I was at RecFest last week,
and one thing that kept coming up again and again was this —
AI is changing the way we recruit,
but it’s also changing what it means to be a recruiter.

Many companies are getting leaner,
with fewer recruiters handling more requisitions,
because AI can now automate parts of the process.

But here’s the challenge —
with AI, we’re now getting thousands of resumes a day.

Sorting through that noise,
spotting fake or unauthentic profiles,
has become tougher than ever,
because every other candidate is now using AI to draft or tweak their resume for each role.

So finding who’s real just from a resume has become nearly impossible.

That’s why hiring quality talent is still such a challenge —
and where human judgment becomes truly irreplaceable.

Recruiting is an art, not a formula.
There are nuances AI simply won’t catch —
the tone, intent, or authenticity you sense only during a real screening call.

AI can assist us — yes — in screening based on keywords,
scheduling interviews,
even drafting outreach emails.

But at the end of the day, it’s we recruiters who validate.
AI can suggest — but it can’t sense.

Another big takeaway from RecFest was all about quality and speed.

Some of the other topics discussed were

Quality of Applicants is now a real recruiter KPI —
we’re being measured not by volume,
but by how close our slates are to the ideal fit.

Then comes Market Intelligence —
knowing before you start sourcing how hard or easy it’ll be to attract the right talent,
what competitors are paying,
and how deep the skill pool really is.

And finally, the 72-Hour Pipeline Playbook.
In this cut-throat market, top candidates are limited,
and everyone’s chasing them.

The teams that can identify, engage, and deliver a quality slate within 72 hours of a req opening
are the ones that win.

That’s where proactive sourcing, AI-powered research,
and hyper-personalized outreach come together.

These aren’t just trends for 2025 —
they’re the realities shaping our profession.

AI can speed us up,
but it’s our judgment that keeps hiring human.

Happy Recruiting!