Early Career Hiring, Using AI in Recruitment, & More: Talk Talent to Me June '23 Recap

Catch up on the June 2023 episodes of Hired’s Talk Talent to Me podcast featuring recruiting and talent acquisition leadership who share strategies, techniques, and trends shaping the recruitment industry. Plus, tune in to a few special episodes recorded live to share insights and tips on leveraging AI for recruitment. 

1. Software engineering to talent acquisition with Tony Kochar, Director of Talent Acquisition at Hearst
2. Early career hiring with Ben Siegel, CEO and Co-Founder of Abode 
3. Using ChatGPT and generative AI with Jenny Cotie Kangas, Director of Employer Branding and Awareness at PandoLogic and Dave Walters, Chief Technology Officer at Hired
4. The advancement and impact of AI with Justin Ghio, Director of Talent Sourcing at Activision Blizzard and José Cong, VP of Talent and Culture at Humane 
5. Staying innovative with Daniel Benavides, Director of Talent at Recursion

1. Tony Kochar, Director of Talent Acquisition at Hearst

Tony leverages a background in software engineering to bring technical expertise to talent acquisition. Find out what motivated this pivot and what he considers the best use of ChatGPT.  Tony also shares his take on when it’s necessary to insist on working on-site, drawing on data around remote work and productivity. 

“You have to believe in the companies and you have to believe in the people you are representing and recruiting, your candidates.”

Listen to the full episode.

2. Ben Siegel, CEO and Co-Founder of Abode

Ben’s company, Abode, began as a corporation hiring students to mow lawns for $25 an hour. It has since evolved into a thriving company helping other organizations attract and retain early career talent. This talent group is largely comprised of Gen-Zers. Ben, a Gen-Zer himself, explains what this generation of jobseekers wants and debunks common misconceptions older generations have about them.

“You can boil everything [Gen-Z jobseekers] want down into four main things; transparency, connections, respect, and expectations.”

Listen to the full episode.

3. Jenny Cotie Kangas, Director of Employer Branding and Awareness at PandoLogic, and Dave Walters, Chief Technology Officer at Hired

Live from NYC, this episode delves into generative AI and its role in the world of talent acquisition. Jenny shares how she is conceptualizing AI and leveraging it best, why you don’t have to be afraid of generative AI, and some examples of how to use ChatGPT as a talent professional. Dave shares his thoughts as a tech leader on implementing workplace AI policies and why it’ll be important. 

“One of the things to remember is, [with] any sort of generative AI, you have to ask the right sharp question to get the answer.” 

Listen to the full episode.

4. Justin Ghio, Director of Talent Sourcing at Activision Blizzard and José Cong, VP of Talent and Culture at Humane

In the next installment of AI in recruitment (live from San Francisco), guests discuss why we should embrace AI. Justin demonstrates how to maximize the potential AI in recruiting. José reiterates why AI is the future and how he and his team use it responsibly. 

“I hate the terminology ‘artificial intelligence’; it’s augmented intelligence. If we think about it from that perspective, we’re going to be less intimidated by it and we’re going to be more open-minded.”

Listen to the full episode.

Bonus: Audience member and VP of People Christina Pinheiro responded to a question from Justin and later appeared on her own episode.

5. Daniel Benavides, Director of Talent at Recursion

In this episode, Daniel reminds talent professionals to stay innovative throughout their careers. He says, “You are never too busy to be innovative!” Daniel offers the inside scoop into Recursion’s inclusion model and strategy. He also discusses the company’s employee resource groups and why they are a real community. 

“I can only speak to my lived experience – I can’t speak to the experience that our [Latinx or Black employees] have – so being able to have an ERG that is focused on that pillar or that marginalized group is key so we can ensure our policies are more inclusive.”

Listen to the full episode.

Want more insights into recruiting tips and trends?

Tune into Hired’s podcast, Talk Talent to Me, to learn about the strategies, techniques, and trends shaping the recruitment industry—straight from top experts themselves.

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