Stop Selling, Start Listening: What Vendors Get Wrong at Events

Ever wonder what happens when a consultant jumps into product strategy? Spoiler: it’s not all roadmaps and wireframes. We’re talking about the human side of tech—how real conversations at conferences, a killer candidate experience, and vendor humility can shape the future of recruitment. This one’s about what actually moves the needle. In this episode we speak with Elaine Orler chief Strategy and Product Officer at Match2 to dig into her journey from consulting to product strategy, why vendor engagement matters more than ever, and how the smartest recruiters use conferences to learn—not just pitch. We break down the candidate experience, mentorship, and how to build a recruitment career rooted in real relationships. Timestamps: 00:00 — Who is Elaine Orler and why is she special? 03:00 — Consulting to Product Strategy 05:57 — Vendor Engagement at Conferences 09:01 — Learning and Networking at Events 11:59 — Candidate Experience and Industry Insights 14:58 — Reflections on Relationships and Learning This limited series was recorded live at the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit from the Chatterworks booth on the expo floor. We sat down with 20 Recruiting and TA leaders from around the world to hear what today’s best recruiters are doing to stay sharp, stay relevant, and stay ahead. Powered by Chatterworks, the platform that helps recruiters transform the way they connect with top talent. Learn more about Chatterworks here: https://chatterworks.com/ Connect with the guest: Elaine Orler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaineorler/ Website: https://match2.jobs/ Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with us on social: Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/