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A proactive talent strategy was needed to support the team's workforce expansion goals, thereby addressing a combination of business growth and evolving customer preferences, Raviphan Panitcharoen, VP, Talent Acquisition, United Overseas Bank (Thai), shares.
Within the dynamic banking sector, United Overseas Bank (Thai) has streamlined its recruitment processes, while still striving to remain candidate centric.
Not only has the talent acquisition team achieved a 98% fill rate for approved positions, but it has also won several awards at the HR Excellence Awards 2024 in Thailand — namely:
- Silver for Excellence in Talent Acquisition
- Silver for Employer of the Year
- Bronze for HR Leader of the Year (Sasiwimol Arayawattanapong)
Raviphan Panitcharoen, Vice President, Talent Acquisition, United Overseas Bank (Thai), speaks to HRO on the importance of leveraging AI, enhancing employer branding, and prioritising the candidate experience, a focus which played a role in the team earning its wins.
Q What was the motivation that sparked your passion & business case for pursuing your outstanding people strategy?
The motivation behind our talent acquisition strategy emerged from dynamic changes within the banking sector, particularly during UOB's acquisition of Citibank's product lines in 2023 – 2024. Faced with heightened competition from fintech and non-bank players, we recognised the need to become more than just recruiters—we had to be strategic partners. The combination of business growth and evolving customer preferences demanded a proactive talent strategy to support our goal of expanding the workforce by over 1,400 positions.
Leveraging AI and data analytics enabled us to streamline recruitment processes, while our candidate-centric approach enhanced the overall experience. This strategy became the bedrock of our success, aligning with UOB’s long-term goal to become a leading financial institution in Thailand.
Q Looking back, can you share a challenge that you overcame in your journey of HR excellence? How did you triumph?
One of the most significant challenges was the scale and complexity of hiring over 1,400 employees, particularly amidst the Citibank acquisition. Managing this volume while ensuring quality hires required innovation. We overcame this by adopting AI-driven recruitment tools, which enhanced our data analytics capabilities. This allowed us to be better at assessing and matching candidates to our strategic goals. Additionally, the launch of the 'Better U Experience' project transformed the bank’s onboarding programme to take a more holistic approach by building partnerships with IT and corporate teams while ensuring that our processes were streamlined and efficient.
The Talent Acquisition team’s ability to achieve a 98% fill rate for approved positions and a cost avoidance of THB60mn was a testament to our resilience, adaptability and commitment to excellence.
Q Beyond the recognition, what impact do you hope your feature in the HR Excellence Awards would have on the HR community and manpower landscape?
We hope that our feature in the HR Excellence Awards inspires the HR community to prioritise strategic partnerships and adopt innovative approaches in talent acquisition. The banking industry, like many sectors, is facing rapid technological advancements and shifting workforce dynamics. Our approach—leveraging AI, enhancing employer branding and prioritising the candidate experience—demonstrates that HR is no longer just about filling roles. It is about aligning talent strategies with business growth and fostering an environment where employees are recognised as vital assets. By sharing our journey, we hope to encourage others to adopt a forward-thinking mindset, emphasizing data-driven decisions and a people-centric approach.
Q Could you share some advice you would give to others aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
For those aspiring to excel in talent acquisition, our advice would be to embrace change and constantly innovate.
In today's competitive job market, it is essential to think beyond traditional recruitment methods. Leverage technology—AI and data analytics—to gain insights into the candidate market, optimise processes and make informed decisions.
Secondly, build strong relationships within your organisation. Being a strategic partner to business units, IT and other stakeholders is crucial in ensuring alignment between talent strategies and business needs. Finally, always prioritise the candidate experience. Happy and engaged employees are a company's best ambassadors, and a positive recruitment journey can have lasting impacts on both retention and culture.
Q Let's talk inspiration! Who has been a driving force behind your success?
The driving force behind our success has been the unwavering support of HR team, especially the Talent Acquisition team and leaders at UOB. The 'UOB Way'—which emphasises care, growth and trust—has been integral in fostering an environment where we can thrive and lead impactful change. Additionally, collaborating with innovative partners such as LinkedIn and utilising cutting-edge tools for recruitment has inspired UOB Thailand to continually push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Lastly, we are inspired by the HR community at large. Witnessing how other leaders navigate the evolving talent landscape motivates us to contribute to ongoing innovation and excellence in talent acquisition.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
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