Discovering untapped talent starts with curiosity

Meet Aniya Gabes. For years, she worked in Human Resources. Over time, she felt increasingly drawn towards something different. “I needed a new challenge,” Aniya says. But how do you take that next step? 

“One of the biggest barriers for people like Aniya is the lack of networks,” explains Manon Gussy, Compliance Officer at RGF Staffing France. “Candidates often don’t know how to apply, what kind of role they really want, or how to access the right people who can help them into employment.”

Many of these people are easily overlooked. They may remain invisible, even when they have the motivation and potential to thrive. Through RGF Connect, Start People France works with government agencies and associations to identify these candidates and welcome them into their branches, transforming hidden talent into meaningful connections and concrete opportunities.

Looking beyond stereotypes

Obviously, Aniya did not fit the ‘typical’ IT profile. Her background was in HR, a field more commonly associated with communication and people skills than with code, systems or technical expertise. “I knew I wanted to move towards IT,” she explains. “I was interested in the technical side, but I also wanted to bring my HR experience with me. I didn’t want to start from zero, as if my previous experience did not count.”

Aniya was highly motivated. So, before entering the IT sector, she completed several specialized training programs in information technology. Among these, she successfully earned the internationally recognized ISTQB software testing certification, achieving the highest possible score of 40/40. She also completed training as an IT Support Technician.

As a result, her profile reflects a combination of extensive experience in Human Resources and strong technical competencies developed through her IT training. “Throughout my career transition, my objective has always been to build bridges between these two areas of expertise and create opportunities to leverage both skill sets,” Aniya explains.

Aniya Gabes: “I knew I wanted to move towards IT. I was interested in the technical side, but I also wanted to bring my HR experience with me. I didn’t want to start from zero, as if my previous experience did not count.”

When she heard that RGF Staffing France was organizing an IT focused event during the RGF Connect Global Week of Impact 2025, Aniya was curious and decided to attend. The event was open to anyone interested in IT, regardless of their background. “In many companies, IT roles still come with a lot of stereotypes – that you need very specific degrees, that it’s a male-dominated field, or that only highly technical résumés are relevant. We want to challenge those assumptions,” says Manon.

A new beginning

The RGF Connect Global Week of Impact 2025 offered Aniya the opportunity to take her first step into the IT industry and start building her career in this field. Aniya’s participation in the event and the conversations she had there led to an internship within the IT department at RGF Staffing France. Step by step, she found her place in the team and discovered how valuable her HR background could still be, from understanding users’ needs to communicating clearly and asking the right questions. At the end of her internship, she was offered a permanent position as a Functional Support Consultant – Interfaces and Business in the IT department, a moment she still looks back on with pride.

Changing the approach to recruitment

For Start People France, Aniya’s story represents more than a personal success. By opening their doors during the RGF Connect Global Week of Impact, they connected with people they may never have encountered through traditional recruitment channels. “We realized that when you focus on soft skills – such as motivation, communication and teamwork – you discover talents you might otherwise overlook,” says Pauline Allain, Disability and Diversity Officer at RGF Staffing France. “We want to change the way companies approach recruitment.”

RGF Connect Global Week of Impact 2026

During this year’s RGF Connect Global Week of Impact, Start People France is building on what they learned. Branches across the country are invited to organize their own activities, such as job speed-dating sessions, company presentations, open days with clients and events designed to put candidates first. “Our branches support candidates every day,” says Aurélie Bourgeois, Marketing and Communication Director at RGF Staffing France. “The RGF Connect Global Week of Impact gives us an opportunity to highlight, both internally and externally, the work we do to support people facing barriers to employment.”

Manon Gussy: “RGF Connect is a global adventure for all of us. Through collaboration with our colleagues in countries such as Belgium and the USA, we discover new ways of working and communicating. It enriches us both as a company and as individuals.”

Together with clients, Start People France also explores what is needed to turn opportunities into sustainable employment. For individuals with disabilities, who require adjustments, there is often more flexibility than employers initially expect: adapted working hours, changes to the work environment, or simple practical tools such as larger screens, specialized software, or special lighting. “Making a job accessible is often less complicated than people think,” Pauline explains. “And when we make those adjustments, we see people grow into roles they may once have believed were out of reach.”

Inspiration across borders

From January to April 2026, nearly 14,000 candidates from RGF Connect target groups in France were supported through jobs, mentoring, workshops and inclusion programs. For the team, these numbers are part of a much larger story. “It is a global adventure for all of us,” Manon explains. “Through collaboration with our colleagues in countries such as Belgium and the USA, we discover new ways of working and communicating. It enriches us both as a company and as individuals, and it motivates us to share more stories, like Aniya’s.”

Stay curious

Looking back, Aniya sees the RGF Connect Global Week of Impact as a turning point in her life. Her message to others who feel they do not fit a stereotypical profile is simple: “Stay curious and don’t underestimate yourself. Your experience matters, but it is not the only thing that counts. Attend events and ask questions. You may discover an opportunity you never expected.”