We spoke with Louise Helin – Head of Talent Acquisition, and Tanya Usanina – Talent Acquisition Partner at ELK Studios.
From Excel to a Modern ATS
Previously, recruitment was managed via Excel, email, and various note-taking tools. The manual handling was both time-consuming and risky – it was easy to lose track of candidates and forget to follow up. For a company with a high recruitment pace and many specialist roles, this became unsustainable.
"We had Excel and Google Notes. It was inefficient and risky. It was easy to miss candidates and following up became messy," explains Louise.
The choice fell on TalentAdore, a solution that combines structure, user-friendliness, and flexibility. The introduction of TalentAdore's ATS represented a significant leap forward in efficiency and quality.
"The difference was like night and day. Now we have everything gathered in one place and can work much more efficiently. It saves both time and mental energy," Tanya continues.
A Recruitment Culture Built on Respect: Everyone Should Feel Welcome
ELK Studios works one hundred percent on-site, which is unusual in today's working life. But for the company, it is a strategic investment. The physical presence promotes creativity, fast feedback, and a strong sense of community. The goal is to create a work environment where people thrive, develop, and feel a sense of belonging – even for those who relocate to Sweden from other countries.
"We want it to feel worth moving here. That you get something in return – community, a creative environment, and that everyone feels welcome," states Louise.
Diversity is a natural part of the business. The recruitment process is competency-based and unbiased, and each new employee brings unique perspectives to the team.
"We have 22 different nationalities in the company and actively work to ensure everyone feels included," states Tanya.
Challenges in Finding the Right Competence
Recruiting within game development, especially in the niche world of 2D animation and game design, presents major challenges. ELK Studios often seeks creators and developers with specific technical knowledge – for example in After Effects and Spine – which is becoming increasingly difficult to find in Sweden. Many educational programs today focus primarily on 3D, making the availability of 2D competence limited.
"It is difficult to find candidates who have exactly the combination of skills we need. Schools today train almost exclusively in 3D," explains Louise.
The company therefore places great emphasis on work samples in its recruitment process. A candidate's technical skill and understanding of the industry's requirements carry significant weight, even though personal qualities are also important.
Louise Helin — Head of Talent Acquisition på ELK Studios.
TalentAdore Creates Clarity and Saves Time
The implementation of TalentAdore brought a clear improvement across the entire recruitment flow. The system gathers all candidates and communication in one single place, making it easy to follow up and collaborate as a team. The ability to create custom templates and automated messages has improved communication with candidates.
"We often receive kind replies from candidates we have rejected, simply because the feedback feels personal and respectful," explains Tanya.
The structure of the system also makes it easier to prioritize follow-ups and maintain a steady pace in the processes. This contributes to a fairer candidate experience and strengthens the company's employer brand.
Fast Support and a Smooth Overall Experience
With approximately 40 recruitments per year, ELK Studios greatly benefits from a system tailored to their needs. TalentAdore has not only made the recruitment work more efficient, but has also helped create a more professional and attractive candidate journey.
The close collaboration with TalentAdore is also appreciated – support is fast, implementation was smooth, and the system is experienced as both intuitive and flexible.
"Don't hesitate. TalentAdore has truly simplified our recruitments, and our everyday work," concludes Tanya.
Would you also like to streamline your recruitment and improve your candidate experience? Read more about TalentAdore Hire and book a demo here.