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Roberto Catapano

Senior EMEA & US Recruiter | Entrepreneur

Kroll

Roberto Catapano, Senior EMEA & US Recruiter and Entrepreneur at Kroll, is driven by a passion for connecting people with the right opportunities and helping companies grow through smart hiring decisions. With a career built on adaptability, empathy, and integrity, he combines global experience across Europe, the Middle East, and the US with a strong belief in quality over quantity. In this interview, Roberto shares how his early lessons in discipline shaped his work ethic, his views on AI’s role in recruitment, and his ongoing mission to make hiring more human and impactful.

1. What inspired you to pursue your current career path?

   I’ve always wanted to bring real value to both sides of the hiring process - helping companies grow through better people decisions, and helping individuals connect with the right opportunities. Recruiting allows me to do both: create impact for businesses while changing lives one placement at a time.

2. What lesson from your first job still guides you today?

   My first job was tough, but it taught me discipline. I learned to respect deadlines, push through pressure, and never stop until the goal is reached. That experience shaped my work ethic - resilience, urgency, and focus on results have stayed with me ever since.

3. How do you define success in your current position?

   For me, success means quality over quantity. It’s not just about filling roles, but ensuring every hire adds value to the team. I recruit across Europe, the Middle East, and the US - so flexibility, cultural awareness, and collaboration with regional managers are key to delivering great outcomes globally.

4. Which skills have been most valuable to your success?

   Adaptability, perseverance, and empathy. I’ve learned to listen - really listen - to clients and candidates, understand their needs, and take action fast. Every environment is different, so being curious, resilient, and goal-oriented helps me thrive and deliver consistent results.

5. What trends are shaping your industry right now?

   Our profession is evolving fast. AI and automation are changing how we interview, write emails, and screen candidates - from pre-recorded interviews to smarter matching systems. But technology will never replace the human touch; it will just redefine how we use it to build trust and connection. This will be the real added value and game changer in the future.

6. What values guide your decision-making at work?

   Professionalism, integrity, and teamwork. I believe in being fair, transparent, and collaborative - even when different interests are on the table. Sometimes leadership means finding the right compromise to move everyone forward.

7. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

   I’m proud of having worked with large, international organizations and built relationships across diverse cultures and markets. My role has allowed me to travel and connect with people around the world. Beyond that, I’ve also started my own company - a project born from curiosity and the desire to innovate, to do things differently from how most people would.

8. How do you hope to make an impact in the future?

   I hope my work continues to create a positive ripple effect - connecting people with the right opportunities and helping companies grow through great talent. Whether through the organizations I work for or the ones I build, I want to make a meaningful impact on how people experience work.