Episodios

  • #6 - Heidi Barnett: AI That Helps Recruiters, Not Replaces Them

    #6 - Heidi Barnett: AI That Helps Recruiters, Not Replaces Them
    Oct 14 2025
    Live from HR Tech, Mike Peditto sits down with Heidi Barnett, President of Talent Acquisition at iSolved, for a fast-paced, insightful conversation about how technology is reshaping recruiting—without losing the human touch. Heidi shares an inside look at Indeed Talent Scout, a new collaboration between iSolved and Indeed that’s bringing AI-driven matching and real-time job ad optimization directly into recruiters’ ATS systems. The goal? To help talent teams work smarter, not harder, and focus on what matters most—building real human connections. Together, they unpack what it’s like leading large TA teams in an unprecedented market, how AI can actually support recruiters instead of replacing them, and why it’s time to rethink interview practices—especially when it comes to unpaid “trial” work and candidate experience. Heidi also shares her wildest “recruiting nightmare” story and her advice for building community and staying human in an industry full of burnout. About Heidi Barnett Heidi Barnett is the President of Talent Acquisition at iSolved, where she leads global recruiting strategy and innovation. With deep expertise in building and scaling teams, Heidi has partnered with industry leaders like Indeed to shape the next generation of talent technology. She’s known for championing recruiter wellbeing, ethical hiring practices, and community-driven TA leadership.
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    23 m
  • #5 - Farah Sharghi: The Psychology of Recruiting

    #5 - Farah Sharghi: The Psychology of Recruiting
    Oct 7 2025
    Former software engineer turned recruiter Farah Sharghi has built hiring strategies at some of the biggest names in tech — Google, TikTok, Uber, Lyft, and The New York Times. In this lively conversation with host Mike Peditto, she breaks down what most people get wrong about internal recruiting, how to manage “difficult” hiring managers, and why the psychology of influence is a recruiter’s most important skill. Farah also shares candid stories from inside high-pressure environments — including a complete process overhaul at The New York Times that left her entire department fuming before it turned into a massive success — and her unfiltered thoughts on AI replacing recruiters (spoiler: “good luck with that”). Farah Sharghi is a recruiting and career coach with a background that spans engineering, people management, and creative storytelling. A former recruiter for Google, TikTok, Uber, Lyft, and The New York Times, she now helps job seekers and recruiters alike navigate the ever-changing world of hiring. Connect with Farah: YouTube: Farah Sharghi LinkedIn: Farah Sharghi Instagram: @farahsharghi TikTok: @farahsharghi
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    44 m
  • #4 - Leah Dillon: Credibility Over Clout - Rethinking Recruiter Content

    #4 - Leah Dillon: Credibility Over Clout - Rethinking Recruiter Content
    Sep 30 2025
    We are joined by recruiter and talent acquisition professional Leah Dillon to break down the realities of recruiting in 2025. Together, they examine how recruiters can build credibility online without falling into the trap of hot takes or viral-driven content. Topics covered include: Shifts in recruiter-driven content on LinkedIn and how it affects candidate trust. Best practices for maintaining a professional digital presence while avoiding unnecessary online conflict. The recruiter’s role in setting clear expectations for both hiring managers and candidates. Common pitfalls in hiring processes—like vague role definitions—and their impact on candidate experience. Practical coping strategies for recruiter burnout, including building supportive peer networks and adopting healthier communication habits. This conversation offers tactical insights for recruiters seeking to improve candidate experience, maintain credibility in a noisy online environment, and build sustainable practices in an increasingly complex hiring landscape.
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    34 m
  • #3 - Jamie Leonard: Why RecFest Feels More Like Burning Man Than a Recruiting Conference

    #3 - Jamie Leonard: Why RecFest Feels More Like Burning Man Than a Recruiting Conference
    Sep 30 2025
    What if a recruiting conference felt less like a business meeting and more like a music festival? That’s the idea behind RecFest, the world’s largest talent acquisition event — and today, its founder Jamie Leonard joins the show. Jamie shares the story of how RecFest grew from an experiment in the UK into a global phenomenon, including its expansion into Nashville. He explains why the festival-style approach works, how it breaks down barriers between recruiters, and why real human connection is the core of the experience. We dig into: Why recruiters often feel isolated and misunderstood in today’s market How RecFest builds community and gives TA pros a “big virtual hug” The green lanyard initiative that gives free tickets to job seekers The ongoing “AI arms race” between recruiters and candidates Wild recruiting advice (like mailing résumés on thick paper!) and nightmare candidate stories What attendees can expect at RecFest Nashville this October, from speakers like Melissa Thompson (Ford) and Rachel Alan (7-Eleven) to parties, activations, and unexpected connections This episode is packed with stories — from recruiters behaving badly on LinkedIn to Jamie’s personal “recruiting nightmare” of being confronted by a rejected candidate outside his office. If you’re a recruiter looking for connection, inspiration, and maybe a little fun, this conversation will convince you that RecFest is worth the trip.
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    33 m
  • #2 - Bonnie Dilber: AI, Job Seekers, and the Future of Hiring

    #2 - Bonnie Dilber: AI, Job Seekers, and the Future of Hiring
    Sep 23 2025
    Zapier’s Senior Recruiting Manager, Bonnie Dilber, sits down with Mike to talk about the rise (and overload) of AI recruiting tools, what’s hype versus what’s useful, and how recruiters can adapt without losing the candidate experience. They unpack the daily pressures of managing hundreds of applications, why recruiters often feel misunderstood, and the importance of building supportive communities to cope with burnout and negativity online. Bonnie Dilber leads recruiting at Zapier and has become one of the most recognizable voices in the talent space through her newsletter and massive LinkedIn following. Named a LinkedIn Top Voice, she’s known for her transparency, job seeker advocacy, and sharp insights on how technology is reshaping the world of work. Connect with Mike Peditto LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/mpeditto⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@realisticrecruiting⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@realisticrecruiting⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@RealisticRecruiting⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠mikepeditto.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Is This Still a Good Time? on Amazon⁠
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    38 m
  • #1 - Amy Miller: Recruiting in the Wild

    #1 - Amy Miller: Recruiting in the Wild
    Sep 23 2025
    Recruiter, speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice Amy Miller joins Mike to dig into the realities of building trust with hiring managers, battling egos on both sides of the table, and surviving the chaos of big-tech recruiting. From counter-offer debates to the Workday lawsuit, Amy shares hard-won lessons, candid stories, and her signature one-liners about keeping your sanity in an industry that seems determined to test it daily. Amy Miller is a veteran tech recruiter with experience at Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. Known for her popular blog Recruiting in Yoga Pants and her active LinkedIn presence, she’s built a reputation as a truth-teller and mentor within the recruiting community. Connect with Mike Peditto LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/mpeditto⁠ Instagram: ⁠@realisticrecruiting⁠ TikTok: ⁠@realisticrecruiting⁠ YouTube: ⁠@RealisticRecruiting⁠ Website: ⁠mikepeditto.com⁠ ⁠Is This Still a Good Time? on Amazon
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    40 m