The conversation about hiring has changed dramatically in the past decade. Once upon a time, recruiters were viewed as service providers – people who processed resumes and filled open seats. Today, they’re strategic operators, managing a complex, high-stakes ecosystem where speed, judgment, and influence often determine an organization’s ability to compete for talent.

As economic uncertainty and reduced consumer confidence continues in the U.S., new job growth has remained stagnant in recent months. A recent survey by outplacement firm CareerMinds revealed that approximately 66.7% of employers polled have implemented some form of hiring freeze. Out of those, 44.6% have put limited freezes in place based on specific positions or departments, with 22.1% halting hiring activities across all roles.  Anecdotally, my professional recruitment network paints...

In an interesting reversal of artificial intelligence technology trends, some employers who’ve embraced more progressive approaches to selection are going “old school” in their interviewing formats. The Wall Street Journal recently reported on a growing shift among employers away from a reliance on virtual interviewing formats and toward conducting more in-person meetings.

In the proverbial war for talent, small business leaders can understandably feel intimidated by the prospect of competing with large firms. Big budgets often spell deeper pockets for salaries, signing bonuses, advanced talent acquisition technology, and recruiting staff resources that small employers may not be able to compete with. The prospect of trying to attract available talent away from the gravitational pull of big organizations can be daunting. Yet, history is full of examples of...

Imagine connecting with someone who caught your attention on a dating app.  You talk a couple of times over the phone, have a video conversation, and then they invite you to lunch.  You’re excited because you are really interested; and it sounds like they are, too. In preparation, you drop off a nice outfit at the cleaners, touch up your shoes, and visit your hair stylist.  You request half a vacation day that afternoon so you have plenty of time to talk. The day...

Much is being written and discussed lately about the adoption of AI in the recruitment process.  One industry expert recently speculated that recruiters are one of two positions (attorneys being the second) that may be up next to have AI replace major aspects of the role. Some sources estimate that between 35% and 45% of organizations are now utilizing AI in their hiring practices.  However, as the saying goes, “it takes two to tango,” and employers should be aware of...

Have you ever started reading a book or article so dry and uninteresting that pushing past the first few paragraphs felt like a chore? Job postings far too often have the same effect. If your position postings attract a flood of unqualified applicants with only a few possessing the necessary skills, the issue may lie more within your job posting than with a lack of available talent. In a job market where employers continue to compete for strong talent, well-written postings can serve as a...

Workplace landscapes have continued to evolve this year.  Employers have had to navigate challenges like continued skills shortages and high employee expectations, but at the same time have been presented with opportunities to re-approach how they attract and hire talent.  The integration of artificial intelligence, the emphasis on skills over credentials, and the growing demand for transparency are just some of the shifts reshaping talent acquisition in the coming year....

This year has seen a shift by a growing number of companies away from traditional, skill-focused hiring to prioritizing the selection of adaptable talent. Instead of zeroing in on candidates with specific technical skills, more employers are looking for individuals who can learn quickly, switch roles as needed and remain effective in the face of change. This shift acknowledges that, while technical abilities are valuable, adaptability and a growth mindset are critical for creating a dynamic,...

Earlier in my career I reported to the owner of a small privately held firm who was laser-focused on significantly growing the business.  With a foot seemingly always on the gas pedal, their work ethic was well-known and well-discussed throughout the organization.  While the company did impressively scale, direct reports to this individual often confided in being exhausted from the pace and the disruption to sleep.  It was common to receive emails in the middle of the night....

Outsourcing of company work is as commonplace as any other means by which projects are assigned and completed. In a business-to-business framework, with contracts, SLA’s, and quality measures, it often makes sense and yields desired results while keeping full-time employee workloads in balance. Not all outsourcing, however, is a controlled process, visible throughout the chain of command. In his recent article “The Shadowy New Way Employees are Cheating Their Way to the...