Localization makes your recruitment process more effective. Jan Bilek from Localazy for The Recursive

Human resource management, much like the management of an entire organization, is an interdisciplinary field. It draws upon knowledge from management science, psychology, and IT. However, one crucial area often overlooked, particularly in multinational organizations, is language. While effective communication with current and potential employees is highly valued, the importance of localization is frequently underestimated. Yet, it holds significant potential, especially in HR activities, where it can greatly enhance both team collaboration and recruitment effectiveness.

Probably all of us, at least once in our lives, have had the opportunity to eat a burger at McDonald’s. We associate this American chain with global reach and standardization. However, if we take a closer look at its operations, we see how it adapts some of its products and their naming to local markets. In Poland, there is an opportunity to try WieśMac, which refers to the flavors associated with the Polish countryside. In India, you can order the McAllo Tiki Burger, a vegetarian patty that refers to Indian flavors. This treatment makes the restaurant seem closer to us, and we feel appreciated and satisfied that the global chain is drawing inspiration from our cuisine and culture.

Localization works in a similar way. In simple terms, it involves translating content from a foreign language into the recipient’s native language while carefully considering cultural, social, historical, and other relevant contexts. The goal isn’t just to make the text (or other content) understandable but to ensure it resonates with the local context and creatively incorporates the unique characteristics of the community.

This strategy ensures that a product, computer game, website, graphic, or movie elicits similar reactions and emotions in the target audience as it does in the original audience. It makes the content feel more familiar, enhancing the viewer’s satisfaction and loyalty. These benefits of language localization can also be effectively leveraged in HR, particularly during the recruitment process.

Discover how to use localization in the recruiting process in The Recursive publication!