At Atlassian, recruitment is not just about filling roles. It is about building trust. Steve Bousfield, Senior Recruiter, believes that every interaction with a candidate leaves an impression on the brand — and that trust is built through honesty, empathy and follow-through.
In this episode of the VMJPod’s Employer Brand Series – Brisbane Edition, Steve joins David Macciocca and Will Innes to discuss what authenticity really looks like in recruitment, and how recruiters bring the brand’s values to life from the very first conversation.
For Steve, recruiters play a vital role in shaping perception long before a hire is made.
“We are the first experience someone has with Atlassian,” he says. “How we communicate and follow up defines how people see our brand.”
That means treating every interaction as an opportunity to reinforce respect and consistency.
“Even if a candidate is not successful, they should walk away feeling positive. That is what creates credibility.”
Steve’s approach is simple — be real. Candidates want to hear genuine stories, not sales pitches.
“People can tell when something is too polished,” he explains. “We try to show what it is really like to work here. The good parts and the hard parts.”
From “day in the life” videos to open conversations about the work environment, Atlassian focuses on honesty and relatability.
“The more authentic we are, the more trust we build. It is about being human, not scripted.”
Steve works closely with the employer branding team to ensure what candidates see online matches what they experience in conversations.
“We share insights from interviews and candidate feedback so that our content and messaging stay aligned,” he says. “It keeps us honest and consistent.”
That collaboration strengthens the bridge between recruitment and marketing, creating a seamless candidate journey that feels genuine at every touchpoint.
In a fast-moving hiring market, empathy is what stands out most.
“Small things matter,” Steve says. “A clear update or a bit of encouragement can completely change how someone feels about your company.”
By making space for authentic conversation and care, Atlassian ensures that candidates leave with a positive impression — whether they join or not.
“Trust is not built through one conversation. It grows through every interaction that shows you care.”
Recruiters are the front line of every employer brand. Steve’s approach shows that authenticity and empathy are the real drivers of trust.
“The experience you give someone today will shape what they say about you tomorrow,” he says. “Be honest, be kind and be consistent.”