Felipe Fagundes (AngloGold Ashanti): “Candidates with strong self-awareness tend to stand out in the hiring process”

Leaders League: What strategies should professionals adopt to land a promotion?
Felipe Fagundes: Practical experience and theoretical knowledge remain a potent combination. But I’ve noticed that professionals who embrace the ethos of doing the right thing have been more successful in earning promotions than those who see promotion as the ultimate goal. Additionally, being able to genuinely integrate peer areas in the development of systemic and sustainable solutions contributes to positive exposure, which can influence performance-evaluation processes (which are usually multidisciplinary) and, consequently, your chances of being promoted.

What are the specific characteristics of the mining sector that professionals should be aware of in terms of hard and soft skills that will help them achieve their career goals?
Being a team player, as clichéd as it might sound, has become an in-demand attribute to deal with the dynamic nature of this business. In terms of hard skills, beyond technical knowledge, professionals must understand business aspects related to risk management and ESG – especially safety, environment and communities. It’s no longer enough to know how to handle the ore; one must know how to manage it within a broader, integrated context and ecosystem. For soft skills, showing continuous improvement and demonstrating strong communication ability have become increasingly important to career advancement.

Securing an overseas position is seen by many as an essential step for those serious about climbing the corporate ladder at their company. What advice would you give an aspiring professional?
It sounds obvious in theory, but is not always put into practice: language proficiency – especially in English – cultural management and global positioning. Regarding English, we still hear staff say: “I know I need to improve my English, and I’m planning to take classes this year.” If you’re only now planning to return to class, you’re already a few years behind the competition.

Building genuine relationships with industry peers and key stakeholders increases the chances of catching a recruiter’s attention

What’s more, communication goes far beyond just being able to speak another language. Demonstrating cultural awareness is essential too, which includes the ability to adjust one’s approach when necessary and cultivate collaboration in international teams. And as for global positioning: what works well locally isn’t always the best solution globally.

What are the main challenges for recruiters in attracting and retaining talent in the mining sector?
There’s a growing trend of declining interest from younger generations in traditional industries – partly because of the nature of the business, but also because they don’t fully understand it. So, the main challenge in attracting talent is being able to present the mining industry properly to the market and debunk the idea that it’s outdated. Mining has evolved significantly in recent years and now offers attractive packages along with modern, socially relevant business challenges. As for retention, the key is clearly communicating the company’s strategy and purpose, so that talent can see how they connect to something greater. Also important are clear career paths and a psychologically safe, flexible environment.  

And how can candidates stand out to recruiters?
By ensuring that their profile/CV reflects a well-structured career path, showing each cycle with a clear beginning, middle and end. Networking remains crucial, so building and strengthening genuine relationships with industry peers and key stakeholders definitely increases the chances of catching a recruiter’s attention. Certifications are also valuable – not necessarily decisive for hiring, but they help boost your profile. During the hiring process’ interviews and interactions, I’ve noticed that candidates with strong self-awareness tend to stand out more – in other words, once again, behavioral aspects outweigh technical ones.