HR Engage Podcast

HR Engage Podcast with Matt McFarlane

• Jonathan Mamaril • Season 1 • Episode 17

From Psychology Graduate to Global HR Expert: The Unconventional Career Journey That Led to $50K+ Salary Savings 

Ever wondered how a farm kid with a psychology degree becomes a sought-after compensation consultant saving startups tens of thousands on salary costs? 🚀 

In this eye-opening conversation, Matt McFarlane shares his unconventional journey from struggling to land his first HR role to leading people operations across 70 countries for a 600-person tech company. But here's the twist - he walked away from corporate life to solve one of the most challenging puzzles in business: getting compensation right. 

🔥 What You'll Discover: 

  • The ONE piece of career advice that changed everything (and why Gen Z is getting it right)
  • How Australian IR experience gives you a massive advantage in global roles
  • The "title inflation" strategy that's controversial but works for startups
  • Why Matt thinks HR should own compensation decisions, not finance
  • The living wage philosophy that splits the HR community
  • Real examples of saving companies $25K+ with better salary data


💡 Career Game-Changers:
 

  • Why being "too idealistic" can damage your relationships and career progression
  • The team structure hack that eliminates reactive firefighting
  • How to have compensation conversations with ANY executive (they WILL listen)
  • The Richard Branson quote that became a career manifesto


âš¡ Controversial Takes: Matt doesn't hold back on hot topics like pay transparency laws, time tracking for HR teams, and why some companies should pay people the same salary regardless of performance. Whether you agree or disagree, these insights will make you think differently about modern HR practices.
 
Perfect for HR professionals, startup founders, career changers, and anyone curious about the intersection of people, culture, and business strategy.

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