The People of CareerBuddy - Obinna Azubuko

Obinna is one of the people connecting great talent with great opportunities at CareerBuddy. As a Senior Talent Partner, he works closely with companies to find exceptional professionals while helping candidates take the next step in their careers. Obinna is always calm under pressure and in this interview, he shares what it's really like working behind the scenes in hiring, why protecting your mental well-being is essential in recruitment, and why he believes African talent is only getting stronger on the global stage.

Let's talk about how you came into your role at CareerBuddy

It was a pretty straightforward and seamless process. I applied through LinkedIn and was contacted shortly afterward to begin the recruitment process. I really appreciated being informed about every stage

during the initial conversation, so I always knew what to expect. The process consisted of three

interviews and an assessment. Even though I generally have my reservations about assessments. Lol

What does a typical day at Careerbuddy look like for you?

I work as a Senior Talent Partner, where I partner with multiple clients to support their recruitment

needs. A typical day involves having a stand-up meeting with my team, joining client calls to clarify role

requirements, sourcing exceptional talent across various platforms, reviewing and vetting profiles

submitted by junior team members, conducting candidate interviews, and presenting shortlisted

candidates to clients.

If CareerBuddy were a person, how would you describe their personality?

I would describe CareerBuddy as that one person who knows a little about everything! You know that

friend you'd call if you were on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? hot seat because you're confident they'd

come to your rescue with the right answer

What's the hardest thing about working in recruitment

I think it's generally accepted that recruitment is one of the most challenging areas of HR. I always

advise people who are looking to start a career in recruitment to prioritize their mental well-being

because the job can test it in many ways.

Beyond the challenge of identifying exceptional talent from a large pool of candidates, there are countless

aspects of the recruitment process that are simply beyond a recruiter's control. That's why it's important to

focus on the things you can control, execute them exceptionally well, and remain proactive at all times.

What's your hot take on the future of work in Africa?

There are so many talented Africans across a wide range of functions and industries. I believe Africa is

on the right track, with professionals continuously upskilling and staying current with the latest AI

trends. As a result, African talent will continue to be highly competitive in the global job market.

What's your hot take on Unwinding?

I'm a big advocate of the "work hard, play hard" philosophy. Work and deadlines can be demanding, so I

make a conscious effort to have fun and unwind whenever I can.

I'm a huge football fan and watch matches whenever I get the chance. I also enjoy spending time with

friends over drinks on the weekends. Maintaining that balance between work and personal life helps me

stay energized and perform at my best.