the industry, and how have they influenced your role?

AI, without a doubt. It changed everything for me. I use it every single day — writing job descriptions, crafting outreach messages that still sound human, building scorecards. It saves me so much time that I sometimes think: how did I manage before this? The pace of AI development is just incredible, and honestly, it makes me excited about where recruiting is going. The possibilities right now feel bigger than ever.

For those entering the talent acquisition space or those looking to pivot within it, what's the one piece of practical advice you'd give to help them thrive, especially if they are actively job-seeking?

Be curious, and never be ashamed to ask questions — ever. The best recruiters I know are the ones who keep asking, keep learning, and never assume they already have all the answers. Check your information, think strategically, and most importantly — actually apply what you learn. Knowledge sitting on a shelf does nothing. And when someone comes to you for advice, give it genuinely. Help others find their path. Be open — with candidates, with hiring managers, with anyone you meet along the way. That generosity always comes back to you.