Inside Recruitment at Hilti GB: How We Hire, What We Look For & Why It Matters

Written by the Hilti GB employer brand team. 

 

At Hilti, recruitment is a partnership – and because Hilti GB hires candidates directly, the first conversation marks the beginning of a long‑term relationship. Our Talent Acquisition team plays a huge part in that, helping future Hilti people understand not only the role, but also the culture, the expectations and the career possibilities that come with choosing Hilti.

To pull back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes, we spent an afternoon with two of our Talent Acquisition Business Partners: Sammie Ackers, who recruits for our enabling functions (Finance, HR, Marketing, Logistics, IT, Legal, After Market Services), and Levi Rowan, who recruits across Sales, Energy & Industry, Engineering and Customer Service.

Here’s what they had to say about recruitment at Hilti.

 

We hire people, not CVs

Ask Sammie what makes Hilti’s hiring unique, and she doesn’t hesitate:

“We really focus on the individual – their personality, their values, their drive. Not just what’s written on a CV.”

While experience matters, it’s the person behind the profile that makes the difference.

Are they curious?

Are they hungry to learn?

Are they reflective and aware of their growth areas?

These traits are universally valued – whether you're applying for a finance role or a field sales position.

 

Our recruitment philosophy: consistency, engagement, and hiring the best fit

Across all business areas, Sammie and Levi agree that our approach can be summed up in three themes:

Consistency

• A structured, transparent process – every candidate goes through a fair set of steps, and every CV is reviewed by an actual human. Yes, really.

Engagement

• Candidates hear from us often – preparation calls prior to an interview with the hiring manager, follow‑ups with feedback, honest conversations to see where you could fit – the list goes on. Communication is key.

Hiring the best possible person

• Not “the person with the longest list of skills,” but the one who will thrive in our culture and grow with us.

For Levi, that means being honest about the demands of sales roles:

“At Hilti, we owe every candidate the chance to succeed, and that starts with a high-quality, high-energy interview experience. In sales, things move fast – it is highly dynamic, and we expect your best – and our interviews are intentionally designed to reflect exactly that.”

 

What we look for – the non‑negotiables

Different roles have different technical skills or qualifications (you'll always see them on our job adverts), but some qualities matter everywhere:

For Enabling Functions (Sammie’s world):

• Long‑term mindset – wanting a career, not just a job
• Motivation and drive – the ambition to deliver in your role
• Learning agility – the ability to pick things up quickly
• Empathy & collaboration – we’re here to support the business, after all
• Cultural fit – collaborative, courageous, committed, acting with integrity

For Sales (Levi’s world):

• Drive and tenacity – the ability to push forward, stay resilient, and own your results
• Target ownership – you know your numbers, how to hit them, and how to exceed them
• Rapport‑building – fast, authentic connections with customers and colleagues
• Curiosity with purpose – asking about the territory, customers, challenges and opportunities 
• Confidence without arrogance – self-assured, not scripted 
• Real stories, real experiences – honesty over rehearsed answers wins every time

 

“Don’t use ChatGPT or other AI tools to script your interview answers. Managers want you, not a template.”

 

What makes a candidate stand out during the interview?

According to Sammie:

• Clear, structured answers (STAR / CAR approach)
• Thoughtful, well‑researched questions
• A follow‑up email after the interview
• Genuine passion and examples of delivering in your career to date
• Self‑awareness – knowing your strengths and development areas
• Research into Hilti – why are we the company you want to work for

 

According to Levi:

• Curiosity – the good kind. You genuinely want to understand more, dig deeper and explore beyond the "obvious"
• Ability to hold your own in a conversation. You're engaging, confident, and able to create real connections
• True commercial insight – especially in sales. You see opportunities, understand value, and think commercially
• Hunger, drive, and passion. The unmistakable energy that shows you want to win, grow, and make an impact
• Asking meaningful questions about the role itself, about the team you might be joining, and the difference you can make

 

What candidates often get wrong about recruitment

A major misconception? That AI screens applicants.

“At Hilti, we read every application. Every single one. We don’t use AI to filter or reject anyone.”

 

What we wish more candidates would do during the interview

• Research Hilti beyond the website’s homepage

Our products, our values, our culture, our long-term development mindset – all of it matters.

• Ask meaningful questions

Good balance: at least two about the role, and one about the culture.

• Tailor your CV

Even better: add a brief cover note explaining how you’ll close gaps if you’re missing some criteria for the role.

• Be yourself

Authenticity stands out more than perfection.

 

How we bring Hilti culture to life during hiring

Culture isn’t a slide or slogan – it’s how we show up. It comes through in how we communicate, how we support, and how we treat candidates from the very first conversation. It’s also how we expect future team members to show up for our customers and for one another.

That’s why, in interviews, managers deliberately create space for personal connection. Conversations about hobbies, families, or passions outside work aren’t just small talk – they’re a way of showing candidates that we see them as people first, not just CVs or roles to be filled.

Sales at Hilti isn't a solo sport. Many candidates assume field sales means working alone all the time, but Levi makes sure they understand the reality: Hilti's strength is in teamwork.

“We paint a clear picture of what the day-to-day really feels like – the collaboration, the support, the sense of belonging made real. You are never alone on the road, as you have the power of our field engineers, solution consultants, regional managers – a whole support network by your side. That is Hilti.”

 

Why choose Hilti?

Both Sammie and Levi ended the conversation on the same note: career development and people.

“We offer careers, not jobs. Hilti genuinely develops people. Most of our senior roles are filled internally.”

“I have dedicated 11 years to Hilti, and I am still genuinely excited to be here. Ever new opportunity reignites my ambitions, and the people I work with continuously inspire me. There is truly nowhere else I would rather grow my career.”

 

If you want stability and growth, ambition and support, challenge and community – Hilti offers a place where you can build a meaningful, long-term career. To join us, go to our careers website and see how you can join us.