Josh Fialky

Josh Fialky

Executive Director, Talent Acquisition - Havas Media Network

For Joshua Fialky, recruiting was not the career he originally planned—but it became the perfect way to combine two passions he had developed throughout his professional journey.

Before entering talent acquisition, Joshua spent nearly two decades building a successful career in media, advertising, digital marketing, and search strategy.

“I had been in media and advertising for almost 20 years,” Joshua explains. “Then I realized I wanted to try something different.”

After years of leading teams, managing businesses, and hiring talent as part of his leadership responsibilities, Joshua decided to take a step back and reassess what he wanted his next chapter to look like.

He spent a year as a stay-at-home dad while his children were in elementary school, using the time to focus on family and reflect on his career.

It was during that period that a friend who ran a staffing firm suggested he consider recruiting as a profession.

“You’ve built teams, managed people, hired talent, and grown businesses,” she told him. “Why not try recruiting?”

Joshua joined a staffing firm and quickly discovered he genuinely enjoyed talent acquisition. While he appreciated the agency side of recruiting, he realized what excited him most was being part of an organization’s long-term success.

“I wanted to help build a culture and bring people into a company where they could grow,” he says.

Nearly a decade ago, he joined Havas, where he found the opportunity to combine his deep media expertise with his passion for recruiting and talent leadership.

The Power of Helping People Build Careers

For Joshua, talent acquisition is about much more than filling positions.

He believes recruiters play a meaningful role in some of the most important decisions people make in their lives.

“Finding a job is one of the biggest decisions people make,” he says. “Along with buying a home, getting married, and deciding whether to have children.”

Because career moves happen relatively infrequently, many candidates enter the hiring process without confidence or recent interviewing experience.

Joshua sees recruiters as advocates who help candidates navigate those moments.

His greatest source of motivation continues to be helping people find opportunities where they can grow, succeed, and make the most of their skills.

“Being able to help someone find one of the most important things in their life feels really good,” he explains.

That sense of purpose has remained a constant throughout his recruiting career and continues to drive the work he does today.

A Leadership Lesson That Never Left

When asked about the people who have had the greatest influence on his career, Joshua immediately points to a manager from one of his earliest agency roles.

While the lesson itself was simple, its impact has lasted for decades.

“She taught me the importance of ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’” Joshua recalls.

At the end of every workday, his manager would stop by his desk and thank him for his contributions.

It was a small gesture, but one that fundamentally shaped the way Joshua approaches leadership.

“That is probably the most impactful management lesson I’ve ever received,” he says.

Today, Joshua makes appreciation a central part of his leadership philosophy.

He regularly sends messages to his team expressing gratitude for their work and makes a conscious effort to recognize contributions both publicly and privately.

“As a leader, I’m nothing without my team,” he explains. “Showing appreciation goes a long way.”

Years later, Joshua even had the opportunity to work alongside that manager’s son and tell him directly how much his mother had influenced his own leadership style.

Beyond technical expertise or business strategy, Joshua believes genuine appreciation remains one of the most powerful tools any leader can use.

Navigating a Challenging Talent Market

As the recruiting landscape continues evolving, Joshua believes talent acquisition professionals are operating in one of the most challenging hiring environments in recent years.

Economic uncertainty, shifting workforce dynamics, changing hiring practices, and increased competition for opportunities have created a market that requires candidates to be more proactive than ever before.

His advice is clear: invest in relationships.

“Networking is more important now than it has ever been,” he says.

Joshua encourages job seekers to identify companies they admire, connect with people who share common backgrounds, and actively build relationships within their target industries.

While online applications remain important, he believes meaningful connections often create opportunities that candidates might never discover otherwise.

At the same time, he emphasizes the importance of balancing persistence with professionalism.

“There’s a difference between being persistent and being a pest,” he explains.

For recruiters and talent leaders, the lesson is similar. Building strong relationships, maintaining communication, and treating every interaction as an opportunity to create a positive impression can have lasting effects.

Advice for Talent Leaders Heading into 2026

As organizations continue adapting to changing markets, new technologies, and evolving workforce expectations, Joshua believes the fundamentals of recruiting remain unchanged.

Relationships matter.

People matter.

And appreciation matters.

His advice to talent leaders is to stay focused on building meaningful connections, supporting their teams, and remembering the human side of the hiring process.

“Keep your chin up,” he says. “It’s a tough market, but opportunities are out there.”

He also encourages leaders to continue investing in the development of others, recognizing that some of the most rewarding moments in recruiting come from watching people grow over time.

One of his favorite memories is seeing a former intern who joined Havas nearly a decade ago return after graduation and build a successful career within the company.

Watching that individual grow into a leadership role remains one of the most fulfilling experiences of his career.

For Joshua, that is what talent acquisition is ultimately about: helping people discover opportunities, grow into their potential, and build careers they are proud of.

By combining empathy, gratitude, relationship-building, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed, Joshua Fialky continues to demonstrate the lasting impact great talent leaders can have on both individuals and organizations.