Recruiting Future with Matt Alder - What's Next For Talent Acquisition, HR & Hiring?

The potential impact of AI on Talent Acquisition is 2023's biggest talking point, but what impact will these new technologies have on relationship-driven hiring at the top of organizations? Will AI disrupt executive search or just provide a better toolset? At the same time, how are the next generation of leaders thinking about their careers as we move further into an AI-driven future? My guest this week is Bill Hogenauer, a Partner at JM Search. Bill specializes in placing C-Level Technology executives, and it was great to get his insights into the current state and likely future direction of Executive Search. In the interview, we discuss: The current market for tech talent How market conditions are fueling innovation How has Executive Search evolved since the pandemic? The importance of hyperspecialization Using technology to develop relationships Partnerships, not transactions The impact of AI Automating and streamlining How do you identify value creation and impact potential? How is the next generation of leaders approaching their careers What will the balance between humans and machines look like in recruiting Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episode mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 527: Culture As A Hiring Differentiator Ep 528: Social Mobility Via Talent Engagement Ep 529: Developing Digital Skills Ep 530: Workforce Resilience Ep 531: Kindness, Data & The Candidate Experience Ep 532: Data-Driven Talent Acquisition Ep 533: Engaging With Top Talent Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

Despite months of layoffs and challenging economic news, engaging with top talent is still very hard. It's even harder if you are hiring for an employer with very little profile or brand awareness in your target talent markets. So what strategies are employers using to engage with top talent, and what lessons can large enterprises learn from small and agile start-ups when it comes to storytelling and the effective use of tech stacks? My guest this week is George Morriss, Head of Talent Acquisition at Lindus Health. George has vast experience in building hiring strategies for high-growth start-ups and has practical advice to share on how TA Leaders should respond to the disruption we see in the market. In the interview, we discuss: Market recalibration Why engaging with top talent is still so difficult Recruiting with no employer brand Consistency of storytelling The balance between resonance and hyperbole Transparency in the hiring process Candidate experience as a point of difference How to deal with an overwhelming choice of technology Building a tech stack with tools to solve specific challenges Interview training Minimizing the administrative burden on recruiters Lessons from start-ups How should TA leaders prepare themselves for the future? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

Employers have never had so much data to inform, innovate and optimize their talent strategies. However, understanding and extracting value from this data is something many organizations are still struggling with. So how should employers be thinking about data, implementing data-driven talent strategies, and planning for a future of data-based decision-making? My guest this week is Grant Telfer, Business Development Director at Textkernel. Textkernel has long specialized in bringing machine learning, AI, and data-driven intelligence to talent acquisition, and Grant has some great advice, use cases, and future insights to share. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of talent markets Magnified skill shortages Extracting value from data What are the most important data sets employers have access to Skills taxonomies and internal mobility Upskilling and succession planning Data & APIs The dangers of not using data to its full potential The role of AI Example use cases and outcomes What does the future look like, and how should we plan for it This episode is supported by Textkernel: Textkernel is a global leader in AI-powered recruitment solutions, delivering multilingual parsing, semantic search and match, and labor market intelligence solutions to over 2,500 corporate and staffing organizations worldwide. Our innovative technologies help companies better connect people and jobs. See how you can connect people and jobs better, request a demo: https://hubs.ly/Q01VLGr40 Visit our website to learn more about our solutions: https://hubs.ly/Q01VLFnW0 Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

Many aspects of recruiting have changed significantly over the last two decades, with technology continuing to drive rapid leaps forward in innovation and efficiency. The candidate experience continues to be a conundrum, however, as it hasn't improved or developed at the same pace as other areas of talent acquisition. So why is this, and how can new and compelling business cases be made to drive a better candidate experience? My guest this week is Amy Oviedo, Founder and CEO of Recruiting Experiences. Recruiting Experiences provides fractional recruiting support to employers and training for talent acquisition professionals. Amy is a passionate advocate for the candidate experience and the importance of kindness in the recruiting process. In the interview, we discuss: Candidate experience as the backbone of effective recruiting Recruiting fundamentals and the importance of focusing on process Automation and simplification AI and the future of candidate experience Kindness in the context of recruiting Building business cases The perfect mix between people and technology Why a high volume of applications isn't an excuse for a poor candidate experience What skills with talent acquisition professionals need in the future Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Despite the current economic issues, many businesses face a talent crisis. Skill shortages are part of the picture, but perhaps most worrying for business leaders are low levels of engagement and retention as expectations of the employment experience continue to evolve rapidly. So what can employers do to build workforce resilience and get the competitive talent advantage essential to drive long-term value? My guest this week is Tammy Browning, President at KellyOCG. KellyOCG has recently published a comprehensive piece of research looking at workforce resilience. In our conversation, Tammy shares the findings and talks us through the three strategic pillars that are helping employers to build a resilient workforce. In the interview, we discuss: The methodology behind the report Low levels of employee engagement and severe retention issues Have things gone backwards since the pandemic? A lack of action on DE&I Mental health, career pathways, and purpose Aligning talent acquisition, talent sustainability, and organizational resilience Do leaders understand the issues? The critical elements of workforce resilience Purpose and capability The impact of AI What will the future look like? Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The tech sector has been going through an unprecedented period of layoffs in the last few months. However, the demand for digital skills in the wider market will continue for years. So what strategies are employers putting in place to ensure they have the skills they need for their businesses in the future? My guest this week is Alexia Pedersen, VP of EMEA at O'Reilly Media. O'Reilly has been helping businesses develop digital skills for over 40 years, and Lex has insights and advice for employers looking to gain a competitive advantage through skills acquisition and development. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of the tech talent market Will digital skills shortages continue for the long term? The constant demand for new skills How employers are investing in their future Understanding the internal skills gap Reskilling and upskilling Creating a culture of learning that serves different learning styles Breaking down silos in HR to enable talent mobility Implications of generaive AI How will the most successful companies of the next ten years think about talent? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

It's very encouraging that an increasing number of employers are committing to play their part in improving social mobility. It is becoming clear, though, that transactional and short term attempts at talent engagement do not yield the results needed for employers or the communities they seek to engage. So what can employers learn from nonprofits that achieve positive outcomes that do improve social mobility? My guest this week is Irene Shih, CEO of Minds Matter Bay Area. This education nonprofit connects driven and determined students from low-income families with the people, preparation, and possibilities to succeed in college. Minds Matter Bay Area has been incredibly successful with its mission, and Irene has some critical learnings to share that employers focusing on social mobility will find extremely valuable. In the interview, we discuss: What is college undermatching, and why is it important to solve it The importance of networks What are the most significant barriers to top college entrance for low-income students? Economic connectedness and cross-class friendships What are the interventions that lift people out of poverty? Positive outcomes Trust and relationships The importance of long-term talent engagement and why transactional approaches don't work. Advice to employers on improving social mobility Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

The employee/employer relationship is changing; employee engagement is at an all-time low, and countless research studies tell us that a significant proportion of the workforce is considering quitting their jobs. At the same time, despite the economic backdrop, many companies are struggling to get the talent they need due to significant skill shortages in some areas. So how can employers differentiate themselves and secure and retain the talent they need? A positive work culture has never been more critical and is a strong differentiator for employers focusing on building one. My guest this week is Lori Knowles, Chief Human Resources Officer at Memorial Hermann Health System. Memorial Hermann has had some spectacular hiring and retention outcomes in a highly challenging talent market by focusing on their culture. In our discussion, Lori talks us through the five levers they use to drive culture and the results they are getting. In the interview, we discuss: The current talent challenges in the healthcare sector How does workforce flexibility work in healthcare Being strategic with just-in-time staffing The changing employer/employee relationship Employee experience and the moments that matter Culture, community and mission The five levers that drive culture Results and impact on hiring and retention The role of technology and AI The vision for the future. Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episodes mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 518: Talking About The Future Ep 519: Recruiterless Recruiting Ep 520: Human Storytelling Ep 521: Rebuilding Employer Brands Ep 522: Neuroinclusion Ep 523: Overcoming Remote Challenges Ep 524: Keeping The Needle Moving On DE&I Ep 525: Using AI As A Co-Pilot Ep 526: Building The Business Case For TA Technology Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

Effective technology is a critical pillar of any TA strategy, and with the current unprecedented pace of innovation, regularly reviewing the tech stack is essential to success. However, securing a budget for new technologies can be difficult with the challenging economic backdrop. So what can TA Leaders do to ensure they make a compelling case for investment? My guest this week is Jeff Lackey, Founder of JKL Advisors, Former VP of Talent Acquisition at CVS Health, and former Global Head of Resourcing at Rolls-Royce. Jeff has unmatched experience in developing TA Tech Stacks and has some invaluable advice to share on building successful business cases for investment. In the interview, we discuss: Framework for bringing in TA technology Understanding how TA creates value for the organization Finding budget within the broader organization Creating an agile space to experiment Aligning tech stacks Avoiding long technology implementations How do you get leadership buy in? Developing business cases Leveraging EVPs Mapping talent challenges to specific business objectives Advice for TA leaders on dealing with the current market Quality candidate experience How will TA evolve over the next few years? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The vast amount of hype, speculation, opinion, and hyperbole around generative AI can make it difficult to know how to start integrating it into the talent acquisition workflow. The long-term implications of AI for talent acquisition are profound, and it is essential for TA teams to get fully up to speed with current capabilities and use cases. So how can AI become talent acquisition's co-pilot, and where is the best place to start? My guest this week is Siadhal Magos, Co-Founder and CEO at Metaview. I'm getting tremendous insight into AI's potential by talking to super smart vendors who are baking generative AI into their product sets. Metaview is a perfect example of such a vendor. In our conversation, Siadhal shares his experiences on how AI can save vast amounts of time and resources in the interview process. In the interview, we discuss: Current market challenges How should employers react to the AI revolution? Turbocharging productivity The top-down drive for efficiency How will AI transform TA? Detection and pattern recognition Making sense of unstructured data in the hiring process How is the interview changing Building more transparency into the recruiting process The importance of specialist tools The future of AI Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Many employers have been publically committing to making DE&I their most important focus for several years now. However, as the economy becomes more challenging and some companies roll back from flexible working, is the needle still moving on diversity, and is it still the business priority that we were promised it would be? My guest this week is Michael Barrington-Hibbert, CEO of Barrington-Hibbert Associates and Co-Founder of 10,000 black interns. Michael is an active influencer in driving better diversity and inclusion within the finance sector and instilling a belief in the importance of social mobility. He has essential advice on how employers can keep diversity front and centre by closely aligning DE&I strategies to critical business goals. In the interview, we discuss: Talent market challenges Wage inflation and overhiring. How the pandemic diversified the workforce The relationship between flexibility and diversity Advice to employers on how not the lose the progress they have made as the market changes Diversity of thought and creativity Reducing bias in recruiting The role of technology The importance of brave organizations Aligning DE&I with business strategies What will the future look like? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

Elon Musk, David Soloman, and Sam Altman are three CEOs who have recently publicly spoken out against remote and hybrid work. Problems with communication, productivity, skills transfer, and culture are some of the most common issues cited but does dragging people back to the office really make these things better? The advantages of hybrid and remote work are considerable, and there are undoubtedly other ways of addressing their challenges than ordering a mandatory return to the office. My guest this week is Jen Fong, VP of People at Customer.io. Customer.io is a fully remote business with employees in 30 countries, and Jen offers some great insights on embracing the advantages of remote while dealing with its challenges. In the interview, we discuss: Current talent market challenges Why remote work is so vital to Customer io Innovation and global talent pools Autonomy and trust Dealing with the challenges of remote work How do you build community and connection? The importance of tools Being intentional about meeting in person Creating opportunities for people to connect socially Building a people-first culture that aligns with company goals Ensuring you have the right skills for the future with strategic workforce planning Attracting diverse skillsets The impact of AI on skills development and recruiting Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

According to recent estimates, between 15 and 20 percent of the world's population is neurodivergent. Although our understanding of the brain has taken some massive leaps forward, a large proportion of neurodivergent people do not have a formal diagnosis. The advantages for employers with neuroinclusive cultures are significant. Not only do they open important pools of talent, but they are also recognising that everyone's brain is different. This can enable a substantial increase in collaboration, innovation and productivity. My guest this week is Ed Thompson, Founder and CEO of Uptimize and author of the new book "A Hidden Force: Unlocking the Potential of Neurodiversity at Work". Ed has a vast amount of knowledge and experience to share on how to increase neuroinclusion. In the interview, we discuss: Different brains Belonging, collaboration, and innovation Common misconceptions The dangers of ignoring neurodiversity Boulders in the road; building an inclusive recruiting process Culture change Challenging the norm The future for neuroinclusion Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

There is a strong argument that Employer Branding has never been more relevant or important. The last few months have seen many employers making layoffs as they respond to market conditions and some sense of normalization after the pandemic. It's fair to say that some employers and potentially whole industries have suffered severe reputational damage because of this. So how can companies rebuild their reputations as employers? This is not only important from a talent acquisition perspective; it is a vital part of retaining the talent they already have. My guest this week is Emily Firth, Founder and Partner at The Truth Works. Emily is an Employer Brand and Employee Engagement expert, and it was great to get her view on how employers can rebuild and manage their reputations in the current market landscape. In the interview, we discuss: The post-pandemic state of Employer Branding Lack of delineation between internal and external communications Transparency and control Moving away from a hyper-curated narrative Foundations and frameworks Rebuilding reputations Influencing and education leadership Generative AI and the future of employer branding Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

Storytelling is one of the things that makes humans human. In recruitment marketing and employer branding, stories persuade, create empathy and drive the emotional connections that make people take action. With the rise of automation and generative AI, human-based storytelling will likely be a critical differentiator between employers. So do we understand how to tell compelling stories, and are our strategies around storytelling sophisticated enough to deal with a future of more disruptive change? My guest this week is Lauryn Sargent, Co-Founder of Stories Incorporated and an expert in storytelling for recruitment marketing and employer branding. I caught up with Lauryn at the recent UNLEASH America conference to hear her thoughts on the future of storytelling and listen to the great advice she had to share. In the interview, we discuss: Does TA understand storytelling on a strategic level? What are the elements of a great story? Psychological safety Structuring the perfect story interview Making content work in different channels and formats The impact of generative AI The future of recruitment marketing Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

I recently hosted a webinar on the future of talent acquisition and asked the audience to consider this question. Will there ever be as many recruiters again as there were in August 2022? The arrival of universally available generative AI and a harsh economic climate has caused the perfect storm in our industry. But how much long-term disruption of talent acquisition and potential elimination of recruiting roles could there be? My guest this week is Allyn Bailey, a highly experienced talent acquisition leader who previously held a global role at Intel and is now Executive Director of Hiring Success at SmartRecruiters. A couple of weeks ago, Allyn put out a challenge on LinkedIn that she was prepared to debate her belief that a major organization would move to recruiterless recruiting within the next 18 months. Because I consider her one of the most innovative thinkers in the industry, I took the opportunity at the recent UNLEASH America event to learn more about her hypnosis. I also got her thoughts on the future structure of talent acquisition teams and her advice around reskilling and retraining for those at risk of being displaced. In the interview, we discuss: Fungibility and flexibility of technology Can you build a future-proof tech stack? Is it possible to implement a relationship-based recruiting strategy in a world of management by transactional metrics? Can AI be more human than humans? Can technology now address every step in the TA process? Will we see recruiterless recruiting within 18 months? The nuances of the hypothesis The TA team of the future TA Ops, system and experience design Will candidates push back? Legislation and regulation Reskilling and retraining. Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts. A full transcript will appear here shortly.

At the beginning of May, I attended UNLEASH America as a podcaster and panel host. It was UNLEASH's biggest event to date in the US, and the content and conversations were excellent. As you can imagine, the implications of Generative AI dominated the discussion. From talking to a range of practitioners, vendors, and thought leaders, it was clear that everyone agrees that Talent Acquisition will be changed quickly and forever by new technology. However, it is not just technology that is driving change; aside from the obvious economic issues, many employers are rethinking their whole approach to talent, and this was reflected in several conversations I had about the blurring lines between talent acquisition and talent management. Next week I'll be publishing some long-form interviews I recorded at the event, but in the meantime, here is a series of short conversations that capture the essence of the discussion at the show. Appearing in this episode: John Vlastelica, the CEO of Recruiting Toolbox Sarah White, the Founder of Aspect 43 Mervyn Dinnen, HR Analyst and my co-author on "Digital Talent." Crissy McConnell, Internal Recruiting Lead at Guild. Topics discussed include: Thinking holistically about talent Breaking down the silos between Talent Acquisition and Talent Management The impact of Generative AI The market for recruiting technology Legislation and legal confusion around AI Psychological Safety and ERGs The future of jobs and the end of everything Candidate and consumer attitudes to AI Regenerating talent to open opportunity Surfacing internal talent Total experience The future of talent acquisition Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episodes mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 510: Candidate Experience 2023 Ep 511: How To Be A Global Employer Of Choice Ep 512: Being More Agile Ep 513: Building Connection In A Hybrid World Ep 514: Build, Maintain & Leverage Your Network Ep 515: AI And The Future Of Talent Acquisition Ep 516: The Changing Workforce Ep 517: Aligning Benefits To Values Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

For many companies, remote and hybrid working has spotlighted compensation and benefits strategies. How do you determine pay levels for the same job across different national and international geographies, and how can you use benefits as a talent magnet when some traditional location-based benefits are no longer as relevant? My guest this week is Anitra St. Hilaire, VP of People at Threeflow. Anitra has considerable experience in this area and shares some very innovative thinking in our conversation. In the interview, we discuss: What are the most significant talent challenges employers are facing Listening to and understanding people's stories Building culture nationally and internationally How do you handle compensation strategically across state and country boundaries? How can employers use benefits as magnets for talent? Aligning benefits with company values Understanding the needs of your employee population Responsible transparency What are the implications of AI for HR? What will the future of work look like? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The balance of the workforce is changing. Remote working, talent scarcity and evolving attitudes to jobs and careers are driving the increasing use of contractors, freelancers and fractional workers. However, the practicalities of managing this changing workforce are significant, including everything from building a culture to ensuring everyone gets paid on time. So how should employers approach this, what role can technology play, and how can they turn the challenges into opportunities? My guest this week is Richard Prime, Co-Founder and CEO of Sonovate. Richard has some fascinating insights to share on the state of the market and how fintech innovations are creating opportunities for employers and staffing agencies in our new world of work. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of the market The rise of contractors, freelancers, and fractional workers Accessing global talent pools The challenges of an evolving workforce What are the most innovative businesses doing? Building a culture that is inclusive of temporary and contract workers How complicated is it to make sure everyone gets paid The growing demand for early wage access Innovative financial benefits to attract talent What opportunities does Fintech innovation open up for recruiting and talent acquisition? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The public launch of ChatGPT continues to drive enormous levels of hype about the impact of AI on life, the universe and everything. So what are the implications of generative AI on talent acquisition, how will it shape the development of recruiting technology, and what will candidates think of the changing balance between humans and machines in recruiting? My guest this week is the perfect person to give us some answers. Adam Godson is Chief Product Officer at Paradox, and his unique combination of experience in the industry means he has a deep understanding of the potential of AI and the likely future direction of talent acquisition. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of the market The difference between Generative AI and Conversational AI What changes will generative AI drive in recruiting technology? Why is there a rush of Large Language Models coming to the market at the same time? Decisions, Communication, and Automation Enriching interactive conversations Time reduction What is the art of the possible with personalization? The implications of "quick apply" on employer brand communication Polarising messages Calibration by the candidate reaction to AI What will the next two years look like, and where is technology heading next Listen to this episode in Apple Podcasts.

Talent Acquisition is changing, work is changing, and careers are changing. It has perhaps never been more critical to build and cultivate a professional network. As an industry that spends most of its collective working day on LinkedIn, we like to think that we do this well. But do we really understand how to build, maintain and leverage our networks in these disruptive times? My guest this week is Michael Melcher, an executive coach, leadership expert, and author of a new book called "Your Invisible Network". In our conversation, we discuss how networks are changing and the networking skills needed to transform careers. In the interview, we discuss: Being more aware of the network around you Building deeper, more powerful relationships How a whole generation has had no meaningful face-to-face connections at work The power of small, consistent action Seven types of relationships Minute 32 and the unpredictable nature of conversations Being more human The difference between a specific and a general ask How will networking develop in the future, and what skills will we need to learn Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

One of the biggest challenges of remote and hybrid working is the lack of face-to-face connection that humans need to be fully engaged and productive. This is always one of the main arguments for employers attempting to return their workers to the office. However, the advantages of remote and hybrid working are considerable, and forcing people to work five days a week back in an office isn't necessarily the best way of dealing with the challenges. So what can employers do to foster a sense of connection, belonging, and engagement and provide the scaffolding for high-performing teams? My guest this week is Sophie Bailey, Co-Founder and CEO of Worktripp. Worktripp is an Airbnb for business offsites, and Sophie has some hugely valuable insights to share on supercharging connection, creativity, and culture. In the interview, we discuss: The importance of face-to-face connection The consequences and cost of disengagement Why returning to the office isn't the answer Bringing people together in a memorable way Offsites to increase retention and drive creative ideation Which companies do this well, and how do they do it The importance of environment Designing an effective offsite and why you shouldn't start with logistics Long term planning to develop connection What does the future of work look like? Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

As we move through 2023, the pace of disruption continues to intensify. The complexities and implications of the economic and technological landscapes are overwhelming. It is increasingly difficult to break out of short-term thinking and make the long-term strategic decisions that are now needed. Over the last few years, the word agile has been somewhat overused, but does it hold the key to unlocking the future potential of talent acquisition? My guest this week is Joshua Kerievsky, Founder and CEO of Industrial Logic and author of a new book called "The Joy of Agile". In our conversation, Joshua revisits the original definition of agile and shares six mantras to help all TA leaders during these challenging times. In the interview, we discuss: The dictionary definition of agile Working with quick, easy grace Examples of agile at work How to be more agile Being adaptable and resourceful Be quick but don't hurry. The importance of balance and driving out fear Start minimal and evolve. Adaptability The new future of work Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

It's now three years since the pandemic changed many people's work trajectories. While some companies have returned to the office and others are desperately trying to, remote and hybrid work continue to be the norm for many organizations. So putting aside noisy narratives and vested interests trying to take us back to the pre-pandemic status quote, what are the actual benefits and challenges of a distributed workforce? Also, with the opening of global talent pools, what can employers do to position themselves as an employer of choice in 2023? My guest this week is Sarah Fern, Chief People Officer a Velocity Global. Velocity Global has employers working remotely across six timezones and 27 countries, and Sarah has some valuable insights to share on the benefits and challenges of being a distributed employer. In the interview, we discuss: The benefits remote work offer to employers Opening up access to the best global talent Why presentism doesn't drive high-performing work The genuine challenges of a distributed workforce Loneliness, disconnection, productivity, and burnout Turning challenges into opportunities How to stand out as a global employer of choice Crafting meaningful benefit packages for remote workers Rethinking recruitment marketing Building culture remotely What is the new future of work? Listen to this episode in Apple Podcasts

Over the last decade or so, we've finally realized that the candidate experience isn't a one-off project; it is an ever evolving theme that runs through talent acquisition. Strategy, measurement, and continuous improvement are crucial. So what is the current state of the candidate experience worldwide, and what are the post-pandemic trends? I'm delighted to welcome Kevin Grossman back to the podcast as my guest this week. Kevin is the President of The Talent Board, the organizers of the Candidate Experience Awards, and ongoing global benchmark research into the candidate experience. He has a massive amount of data-based insight to share on how the candidate experience continues to evolve. In the interview, we discuss: The current trends in candidate experience Rising resentment Communication and feedback What is best practice? Examples of employers offering a great candidate experience Why more employers are giving feedback to finalists A fair interview process Internal mobility and retention The importance of pre-boarding Sustaining a quality experience over time Will AI improve the candidate experience in the future? Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episodes mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 502: Digital Talent One Year On Ep 503: Climate Jobs Ep 504: The Future Of Video Interviewing Ep 505: Accelerating Change Ep 506: Changing Expectations Of Work Ep 507: Skills Based Hiring In Early Careers Ep 508: Scaling Up With Video Interviewing Ep 509: Making Employer Branding Indispensable Register for "The Road Ahead: Navigating the Future of Talent Acquisition" webinar Get your discounted ticket to UNLEASH America Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

Employer branding is under pressure in many organizations at the moment, and layoffs and budget cuts are hitting the function hard. However, anyone with even the most basic understanding of employer and talent branding can see how short-sighted this is and how vital building an employer brand is for a company's long-term future. So how can we highlight the importance of employer branding and make employers see it as an essential function? My guest this week is Alex Her, Head of Employer Branding at GoDaddy and a global advocate for its importance. Alex has some excellent advice on illustrating impact and ROI and some interesting insights into the future. In the interview, we discuss: Current challenges and why employer branding is even more important now The offboarding experience Demonstrating strategic value and ROI What are the most powerful metrics? Storytelling Chat GPT, AI, and technology Doing the work What does the future of employer branding look like If you want to hear more from Alex, he is speaking at RecFest USA, which is taking place on the 13th & 14th of September in Nashville. Take it from me as someone who has been to RecFest many times; it is a unique and hugely valuable experience. You can find out more here and as a Recruiting Future listener, you can get 50% off the ticket price by using the promo code Recruitingfuture23 Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Earlier in the month, in Episode 504, we looked at the evolution of asynchronous video interviewing and the change in candidate attitudes towards it since the pandemic. In this episode, I wanted to dive deeper and find out how it is working in practice. What are the benefits and drawbacks, and how do talent acquisition teams wish to see it develop? My guests this week are both from Hello Fresh. Maximiliano Trujillo Diaz is a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, and Mubeen Shariff is Senior Manager Workforce Staffing. Hello Fresh has been successfully using video interviews for specialist and high-volume roles, and my guests have vast knowledge and experience to share. In the interview, we discuss: Scaling up and talent scarcity The challenges of high-volume recruiting Increasing placements and reducing time to hire Improving the candidate experience Simplicity and speed Limitations and drawbacks Does video work for all levels of candidates? How should video interviewing develop in the future? Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

We live in rapidly changing times, and it is increasingly difficult for employers to anticipate how the roles in their business will develop. An ageing workforce is a further complicated factor. The growing consensus is that a skills-based approach to early careers recruiting could give employers the flexibility they need to plan for an uncertain future. But how does skills-based hiring work in early careers, and how should employers develop their strategies in this area? My guest this week is Matt Kirk, Solution Owner - Talent Acquisition at SHL. Matt has a big focus on early careers and has some incredibly valuable insights to share based on SHL's pioneering work on skills, competencies, and behaviors. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of college recruiting globally The impact of the cost of living crisis Are graduates the answer to the problem of ageing workforces? The growing interest in soft skills Using a single talent language 11 skills that predict success in graduate hiring Building data to facilitate internal mobility and skills development How skills differ between countries and industries Offering an appropriate candidate experience Communication and feedback What does the future of early careers look like? Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

As we move through the third anniversary of the first lockdowns, it is a good time to reflect on how the pandemic has changed our attitudes and expectations towards work. Employers now have to think very differently about culture, employee experience, and recruiting. The new generation joining the workforce is also driving some very different thinking around career progression. My guest this week is Abby Hamilton, Chief People Officer at LiveIntent. Abby has valuable insights about the importance of creating a human-centric approach to work where employees feel seen, heard, and recognized. In the interview, we discuss: Current talent market challenges How tech layoffs are creating opportunities The legacy of the pandemic Culture, Employee Experience, and Recruiting Wellbeing Changing career expectations from changing generations Video gaming and careers progression The role of technology Asynchronous communication The future of employee experience Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

I always knew that the pace of change would accelerate this year, but it's only March, and we've seen thousands of tech layoffs, bank failures, and the launch of ChatGPT and now ChatGPT 4. Meanwhile, businesses worldwide are still struggling to get the talent they need. The implications for Talent Acquisition of this pace of change and technological development are profound, and at the moment, it doesn't even feel that there is time to take a step back and understand them. So what does this all mean, and how should TA leaders adapt and plan for such a dynamic future? What better time to invite my favourite futurist back to show to attempt to get some answers. Kevin Wheeler is the founder of The Future Of Talent Institute and one of the great deep thinkers in our industry. In our conversation, Kevin looks back into the past to give us clues about the future and offers invaluable advice on what we should focus on. In the interview, we discuss: Kevin's take on the current market Talent hoarding and over-hiring The 1920s versus the 2020s Staying skilled and aware How will AI impact TA in the short and medium term? Augmentation, automation, and replacement A structural shift in how organizations see talent Internal upskilling and reskilling Thinking broadly, holistically, and globally What should TA be focusing on The demographic and education time bomb What skills do the TA Leaders of the future need? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

In 2013, I wrote a report on the future of asynchronous video interviewing; while a few employers were experimenting with it, there was widespread skepticism about its usefulness and longevity. Fast forward ten years, and we are literally living in a different world. Post-pandemic video now sits at the centre of the working day for many of us, and asynchronous video interviewing is most certainly here to stay. So how are candidate attitudes towards video evolving, what problems is video interviewing solving for employers, and how will things develop in the future? My guests this week are the perfect people to answer these questions and give us a deep dive into the market. Phil Strazzulla is the Founder of Select Software Reviews, and Euan Cameron is the CEO at Willo. Keep listening for a mix of practical advice and informed insights about the future of video interviewing. In the interview, we discuss: How video interview has developed since the pandemic Evolving attitudes to video Is a video interview now an expectation for candidates? Removing interview friction Point solution or platform? The case for asynchronous DE&I Improving hiring outcomes Will the resume ever die? How does AI fit into the future of video interviewing? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The climate emergency is the greatest challenge humans have ever faced, and it affects all of us. In August of last year, as part of The Inflation Reduction Act, the US federal government pledged $365 Billion to fight climate change. Since then, over 100,000 climate jobs have already been created in the US economy. Despite the seriousness of the situation and the obvious relevance to our sector, climate jobs and the climate emergency don't seem to be things we are discussing. This needs to change. My guest this week is Natalie Lavery, Marketing Lead at Climate People, a Climate Tech recruiting firm. Climate People are fighting to make every job a climate job. It was brilliant to get Natalie's insight into a critically important market that is full of opportunity. In the interview, we discuss: The reimagining of the global economy What is Climate Tech, and what are Climate Jobs? Is Climate Tech the future of all jobs Barriers to jobseekers taking climate jobs and how to break them down Awareness, mindset, and incentives The importance of diverse talent and diverse voices What can we all do to make our jobs climate jobs? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

Digital Talent, the second book co-authored by Mervyn Dinnen and myself, came out a year ago this month. We've been blown away by the response to the book and want to thank everyone who has bought, read and shared it. Twelve months is a long time in our industry at the moment, so I sat down with Mervyn to discuss the book's key themes and how things have developed over the last year. We recorded the conversation in a proper studio, so there is also a video version of this podcast (link in the show notes), which is worth watching just to take in the full glory of Mervyn's shirt. Enjoy the conversation In our conversation, we discuss: The acceleration of Digital Transformation The ongoing disruption of Talent Acquisition Redefining talent Results versus noise in DE&I Taking a more strategic approach to hiring Talent Experience Talent Mobility Skills AI & Personalization The new future of work Another book? The video version of this episode Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episodes mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 493: The Growing Value Of TA Operations Ep 494: Confidence and Resilience Ep 495: Results Not Noise Ep 496: Challenging A Narrow Definition Of Talent Ep 497: Rethinking Recruiting To Break Down Silos Ep 498: The Early Careers Labour Market Ep 499: Strategic Talent Acquisition Ep 500: Ask Me Anything Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcast

The rise of remote working and the widespread adoption of technology has made it much easier for all sizes of employers to tap into global pools of talent. The urban population of the African continent is projected to reach 1.1 billion people by 2040, making it the largest global workforce. With an ever more diverse base of skills across 54 countries, it's not surprising that outsourcing to Africa is on the rise. So what can employers do to tap into this enormous talent pool? My guest this week is Valerie Bowden, founder, and CEO of CRDLE. Valerie spent years traveling and working in Africa and now helps US and European businesses connect to talent in the world's second-largest continent. In the interview, we discuss: Tapping into global talent pools Why Africa? Language and timezones Types of skills Interns The social impact of outsourcing Are you already using African talent? Advice for effective outsourcing The importance of onboarding and training The future of remote teams Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts. A full transcript will appear shortly.

In October 2008, I started writing a blog called Recruiting Future, and over the next seven years, I regularly documented the changes that were happening in talent acquisition. As part of my blog, I started publishing interviews with industry practitioners, sometimes as videos but often as audio files embedded in my blog posts. I called these "Recruiting Future Expert Interviews". I soon realised that I had found something I absolutely loved doing and looked for ways of going all in and making this a bigger part of my work. The growth of podcasting gave me the opportunity I was looking for. On the 10th of January 2015, I published Episode One of The Recruiting Future Podcast. It was far more challenging to make than I expected, and the sound quality left a lot to be desired, but I didn't care. I was all in and would focus on building a resource to help talent acquisition make sense of the radical transformations ahead. Eight years and 499 episodes later, here we are. I'm still blown away by everything the podcast has achieved. None of it would be possible without the fantastic people I get to interview, the brilliant, supportive sponsors, and all of you who listen and spread the word about the show. For the 500th episode, I thought I would do an Ask Me Anything episode as something a bit different. Thanks to everyone who submitted a question, and I'm sorry that I couldn't include them all; what follows is a representative sample of the kind of topics people were asking about This episode features questions from: Jessica Adams Matthias Schmeißer Mervyn Dinnen Sara Dalsfelt Victoria Williams Viktor Nord John Wallace Topics covered include: Strategic Talent Acquisition, Conversational AI, Future Skills in Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Marketing, Assessment, and Podcasting. Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

TA Leaders are under tremendous pressure as we move through 2023. Many are dealing with acute talent shortages, others have to downsize their team, and everyone is attempting to make sense of the implications of rapidly advancing AI technology. Whilst the immediate pressure can drive a focus on short term thinking, there is a massive opportunity for the TA Leaders who take a longer term view to reposition Talent Acquisition within their organization strategically. So what is the opportunity here, which other business functions can we model from, and what practical steps do TA Leaders need to take? My guest this week is Graeme Paxton, Founder and CEO of Caraffi. Carraffi is on a mission to make talent the engine room of everyone's organization, and Graeme has a vast amount of experience in helping TA Leaders think strategically. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of the market The strategic opportunity in challenging times Changing where TA sits in the organization Breaking the cycle When hiring volume decreases, the importance of hiring increases Shortage in critical skillsets What TA can learn from the strategic evolution of Marketing The three questions that keep CEOs up at night Aligning metrics with the business balance sheet How to measure the business impact of TA From transactional service to business driver Understanding the vision of your business to identify future critical skillsets How far in the future should TA Leaders be planning? Can TA Leaders be the CEOs of the future? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The early careers labour market is evolving. The pandemic severely impacted internships, hybrid working is changing graduate recruitment, and many employers are reviewing their entry requirements to cast a broader net for talent. My guest this week is Dr Charlie Ball, Head of Labour Market Intelligence at Jisc. Charlie is one of the UK's leading experts on Graduate employment with deep insights to share on current market trends that are applicable globally. A must-listen for anyone involved with interns, graduates and college recruiting. In the interview, we discuss: How the early careers labour market has evolved in the last three years The long term consequences of the pandemic's impact on internships and work experience Hybrid working and accredited apprenticeships The changing link between person, place and employment Why this recession is different for the labour market Why are employers dropping or lowering entry requirements? What does the future look like? Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

The current evolution of TA is not just an outward facing exercise. New thinking around internal mobility, skills, culture and experience means that the lines between Talent Acquisition, Talent Management and Learning & Development are starting to blur. So what can we learn from the employers proactively working to break down these silos? My guest this week is Debby Clement, VP of Talent at Pax8. Pax8 have a massive focus on a quality experience for both candidates and employees and has reinvented its TA strategy to reflect this. Debby has a lot of insight to share on the importance of removing internal silos and having a holistic approach to talent. In the interview, we discuss: The talent challenges of a fast growing organization The Big Tech layoffs in context and why it is still tough to recruit the right people Building a new recruiting model Heart and whole person values TA as the umbilical cord going through the whole business Job descriptions tell, and job adverts sell. Knitting together Talent Acquisition, Talent Management and L&D The Wardley Mapping concept The unintended consequences of silos in HR People Analytics The role of technology and AI What does the TA team of the future look like Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

I always find it encouraging to see many employers focusing on social mobility to diversify their workforces. However, much more needs doing, and some seismic shifts are required to broaden the narrow definition of talent many industries use to recruit. My guest this week is Phoebe Anderson, Executive Director at ATLAS Fellows. ATLAS is a not-for-profit organization with the goal of transforming the finance industry by opening doors for under-resourced young people to access life-changing careers. Phoebe advocates for changing entrenched recruiting practices and challenging the narrow definition of talent endemic in the finance industry. In the interview, we discuss: Why a zip code shouldn't dictate a life trajectory Breaking down barriers The importance of engaging with High School students Scholarship, internship, mentorship, and membership What employers need to do to be more inclusive Changing the narrow definition of talent Skills and knowledge are teachable. ATLAS' advice to employers and their plans for the future. Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Building more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces is an ongoing challenge for many organizations. There is still a disconnect between the amount of noise generated around DE&I and the results achieved. So how can employers do better, and what lessons can be learned from other organizations? My guest this week is Bruce Jackson, Associate General Counsel & Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships at Microsoft. Bruce has just published a new book, "Never Far From Home", which documents his personal journey from a housing project in Manhattan to becoming a lawyer who represented Pete Rock and LL Cool J and ultimately worked for the President of Microsoft. In our conversation, he shares his insights into the developing DE&I strategies at Microsoft, and the role employers can play in improving social mobility. In the interview, we discuss: Bruce's journey and dealing with obstacles The overwhelming influence the environment you grew up in has on your prospects. What should employers do to improve diversity and inclusion? Practical incentives to help law firms be more diverse Improving evaluation and accountability The role employers can play in improving social mobility Cybersecurity programs in community colleges The critical importance of not losing another generation of great brave minds. Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Whatever part of the industry you are in, you will be facing uncertain times as we start to move through 2023. On top of the obvious economic factors, Talent Acquisition is heading into a period of dramatic reinvention right in the middle of a trend of TA layoffs, a conundrum at a time of continuing talent shortages and candidate-driven markets. Whether you are looking for a new role, reinventing your existing role, or getting promoted, confidence is critical. It's also something that we don't talk about enough, particularly when it comes to building more of it and dealing with imposter syndrome. My guest this week is Jess Jones, an influencer, content creator, and DE&I talent lead. Jess recently wrote a book about building confidence called "Own It". Her experience in TA gives her a unique perspective on how we talk (or rather don't talk) about confidence and resilience in our industry, and she has some great advice to share. In the interview, we discuss: Confidence in the workplace Tackling imposter syndrome "Owning it" Empowering people to be more confident The snakes and ladders of work in 2023 The five-second rule Does social media make things more complicated? The myth of perfection and the importance of being vulnerable Curiosity Showing up and leading by example AI & TA Internal mobility Using creators and influences to target specific pools of talent Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Talent Acquisition is continuing to grow in complexity. Technology is becoming more disruptive, recruiting methodologies are getting more sophisticated, and data and analytics are becoming more important. It's not surprising then that the skillset of TA teams is diversifying, and the role of TA Operations is becoming more developed. So how can TA leaders demonstrate the value of TA Ops, and how can it inform hiring strategies My guest this week is Mark Jenkins, Talent Acquisition Operations Manager at Product Madness. Mark's role involves improving recruiting and hiring efficiency through process improvements, streamlined funnels, and digital transformation. He has lots of insights and advice to share about the growing value of TA Ops. In the interview, we discuss: The bottom line impact of TA Ops Improving retention and diversity Unlocking the full potential of recruiting technology Automation and the importance of process reinvention How to drive value via continuous improvement Calculating the ROI of TA Ops Storytelling with data The role TA Ops can play in shaping hiring strategies The future of TA Ops Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episodes mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 489: The Personalization Megatrend Ep 490: Responsible Recruiting Strategies Ep 491: Can TA Drive Internal Mobility? Ep 492: AI & Automation Strategies Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

With the relentless coverage, comment and discussion around ChatGPT, it finally feels that there is a mainstream realization of the capability and impact of AI and automation. However, while Twitter threads, conference presentations and webinars are great for building awareness, there is no discussion on the complexities of implementing AI and the strategic foundations needed to ensure success. My guest this week is Kyle Lagunas, Head of Strategy & Principal Analyst at Aptitude Research. Kyle has recently authored a whitepaper exploring automation's current state and future potential in talent acquisition. TA Leaders need to think very carefully about strategy and implementation, and Kyle shares some valuable insights into the automated future. In the interview, we discuss: The outlook for talent acquisition in 2023 Automation as a catalyst to unlock high-functioning TA Creating richer, high-quality stakeholder experiences. The importance of understanding system capability Continuing optimization and strategic development Building new best practices and AI and automation What do the humans do, and what do the machines do? Augementation and anticipation The evolving maturity model and the current rate of adoption What skills will the TA team of the future need? Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts

We're still only at the start of 2023, but it's already clear that it will be another challenging and complex year for talent acquisition. With so much disruption, TA Leaders must be able to prove their value to their businesses. One area we are seeing this happen is internal mobility, where the line between talent acquisition and talent management is getting a bit blurry as employers look at talent more holistically. My guest this week is Manjuri Sinha, Global Director of Talent Acquisition at OLX. Manjuri recently helped launch a highly successful internal talent marketplace called OLX Explore. In our conversation, she shared some of the strategies used to deal with the significant challenges around internal mobility and has some advice to share with TA Leaders who want to prove the value of their teams. In the interview, we discuss: Recruiting challenges Tech layoffs and global talent pools How Talent Acquisition leaders can demonstrate the value of their teams Building internal talent marketplaces The challenges of internal mobility Building a business case from data The importance of C-Suite sponsorship Awareness, access and enablement Results and ROI The role of technology What does the TA team of the future look like Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.