Live from the Shaker Green Room, Mary Battle Broxton from Tractor Supply Company joined The Chad & Cheese at RecFest USA to talk AI, authenticity, and hiring without the ‘lazy applicants.’ ‘Embrace the robots, or get left in the dust,’ as Mary urges talent leaders to dive headfirst into AI tools like Paradox. Forget the old-school ways; it's all about tech-fueled, authentic candidate experiences now, where people and bots get to know each other before onboarding. Oh, and by 2025, you better be ready to keep up, or, as Mary might say, enjoy life as a digital dinosaur.

Live from the SmartRecruiters booth, Tracey Parsons, the CEO of Flockity, shared insights at the HR Tech conference in Las Vegas, drawing from her extensive 20-year background in recruitment marketing and employer branding. She highlighted the sluggish pace of change within the industry, attributing it to stakeholder resistance and a pervasive lack of genuine listening, which deteriorates candidate experiences. This oversight often stems from an employer's sense of superiority, exemplified by Amazon's challenged reputation due to its treatment of warehouse workers. Parsons noted the common occurrence of candidates being ghosted post-interview, a reflection of broader systemic failures in recruitment where candidate sentiment remains low and transparency around compensation is stifled.

The friction in job application processes is often counterproductive, deterring potential talent, while companies like Amazon, despite recognizing the costs of high attrition, struggle with implementing meaningful change. Misaligned branding further complicates expectations for both candidates and employees. However, technology offers a beacon of hope by potentially streamlining interactions and enhancing communication.

Parsons criticized the inefficiencies in the current job distribution model, marked by low trust in job postings, and introduced Flockity's innovative approach using influencer marketing to foster trust and improve the candidate experience. She pointed out the skewed dynamics where paid job promotions might not reflect genuine company endorsement, and content tends to emphasize skills over culture. Creators often avoid brand mentions to dodge backlash.

In this episode of the Chad and Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel Cheesman and Emi Beredugo discuss Halloween festivities, share a humorous story about a naked neighbor incident, and delve into the upcoming US elections from a British perspective. They also touch on the cultural impact of Taylor Swift's concerts, highlight innovative recruiting platforms, and provide updates on their fantasy football league.

Then they discuss the implications of AI in recruitment, focusing on LinkedIn's new Hiring Assistant tool and its potential to streamline recruitment tasks. They explore the impact of AI on coding jobs, the evolving role of recruiters, and the challenges of integrating AI while maintaining human connection. The discussion also touches on hiring trends for 2025, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new technologies and the need for recruiters to upskill in a changing job market.

Emi and Joel discuss the evolving landscape of hiring practices, particularly the shift towards skills-based hiring. They explore the mindset of Gen Z, who prioritize mental health and work-life balance over traditional hustle culture. The discussion also highlights the alarming trend of prime-age men leaving the workforce, attributing it to economic shifts and societal pressures. Finally, they delve into the implications of influencer culture on society, questioning its long-term effects on individual identity and societal values.

Takeaways

• Halloween is a favorite holiday for many, with unique costumes and traditions.
• A humorous incident involving a naked neighbor showcases the unpredictability of life.
• The US elections are a topic of global interest, especially from a British viewpoint.
• Taylor Swift's concerts have a significant cultural impact, turning non-fans into fans.
• Innovative recruiting platforms like Poetry are changing the landscape of recruitment.
• The excitement and tension surrounding elections can be felt worldwide. LinkedIn's Hiring Assistant aims to automate recruitment tasks.
• AI is seen as a tool to enhance productivity, not replace humans.
• Recruiters add value through human interaction, not just administrative tasks.
• AI's role in coding is growing, but human oversight remains essential.
• The demand for upskilling in tech roles is increasing due to AI.
• Candidates prefer remote work and are resistant to returning to the office.
• Skills-based hiring is not widely adopted among employers.
• Recruiters are evolving to focus on workforce planning and employer branding.
• AI can help with communication but should not replace human touch.
• The future of recruitment will require adaptability to new technologies. Skills-based hiring is gaining traction as a necessary approach.
• Gen Z is reshaping workplace expectations with a focus on mental health.
• The job market is evolving, requiring creative hiring strategies.
• Young people today have unprecedented career options.
• The influencer culture is influencing career aspirations among youth.
• Disengagement among young men is a growing concern for society.
• Economic shifts are impacting traditional employment pathways.
• Companies must adapt to retain talent in a changing landscape.
• The stigma around non-college careers is detrimental to workforce participation.
• Understanding the motivations of young people is crucial for future employment strategies.

Chapters

00:00 - Halloween Festivities and Costumes

03:02 - Naked Neighbor Incident

06:01 - US Elections and Global Perspectives

10:04 - Taylor Swift's Impact and Concert Experience

12:05 - Shout Outs and Innovations in Recruiting

16:01 - Fantasy Football Update and Competition

17:30 - AI in Recruitment: LinkedIn's Hiring Assistant

26:01 - The Impact of AI on Coding and Employment

34:11 - Hiring Trends for 2025: Balancing AI and Human Connection

43:01 - Skills-Based Hiring: A New Paradigm

46:03 - The Mindset Shift of Gen Z

54:03 - The Decline of Prime Age Men in the Workforce

01:00:53 - The Impact of Influencer Culture on Society

The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s getting acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.

In this lively episode, Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman sit down with Quincy Valencia, SVP of Innovation at Harri, at the HR Tech conference. Known for her no-nonsense approach, Quincy offers her candid insights on the overhyped AI trend, emphasizing that companies should focus on the outcomes AI can deliver rather than getting lost in technical jargon. She highlights how AI has evolved since ChatGPT’s launch, moving beyond basic functionalities to transformative real-time data applications in industries like hospitality. As she discusses the future of HR technology, Quincy predicts continued shifts toward integrated ecosystems and strategic partnerships, suggesting that adaptability and innovation are critical for survival. The conversation wraps up with her advice for cautious companies exploring AI: prioritize business results over the technology’s novelty.

Chapter Timecodes

1. 0:00 - Podcast Intro

2. 2:31 - Meet Quincy Valencia

3. 5:46 - AI in HR

4. 10:31 - Real-World AI Applications

5. 4:56 - Adapting in a Changing Market

6. 20:11 - Advice for Newcomers

7. 23:31 - Future of HR Tech

8. 27:16 - Quincy’s HR Tech Wishlist

9. 30:46 - Wrap-Up

Live from the Shaker Recruitment Marketing Green Room at RecFest in Nashville! In the podcast, Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman, dive into the evolving world of recruitment with Joel Lalgee, founder and lead recruiter at The Realist Recruiter. Lalgee, who transitioned from an agency recruiter to building his personal brand online during COVID, shares insights on the recruitment landscape. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in recruitment, advocating for recruiters to be more human in their approach. The discussion highlights how companies are increasingly turning to social media for recruitment, stressing the creation of relatable content and the strategic use of social media influencers to align with company culture and target audience preferences. They explore the future of recruitment, predicting a rise in independent recruiters and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) models that leverage technology. Lalgee outlines his plans for 2025, focusing on content creation and establishing an RPO model, alongside discussing effective strategies for content distribution across various platforms to engage audiences more effectively.

In this episode of the Chad and Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel and Chad discuss a variety of topics including Snoop Dogg's decision to turn down a $100 million offer from OnlyFans, the ongoing legal challenges faced by Indeed, and Upwork's launch of a new AI feature named Uma. They also share personal updates, travel plans, and insights into the fantasy football league, while providing shoutouts to industry figures and discussing market trends.

Takeaways

• Snoop Dogg's decision reflects his brand awareness.
• Compliance companies can be surprisingly profitable.
• Travel can take a toll on health and well-being.
• Indeed faces legal challenges that could set precedents.
• Upwork's new AI features aim to enhance user experience.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Shoutouts

02:49 - Industry Insights and Market Trends

06:04 - The Power of Compliance and Legalities

09:12 - Travel Plans and Personal Updates

11:56 - Fantasy Football Roundup

15:00 - Indeed's Legal Challenges

18:05 - Upwork's New AI Features

20:53 - Snoop Dogg's $100 Million Decision

33:57 - Closing Thoughts and Dad Jokes

Keywords

Chad and Cheese Podcast, Snoop Dogg, Indeed, Upwork, Fantasy Football, Market Trends, Compliance, Legal Challenges, Industry Insights, Personal Updates

The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s getting acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.

In this episode of the Chad and Cheese podcast, Chad and Cheese chat with Maria Colacurcio, CEO at Syndio, Alim Dhanji, CHRO, TD SYNNEX, and Ana White, EVP and Chief People Officer at Lumen to discuss the critical issues surrounding workplace equity, the importance of data-driven approaches, and the impact of recent legal changes on DEI initiatives. The conversation highlights the need for transparency, the role of AI in reducing bias, and real stories of how pay equity adjustments have positively affected employees' lives. Achieving equity is an ongoing journey that requires commitment from leadership and a culture of inclusion.

ENJOY!

In this episode, Zeke Hernandez, a professor at the Wharton School, discusses the complexities of immigration in the U.S., addressing both legal and illegal immigration, the economic contributions of immigrants, and the need for reform in immigration policies.

The conversation also hits head-on the challenges faced by high-skilled immigrants and the implications of America's outdated immigration system. Prof Zeke discusses the multifaceted impact of immigration on the labor market, economy, culture, and job creation in the U.S.

Prof Zeke addresses the historical context of cultural assimilation and offers strategies for engaging in difficult conversations about immigration.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Zeke Hernandez

03:02 - The Truth About Immigration

06:10 - Understanding Legal vs. Illegal Immigration

09:11 - Investment Contributions of Immigrants

12:01 - The Need for High-Skilled Immigration

14:52 - America's Brain and Muscle Drain

17:49 - The Impact of Immigrants on Job Markets

20:56 - The Impact of Immigration on the Labor Market

24:53 - Economic Growth and Immigrant Contributions

26:48 - Challenges of the Current Immigration System

28:53 - Cultural Assimilation and Historical Perspectives

31:00 - Navigating Difficult Conversations on Immigration

34:43 - The Economic Consequences of Mass Deportation

Keywords

immigration, economy, legal immigration, illegal immigration, investment, job creation, high-skilled workers, brain drain, muscle drain, Zeke Hernandez, immigration, labor market, economic growth, cultural assimilation, immigration system, difficult conversations, mass deportation, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris