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Why We Start with Context — Not CVs or Job Specs

Posted on 01 April 2025

At DukeMed, we don’t believe good recruitment starts with urgency.

It starts with context.

That’s why every engagement begins with a short, structured conversation — either a Hiring Strategy Intro Call for employers or a Candidate Context Call for MedTech professionals.

Not to sell.

Not to pitch roles.

Not to collect CVs.

But to understand what’s really going on — before decisions are made.

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What Are Hiring Strategy & Candidate Context Calls?

These calls are not traditional recruiter conversations.

They’re deliberate, two-way discussions designed to surface reality early — so time, energy, and reputation aren’t wasted later.

For Employers: Hiring Strategy Intro Calls

Hiring in MedTech rarely fails because of effort.

It fails because assumptions go untested.

In a Hiring Strategy Intro Call, we focus on:

  • what the role is actually expected to deliver

  • how the market is likely to respond

  • where expectations may be misaligned (scope, compensation, timing)

  • whether search, insight work, or something lighter is the right next step

There’s no obligation to proceed.

In many cases, the outcome isn’t “let’s hire now” — it’s clarity:

  • whether the role is viable

  • what needs refining

  • or whether waiting is the smarter move

That clarity is what makes later searches convert — when and if they proceed.

A high-quality photo of a diverse group of people sitting around a table, having a discussion or brainstorming session.

For Candidates: Candidate Context Calls

Most candidates have had this experience:

  • a recruiter reaches out

  • roles are mentioned loosely

  • nothing materialises

  • confidence erodes

We don’t work that way.


A Candidate Context Call isn’t about matching you to open roles.

It’s about understanding:

  • where you’re at in your career

  • what kind of move would actually make sense

  • what you’re optimising for (growth, stability, exposure, leadership)

  • and whether the market is likely to support that move right now

Sometimes the outcome is no action — and that’s still valuable.

Because knowing when not to move is as important as knowing when to lean in.

Cork board with string between various career coaching topics

Why We Work This Way

Because clarity upfront reduces risk for everyone.

For employers, it avoids:

  • rushed searches

  • false starts

  • mis-hires that cost more later

For candidates, it avoids:

  • wasted conversations

  • being floated for roles that aren’t real

  • mismatched opportunities that don’t progress

Context allows decisions to be deliberate instead of reactive.

That’s especially important in MedTech — where credibility, relationships, and timing matter far more than speed.

What These Calls Are

Not

To be clear, these conversations are not:

  • job pitch calls

  • CV reviews

  • contingent “let’s see what’s out there” chats

If we talk to you about a role later — it’s because:

  • the role is committed

  • the brief is real

  • and the fit has been thought through

That’s intentional.

If You’re Not Ready for a Call Yet

Not everyone needs a conversation immediately.

If you’re earlier in your thinking — or want to sense-check your position first — there are lighter ways to engage.

For Candidates

If you’re unsure how ready you are to move, start here:

Career Move Readiness Diagnostic

A short, self-guided check to help you understand whether your experience, positioning, and direction align with today’s MedTech market.


👉 Take the Career Move Readiness Diagnostic


For Employers

If you’re questioning whether a role is viable — or how the market might respond — insight work often comes before search.


👉Book a Hiring Strategy Intro Call

Start with Context. Decide with Confidence.

Whether you’re hiring or exploring your next move, the goal isn’t activity.

It’s confidence.


That starts with understanding the situation properly — before committing to execution.

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​Posted April - updated 2026

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