Kristiana Sefere has been recruiting across different functions for years, and the conversation felt like sitting with someone who understands the job without dramatizing it. Calm, clear, and honest about what’s realistic, especially when you’re the only TA person in the company.

Budget cuts need logic, not pressure

When asked how she’d handle a 50 percent budget cut while keeping the same hiring goals, she didn’t accept the premise.

“If you want the same output with half the resources, something’s wrong with the decision-making, not TA.”

Her approach is simple: no budget conversation works without strategic context.

AI only works when the basics do

Kristiana isn’t chasing the newest tool. Her first instinct is to push the ATS further before adding anything.

“I’m not an early adopter — I want to understand the value before adding another layer.”

It’s pragmatic, not resistant. A stable foundation makes everything else faster.

Intake deserves more weight than it gets

She sees intake as one of the most misunderstood parts of hiring. When it’s done well, everything speeds up. When it’s rushed, TA spends the rest of the process cleaning up the gaps.

The takeaway

Kristiana represents the reality many TA professionals live: high stakes, limited resources, and a need for smarter structure rather than louder tools. Her perspective is a reminder that improving hiring starts with alignment, not heroics.