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The Designer Recruiter
The Designer Recruiter
Author: Esther Echeverria
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© 2026 The Designer Recruiter
Description
Why wasn’t your CV picked? What really happened in that interview?
Hosted by Esther Echeverria, a Dubai-based recruiter with nearly 10 years of experience placing designers, architects, and engineers, The Designer Recruiter podcast gives you the unfiltered feedback you’ve been craving.
Each episode features industry leaders who reveal what makes candidates stand out (or not), and how hiring decisions are actually made. No fluff — just the honest insights you wish you got from recruiters.
14 Episodes
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In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria sits down with Laila Al-Yousuf, Creative Director and Partner at Say Studio, to explore her journey through the design industry from purpose led creativity to building a studio that stands for more than just aesthetics. Laila shares honest reflections on what it really takes to grow in the design world, the myths young designers often believe, and why finding purpose is just as important as build...
In this inspiring episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria sits down with Christine Espinosa-Erlanda, Associate Director at Godwin Austen Johnson, to explore her 20-year journey from humble beginnings in the Philippines to becoming one of the UAE’s most respected architects. Christine opens up about her rise through the ranks, entrepreneurial ventures, leadership lessons, and the biases she’s broken along the way — proving that grit, grace, and purpose can reshape any career....
🎙️ This week on The Designer Recruiter, Esther sits down with Kristian Stinson, Co-Founder & Managing Director of FINCH, a Dubai-based design agency working with some of the world’s biggest hospitality and retail brands. From his career transition from law to design to building Finch into a creative powerhouse, Kristian shares the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship, branding, and family life. 🔥 What you’ll learn in this episode: - How designers can truly win on social media ...
In this episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria sits down with Nurain Jamal, Co-Founder of Majara DXB, for a powerful and personal conversation about leading with empathy in the architecture and design world. Nurain shares her honest take on building a career—and a company—on purpose, flexibility, and inclusion. You’ll hear: - Why Majara DXB hires for values, not just experience - How Nurain balances business and motherhood - Real talk on return-to-work moms and flexible wo...
What if construction leadership put people first? In this episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria sits down with Hamed Parnian, Managing Director at Vedra, to talk about building more than just spaces—he’s building a values-driven business. Hamed shares his journey from corporate frustration to founding Vedra, a boutique consultancy focused on trust, culture, and real relationships. He explains how empathy, clarity, and mindset shape everything he does. You’ll hear: - Why...
What happens when you pivot industries, start over in a new country, and raise a child—on your own? In this inspiring episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria speaks with Katrina Tasbaz, a showroom manager at VitrA and board member of Return to Work Mom. With over 20 years in the bathroom industry across the UK and UAE, Kathrina opens up about: 🔹Making the leap from design to sales 🔹Building credibility in a new market 🔹Balancing single motherhood with career ambition 🔹Facing...
Struggling to stand out in your applications or be confident during interviews? This episode is for you! From overcoming shyness to reshaping hiring processes—Kimberley Dean, Associate Director at Bishop Design, shares her personal and professional evolution in this inspiring chat with host Esther Echeverria. 🎯 In this episode: The LinkedIn strategy that got her hired—no CV neededWhy confidence is a skill, not a personality traitThe secret to looking natural on cameraHow to make your so...
Designers and design students, are you ready for some career insights? In this episode of The Designer Recruiter Podcast, Esther Echeverria delves into the dynamic world of design recruitment, providing valuable tips and inspiration. Meet today's guest Juan Roldan, a Spanish architect, designer, and researcher. Currently an associate professor at the American University of Sharjah, Juan brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for design practices in the UAE. Here’s what waits for you in this...
Welcome to the latest episode of The Designer Recruiter podcast, where we uncover the mysteries behind why your CV might not be making the cut for interviews or what's causing those post-interview rejections. Join your host, Esther Echeverria, a seasoned recruiter with nearly a decade of experience in Dubai, as she reveals how you can finally get the feedback you've been longing for and discover what truly sets one candidate apart from another. 🌟 Our special guest today is Rachael Brown, a re...
Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of architecture and design? In this exciting episode of the Designer Recruiter podcast, your host, Esther Echeverria, brings you an exclusive interview with AK Saadi, the Regional Director of Architecture at Jacobs, and the proud recipient of the prestigious Design Principal of the Year award. AK is about to drop a wealth of knowledge that's essential for anyone in the field! Here's a sneak peek at what you'll discover: 1. Turning ...
Are your CVs getting lost in the shuffle? Are post-interview rejections leaving you confused? In this episode, join Esther Echeveria, on The Designer Recruiter Podcast, where we dive into the world of design recruitment with Rasha Al-Takreeti. She's not just any designer – she was named Young Interior Designer of the Year in 2018 and was a guest among young Arab leaders at the World Government Summit. Today, she's the driving force behind her own company Waru, crafting nomadic spaces that red...
Join us on The Designer Recruiter podcast for an exclusive glimpse into the hiring process and the world of top design companies in Dubai. In this episode, we have a special treat for you – meet Rakan Jandali, a visionary designer with an artistic soul and a passion for connecting people through design. For the past 16 years, he's been an integral part of KCA International, the mastermind behind the awe-inspiring interiors of iconic hotels like J.W. Marriott, Caesar's Palace, and the world-fa...
Our debut episode features a remarkable guest, Ankita Jha, a mom and thriving business leader in the design and build industry. As a co-founder and owner of three successful luxury design and development companies in the Middle East, an accomplished author, and a captivating keynote speaker, Ankita brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. In this episode, Ankita reveals some closely guarded industry secrets that will revolutionize your job search strategy: 1. Passion vs. Skills: Ankita emph...
Welcome to The Designer Recruiter podcast, a platform where designers and architects can take proactive steps to secure their dream jobs. Are you wondering why your CV has not been selected for the interview? Why have you been rejected post-interview and what did you do wrong? Don't fret; we've got the answers! The Designer Recruiter is hosted by Esther Echeverria, a seasoned recruiter with 10 years of experience hiring designers, architects, and engineers in Dubai. In every episode, Esther...



