Building a Testing Center of Excellence: Gaurav Solanki’s Talent Acquisition Journey

Technology has been part of Gaurav Solanki’s journey from an early stage, from assembling his first PC during his school days to building a 14-year career in IT recruitment and talent acquisition.

Today, as Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist – Technology at Duncan & Ross, Gaurav works closely with candidates, hiring managers and business stakeholders to connect the right talent with evolving technology needs. His contribution to the Talent Acquisition effort behind D&R’s Testing Center of Excellence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been a defining part of that journey, bringing together people, business needs and technology delivery through strong processes and collaboration.

From Technology to Talent Acquisition

Can you tell us about your professional journey and current role?

I am a Senior Talent Acquisition professional with 14 years of experience in IT recruitment and talent management. Over the past year, I have worked closely with candidates, hiring managers, and stakeholders to understand business requirements and identify the right talent for different roles. Currently, I am expanding my responsibilities into account management, building closer relationships with clients to better understand their needs and manage their demands efficiently.

An Early Connection to Technology

Gaurav’s connection with technology started well before his career in Talent Acquisition. During his school years, hands-on experience with computer hardware gave him an early introduction to the field and ultimately influenced the direction of his career. What first sparked your interest in technology and Talent Acquisition?

Technology has always fascinated me. It has been part of my life since my school days, when I first enrolled in hardware classes and had the opportunity to assemble an entire PC. That became a turning point for me and sparked my interest in technology. Later, I decided to step into Talent Acquisition. I really enjoy what I do, especially talking to different IT professionals and understanding the business. At the same time, it helps me stay in tune with the latest trends in the market.

Beyond Filling a Position

Over the years, working with different stakeholders, candidates and business requirements has shaped how Gaurav views Talent Acquisition. For him, successful recruitment goes beyond filling a role; it is also about communication, trust and understanding expectations. How has your experience shaped the way you approach your work today?

Working with different stakeholders, candidates, and business requirements over the years has taught me that successful recruitment is not just about filling a position. It is about managing expectations, clear communication, and building trust. This experience has made me more structured, adaptable, and focused on finding solutions rather than simply completing tasks.

Building a Testing Center of Excellence

One of the defining experiences in Gaurav’s journey at Duncan & Ross has been his contribution to the Talent Acquisition effort behind the Testing Center of Excellence project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His work was recognised by Technology leadership for the commitment and strong processes that went into building the team.

For Gaurav, the experience reinforced the importance of clear communication, strong processes and alignment, bringing together the right people around a shared objective.

What did the experience of helping build D&R’s Testing Center of Excellence teach you?

D&R’s TCoE journey has been one of the best experiences I’ve had. It was the first time I had been part of something being built from the ground up. It taught me that having strong processes, clear communication, and working cohesively as one team are extremely important. It also taught me that having a clear process in place is not just about documentation, but about making sure the entire team is aligned with that process and its objectives.

From Recruiter to Talent Advisor

Working within a multidisciplinary business has also given Gaurav the opportunity to engage with different stakeholders and understand different perspectives, influencing how he approaches both talent and business needs.

How has your experience at Duncan & Ross influenced the way you approach your work and collaborate with others?

Duncan & Ross has helped me become more of a Talent Advisor rather than a conventional recruiter. It has also given me the opportunity to interact with different business stakeholders, which has helped me understand different perspectives.

Advice for Those Entering Talent Acquisition

For Gaurav, a career in Talent Acquisition requires more than an interest in recruitment. It calls for strong people skills, strategic thinking and the resilience to navigate challenges and setbacks.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in Talent Acquisition?

If you are someone who loves interacting with people, is interested in building strategies, has a resilient attitude, and knows how to handle setbacks, you are welcome to the world of Talent Acquisition.

From an early interest in technology to a career connecting people with opportunities, Gaurav’s journey reflects the role Talent Acquisition can play in bringing people, business needs and technology together. His contribution to the Testing Center of Excellence in Riyadh highlights how strong processes, collaboration and shared objectives can support teams in delivering complex technology programmes.