It’s simple — just email me at van@vanessaraath.com with a few details: your ideal date, the audience (e.g. recruiters, HR, leadership), and the topic or theme you have in mind. From there, I’ll confirm availability, suggest the best format, and we’ll take it from there. If you’re not 100% sure what you need yet, that’s okay too – I’m happy to help shape the session with you.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What size teams do you train?

I’ve trained everyone from solo freelancers to global TA teams of 100+ — and a whole heap of people in between, if I’m honest! Each session is tailored to your team’s size, structure, and preferred learning style, because real impact only happens when training feels relevant and engaging, and is fun.

Q: Where are you based? Do you travel for training?

I'm based on the gorgeous Garden Route, South Africa (yes, I am very blessed). And yes, I travel internationally to deliver keynotes, offsites, and in-person workshops. Having a British passport means I can get to most countries quickly, so just say the word.

Q: How do I know if your training actually works?

You are welcome to view the feedback for yourself. I’ve got 500+ glowing recommendations on LinkedIn and close to 100 on Trustpilot. Clients often report faster time-to-fill, better outreach response rates, and my personal favourite: “way more placements” after their teams have completed my training.

Q: What kinds of training formats do you offer?

You can choose from: Self-paced Online Academy – Access 7 pre-recorded courses, ideal for global or time-strapped teams. Live Virtual Training – You choose the topics, and I deliver live, interactive sessions via Teams or Zoom. Perfect for teams up to 25 who want real-time engagement. In-Person Workshops – Deep-dive sourcing experiences delivered on-site. Choose a 1-, 2-, or 3-day format depending on how immersive you'd like the training to be.

Q: Is your training suitable for beginners?

Yes – whether you’ve just discovered “Boolean” or you’re already building X-ray strings in your sleep. I meet you where you are with regards to your search skills.

Q: I’ve been recruiting for 20+ years — will I still learn something new?

Absolutely. Seasoned recruiters often get the most value because they bring deep context. I’ll help you unlearn outdated habits, sharpen your strategy, and start working smarter, not harder. One of my favourite messages to get after a session is: “I wish I’d known this five years ago.”

Who is Vanessa Raath?

I’m a Talent Sourcing Trainer, international keynote speaker, and AI enthusiast (the non-scary kind). Since launching my training business in 2019, I’ve worked with over 8000 recruiters across 100+ countries — all with one goal in mind: to make recruitment better, more human, and more effective.

Before that, I was a school teacher, a PADI Scuba Diving Instructor, an agency recruiter, and a Head of Talent Acquisition & Attraction for an IT Consulting Business.
Now, running my own business, I get to blend everything I love: helping people learn through training, sourcing creatively, and reviewing AI tools that empower recruiters rather than replace them.

How did you get into training recruiters?

It started with a love of teaching and a growing frustration with outdated recruitment advice. I saw too many teams stuck using LinkedIn like it was 2011. I knew I could help, and I knew I could teach others, so I created my own sourcing training business in 2019 — and haven't looked back since.

Every session I deliver is built around a simple belief: recruiters do better when they’re equipped, not overwhelmed

Do you work with in-house recruiters, agency recruiters, or both?

Both! My strategies work across the board. Whether you're filling financial roles in-house, seeking rare developers for a scale-up, or hustling agency-side to find nurses, the sourcing methods I teach are practical and not (expensive) platform-dependent.

You can take my sourcing methodologies and apply them to whichever industry you recruit in, anywhere in the world — they're about skills, not subscriptions.

What size teams do you train?

Where are you based? Do you travel for training?

How do I know if your training actually works?

What kinds of training formats do you offer?

You can choose from:

Self-paced Online Academy – Access 7 pre-recorded courses, ideal for global or time-strapped teams.
Live Virtual Training – You choose the topics, and I deliver live, interactive sessions via Teams or Zoom. Perfect for teams up to 25 who want real-time engagement.
In-Person Workshops – Deep-dive sourcing experiences delivered on-site. Choose a 1-, 2-, or 3-day format depending on how immersive you'd like the training to be.

What topics do your courses cover?

I train across several key themes across the recruitment industry, designed to cover the entire sourcing and outreach journey. Here’s what’s included:

Personal Branding: Position yourself as the go-to recruiter in your niche.
Finding Hidden Talent: Go beyond LinkedIn with creative search methods that uncover candidates others miss.
Advanced Tech Sourcing: Dive deep into platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and other lesser-known goldmines.
Boolean & Chrome Extensions: Supercharge your searches and find contact info faster.
Crafting Better Outreach: Learn how to write messages that actually get replies (no more ghosting).
Niche Talent Pools & Sourcing Channels: Discover where specialist talent hides — and how to reach them.
Business Development for Recruiters: Pitch with confidence, handle objections, and build stronger client relationships.
AI for recruiters: I offer live and in-person workshops around AI confidence in this ever-changing industry.

Whether you're sourcing software engineers or physiotherapists, these strategies are practical, proven, and adaptable to your market.

Is your training suitable for beginners?

I’ve been recruiting for 20+ years — will I still learn something new?

I work in tech. Will your training help me?

I don’t work in tech — is your training still relevant?

Can we customise the training for our team’s needs?

What if we’re a distributed/global team — can we train together?

Absolutely.

My Online Academy was built with global teams in mind: each person gets a personal login with 90 days' access to all seven courses from their unique start date.
Prefer live training? I’m used to running sessions across all time zones – early mornings, late nights, you name it.
Or invite me to your annual offsite, and I’ll deliver the training in person when everyone’s together.

However your team works, I’ll fit around it.

What makes your approach unique?

I’m still in the trenches as an active freelance talent sourcer, not someone preaching theory from a decade ago. Everything I teach comes from doing the work, not just talking about it.

Expect practical tactics you can apply the same day, loads of storytelling, and zero boring slide decks. My sessions are built to energise you, not drain you. We’ll laugh, we’ll learn, and you’ll leave sharper than you arrived.

Do I get templates, scripts, or bonus resources?

Do you train recruiters to use AI?

Yes. I run both 1-on-1 coaching and live group sessions to help recruiters use AI without losing their human touch. I cover everything from smarter prompt writing to choosing the right tools to boost your sourcing speed and creativity. I don’t offer this training in my Online Academy because AI evolves too quickly – everything I teach is delivered live, so it’s fresh, relevant, and tailored to your use case.

Can you help me build my own GPT?

Definitely. I offer 1-on-1 coaching sessions to help you build a custom GPT that actually works for your workflow. And it's not just for recruiters — I’ve helped estate agents, vets, and even mining companies create their own AI tools. Whether you're brand new to ChatGPT or already experimenting, I’ll guide you step-by-step so you walk away with something practical, personal, and genuinely time-saving.

How much does your training cost?

All pricing for the training through my Online Academy is on my website. If you want a quote or an invoice in a different currency, please pop me an email on [email protected], and I can get this to you ASAP. For the live online and in-person training, it depends on the team size and the location of the training – online or in-person? Just email me with a few details and I’ll send a custom quote to you, based on your particular needs.

Do you offer group discounts or corporate pricing?

Can I pay in my local currency?

Do you offer refunds if I change my mind?

How far in advance should we book training?

If you're joining the Online Academy, you can start as soon as payment is received — no delay. For live virtual training, I typically need 3 to 6 weeks’ notice, depending on my current schedule. For in-person workshops, it depends on the travel required, but 5 to 7 weeks' notice is usually perfect. If you’re working with tight timelines, feel free to ask — I’ll always try to make it work if I can.

Can we split the training over multiple weeks?

Do you offer short “lunch & learn” sessions?

How do we get the most out of your training?

Bring real roles, real challenges, and be ready to test ideas live. The more hands-on and curious your team is, the more practical value they'll take away. After training, you'll also be invited into The Talent Hunters community — a global network of 6,000+ recruiters where you can ask questions, share wins, and keep learning. And if you ever need help, I’m just an email or LinkedIn message away — I typically respond within 24 hours, or 48 if I’m travelling

What if my team isn’t confident using tech or AI?

That’s totally fine – in fact, it’s more common than you think. We all have to start somewhere, and I’ve built my training with that in mind.

I’m a qualified teacher, and patience is one of my superpowers. I explain things in plain language, break complex ideas into simple steps, and always use live, real-life examples – no jargon, no judgment.

Whether your team is brand new to ChatGPT or still getting to grips with Chrome extensions, I’ll meet them where they are and help build genuine confidence, one click at a time.

How do you keep remote teams engaged during virtual sessions?

Let’s be honest – virtual training can be a snooze if it’s just slides and silence. That’s not my style. I keep things dynamic with humour, storytelling, live demos, and plenty of interaction. I use tools like Slido / Mentimeter to run polls, quizzes, word clouds, and live Q&As — so even quieter team members can get involved. It feels more like a conversation than a lecture. I’ve trained teams across five continents, and I know how to keep a Zoom room awake, engaged, and actually enjoying themselves while learning practical skills they can apply straight away.

Can you help us benchmark where we are now?

Yes — and it’s often a great way to kick things off. I can run a sourcing audit or a skills snapshot to help you understand your team’s current strengths, identify any gaps, and highlight quick wins we can build on during the training.

This might include reviewing current outreach messages, sourcing workflows, or platform usage. It’s a really useful way to create a baseline so we can clearly measure progress. This is offered as an optional add-on at an additional fee, which we can discuss and tailor based on your goals and team size.

Do you offer refresher sessions?

Yes – refresher sessions are available as an optional add-on for any training format. They’re a great way to reinforce learning, address new challenges, and explore any updated tools or techniques. While there’s no set timeline, I recommend checking in at least every 6 months, especially since sourcing tech and AI tools evolve so quickly. These sessions can be tailored to your team’s needs and are available for an additional fee.

How long do I have access to the courses?

You’ll have 90 days of access from the moment you start — and the keyword here is start, not when you sign up. That means you can begin when the timing suits you best. Some people like to binge on a course in one weekend; others prefer to chip away slowly. But I always recommend this: learn while you implement.

The training is designed to fit alongside your current roles, so you can apply what you’re learning in real time — whether that’s trying a new Boolean string, testing an outreach message, or experimenting with a new sourcing tool. That’s where the real growth (and confidence) happens.

Can I share my academy login with someone else?

No – and not because I’m being strict! The platform automatically detects multiple logins from different IP addresses, much like LinkedIn Recruiter does. If it picks up that your login is being shared, it can lock the account – and unfortunately, that’s out of my control. I know it comes from a good place, but each user needs their own access to keep everything secure and running smoothly.

Is there an assessment and certificate for each course?

Yes – at the end of each course, you’ll take a short multiple-choice quiz to check your understanding of the key concepts. Once you pass, you’ll unlock a downloadable certificate of completion (and your curated bonus resources).

Certificates are issued for individual users only and are linked to your personal course progress — perfect for adding to your learning portfolio or LinkedIn profile.

Do you track the student’s progress?

What’s the best way to complete the training?

The most effective way to complete the training is to set aside around 2 hours per week — that’s usually enough to watch a few videos, try out a new tool or search technique using a current role. I encourage my students to use a Boolean string in an actual search, test a new outreach message with a real candidate, or experiment with a Chrome extension while sourcing.

The magic isn’t just in watching — it’s in doing, tweaking, and getting feedback in real time. This isn’t theoretical training; it’s designed to move the needle on your hiring goals while you learn.

What topics do you cover in your keynotes?

My keynotes are fully customisable — if you’ve got a specific theme or challenge in mind, I can design something fresh with enough notice. It’s all about the delivery: engaging, relatable, and packed with energy. The topics I’m most often asked to speak on include, but are not limited to:

Smarter talent sourcing – beyond LinkedIn, how to find hidden talent in unexpected places
Building recruiter brands – how to stand out and attract talent without chasing it
AI-powered recruitment – practical ways recruiters can use AI without losing the human touch
Outreach strategies that don’t suck – crafting messages candidates actually reply to
How to future-proof your TA team – skilling up, leaning into tech, and evolving with the market

If you want something completely tailored to your EVP, current priorities, or audience mix, just ask — I love building talks that feel fresh and truly land with the room.

Who have you spoken for in the past?

I’ve delivered keynote presentations and company talks for global brands like Accenture, Schneider Electric, TE Connectivity, PEPKOR, Twitter and communities like The Recruitment Network (UK), NPAworldwide (Global), and the TEAM Network (UK). I’ve also spoken at major industry conferences including Sourcing Summit (SOSU), SourceCon, and ERE Media events.

My talks have taken me across five continents – from South Africa to Seattle, Amsterdam to Auckland– and I’m currently on the lookout for opportunities in Asia to complete the global set!

Whether it’s a conference main stage or a closed-door strategy session, I tailor every talk to the audience and always bring insight, energy, and real-world relevance.

Do you only speak at big conferences?

Not at all. While I love the energy of a big conference stage, I also regularly speak at smaller, high-impact gatherings — from team offsites and leadership strategy sessions to training sessions for startups, NGOs, charities, and female-led empowerment groups are my favourite. I adapt my tone, content, and delivery style to suit the group, whether it’s a boardroom of executives, a room full of new recruiters, or a passionate community of women in tech.

My goal is always the same: to inspire, upskill, and leave people with practical takeaways they can use immediately, no matter the size of the audience or budget. If you’ve got a mission-driven team or community that could benefit from sourcing skills or AI confidence, I’d love to support.

Can you tailor the talk to our EVP, theme, or goals?FAQ

Absolutely – in fact, I believe that’s where the real value lies. Every session I deliver is custom-built to suit the audience, the tone of the event, and the outcomes you want to drive. Whether you’re focused on employer branding, diversity hiring, digital transformation, or team wellness, I’ll shape the message to align with your strategy and speak directly to what your people need to hear.

The truth is, the skill isn’t just in the topic– it’s in the delivery. I could speak on Boolean or burnout, AI or authenticity – the impact comes from how it’s brought to life. With enough notice, I can design a brand-new talk or tweak existing material to support your EVP, tie into your leadership themes, or complement your internal messaging. It’s never a cookie-cutter keynote – it’s about making sure your audience feels seen, understood, and fired up to take action.

Do you speak to HR/People teams, not just recruiters?

Yes – absolutely. While sourcing and recruitment are my sweet spots, I regularly speak and train across the broader HR, People & Culture, and Talent Leadership space. I’ve delivered sessions on everything from purpose-driven HR, empathy in leadership, and wellness in the workplace to employer branding and how to navigate change with confidence.

Whether your audience is a room full of recruiters, HR generalists, senior leaders, or even non-HR teams wanting to better understand talent strategy or AI, I tailor my sessions to meet them where they are. If the goal is to inspire, educate, or shift behaviour around people and performance, I’m in.

How do we book you?

Do you offer anything free to try before we buy?

Yes — I offer several free training options so you can get a feel for my style and content before committing. There’s no credit card required and zero pressure – just practical, actionable insights you can start using straight away. You can choose from three different free courses:

The Dedicated Sourcer – why every Recruitment team needs a dedicated Talent Sourcer
Does Your Online Brand Attract or Repel Talent? – a brand audit and visibility booster
The World of AI in Recruitment – an intro to staying ahead of the AI tsunami, which seems to be engulfing all of us these days

Explore one or dive into all three – they’re there to help you start levelling up for free.

Where can I find your latest content?

You’ll find my freshest tips, tools, and behind-the-scenes insights across a few places:

LinkedIn – where I post regularly and share my LinkedIn newsletter for deeper dives
YouTube – sourcing tutorials, AI walk-throughs, and recruiter-friendly content
Facebook Group – The Talent Hunters – a global community of 6,000+ recruiters sharing tools and wins
TikTok – quick, fun sourcing tips and behind-the-scenes moments

Pick your platform — or follow them all if you’re feeling keen!

❓Frequently Asked Questions

🙋‍♀️ About Vanessa & Her Work

🎓 What Training Do You Offer?

💡 What Makes Your Training Different?

🤖 AI, Automation & Custom GPTs

💳 Logistics, Pricing & Admin

📅 Planning, Delivery & Practicalities

🎓 Learning through Vanessa’s Online Academy

🔈 Keynote Speaking & Events

🆓 Free Stuff & Staying in Touch