Michael Watson

Principal Talent Acquisition Recruiter, Workday

304 - The Inside Track on How to Be Discovered/Hired

Michael Watson is passionate about helping people realize their potential and setting them on a path to achieving great things. For the past 2 1/2 years, he has helped Workday scale their hiring from 1,500 to over 7,000 employees, all while being recognized as a great place to work. Before joining Workday, Mr. Watson was a Senior Manager of Global Talent Acquisition for HGST, where he drove the global recruiting, branding, and diversity strategies. Prior to HGST, he was Polycom's Talent Acquisition Manager for the Americas, driving their programs around diversity, university recruiting and employee referrals.

Mr. Watson's expertise lies in understanding how to attract, engage, and recruit top talent. His unique personality, sense of humor, and humility make for an engaging conversation about all things talent related. He currently volunteers his time with several organizations including Vets in Tech, Women in Technology, and Grace Hopper. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and volunteering at their school. Mr. Watson holds a degree in Criminology from Fresno State University.