Told by a Few, Powered by All: Creative Force Vietnam's Recognition Story

When Creative Force made Vietnam's Best IT Companies list again this year, what was your initial reaction?

Hương: "I was moved and grateful. This achievement reflects the work of everyone, not just the TA Team, but the entire company. While TA plays a role in selecting the right people and inspiring them, it's the collective effort that makes it special."

Linh: "For me, it validates our long-term strategy: staying true to our values without chasing trends. I'm proud that Creative Force has consistently chosen honesty in our employer branding, and it's great to see the community recognize that."

What do you believe were the key factors behind receiving this honor two years running?

Hương: "Consistency between our words and actions stands out. Not just in messaging, but in what we actually do. It's easy for a company to create a beautiful careers page or run a polished employer branding campaign, but if the internal environment doesn't match that image, it falls apart. At Creative Force, our people know their voices are heard, their feedback matters, and their growth is genuinely prioritized.

What makes this place special is that care is real. Whether it's a career conversation with a manager, a Slack message celebrating small wins, or how we handle difficult moments, there's a genuine commitment to honesty and empathy. That's what creates a real culture."

Chi: "From an operational standpoint, one of the biggest contributors to this recognition is how we connect candidate experience with employee experience. At Creative Force, the hiring process isn't just a filter, it's the beginning of a relationship. We design every touchpoint, from the first message to the final offer, with respect, clarity, and care, so that by the time someone joins us, they already feel like they belong.

What's especially powerful is how consistent that experience remains after they become employees. The values we communicate during recruitment (transparency, trust, autonomy, and continuous growth) aren't just promises. They're what new hires actually experience in their teams. Many have told us that the onboarding felt like a natural extension of their candidate journey: familiar, human, and values-driven.

We also take time to follow up with new hires, gather feedback, and continuously refine our hiring practices based on real employee insights. This connection between recruitment and retention helps us build not just a great team, but a strong culture. When people experience this consistency firsthand, they become advocates, not because we ask them to, but because they want to."

Linh: "I think employer branding plays a significant role. And branding has never been about flashy visuals or buzzwords. It's about telling the truth well. Every story we share, whether it's an employee spotlight, a team culture video, or a behind-the-scenes look at our work, is authentic. We don't try to be perfect; we share our real voice.

One thing I heard from a new team member was: 'The company feels exactly like what I saw online.' That alignment between expectation and reality is powerful and rare. It builds trust, not just with candidates, but with employees too. When people recognize themselves in the brand, they feel like they belong and naturally become our strongest ambassadors."

What brings you joy in this job beyond the results and numbers?

Linh: "What I love most is that we get to tell stories about people, with people, for people. Every campaign and piece of content shows who we are as a company. I enjoy the creative freedom, but even more, I enjoy how meaningful this work is."

Chi: "For me, it's the small wins, like when a candidate says, 'I've never had such a thoughtful interview process,' or when a team member proudly shares the company's achievements on social media. That kind of feedback keeps us going."

Hương: "What brings me joy is seeing growth, not just in metrics, but in people. Watching Chi become more confident in handling senior hires, or seeing Linh turn a raw story into a powerful brand message. That's my kind of success."

Tell us about your team dynamic. How do you connect outside of work?

Hương: "We're a small team, but very in sync. Our brainstorming sessions feel more like creative jams than meetings. And we try to keep that energy going outside of work too."

Linh: "We recently started a little tradition we call 'TA Unplugged.' It's our way of stepping outside the usual workflow to reconnect as people, not just teammates. Sometimes it means visiting Hương's son, Cebu, other times it's a slow morning over coffee. We even bring our notebooks along; not for work, but to doodle, sketch ideas, or jot down random thoughts."

Chi: "Sometimes, when we're feeling playful, and maybe a little desperate, we even head to the pagoda together to light some incense and pray for the 'right candidate' to show up. It's a running joke in the team, but also a quirky ritual that brings us closer. It reminds us that while we're data-driven and strategic, we're also human, and a bit of good luck never hurts in recruitment! 😁"