Hello HR Pros,

HR is changing fast—are you keeping up? From AI hiring pitfalls to the surprising realities of today’s job market, this issue dives into what’s really shaping the future of work. Whether it’s spotting ghost jobs or preparing for the trends that will define 2025, we've got the insights you need to stay ahead.

Ready to tackle what’s next? Let’s jump in.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• 🧩 85 Problems with AI Recruitment: A Principal Recruiter’s Reality Check

• 🌍 9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2025 and Beyond

• 📊 Recruiting Realities: The Surprising Shifts in Hiring Efficiency

• 👻 Are "Ghost Jobs" Haunting the Talent Market?

📣 Trending HR news

• Trump warns of 'adverse consequences' for hiding DEI roles (BBC)

• 98% of Costco shareholders voted down an anti-DEI proposal (Reuters)

• Managing AI agents as employees is the challenge of 2025, says Goldman Sachs CIO (ZD Net)

• 73% of US employees struggle beyond basic living expenses (Resume Now)

• Salesforce CEO says ‘we are the last CEOs who are only going to be managing humans as our workforce’ (Fortune)

🧩 85 Problems with AI Recruitment: A Principal Recruiter’s Reality Check

Josh Bersin paints a bold picture of AI revolutionizing recruitment, but does it hold up in reality? This post by Principal Talent Partner, took a deep dive and found 85 critical flaws—gaps AI alone can't fill. From flawed job analysis to biased candidate shortlisting, the verdict is clear: AI isn’t the fix-all solution. The real win? A smart balance between AI and human expertise. Let’s rethink recruitment before AI runs the show.

Key Takeaways:

• 🔍 Think AI can fix everything? Think again. Without strong hiring foundations, AI is just another tool—your strategy still needs the human touch.

• 📊 Data can’t replace instincts—yet. AI crunches numbers, but it takes people to uncover true potential and cultural fit.

• ⚙️ Small steps, big wins. The smartest AI adoption starts where your processes are solid and your data is clean.

• 🎯 Recruiters, your time is now. Mastering AI means more than just tech skills—strategic thinking and adaptability will define the future of hiring.

Read the full 1,982-word article here

🌍 9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2025 and Beyond

The future of work is shifting faster than ever, and 2025 is set to bring major disruptions. According to Gartner, 60% of employees feel they aren’t receiving adequate on-the-job training, while 87% believe AI could provide fairer performance feedback than their managers.

Organizations must navigate three key challenges: building a future-ready workforce, redefining managerial roles, and mitigating emerging talent risks. From AI-driven restructuring to combating workplace loneliness, the companies that adapt will secure a competitive edge. Are you ready?

Key Takeaways:

• 🔍 The expertise gap is widening. With a record number of retirements expected in 2025, companies must accelerate knowledge-sharing strategies to retain critical skills.

• 📊 AI may be fairer—but is it smarter? 57% of employees trust AI over humans for unbiased compensation decisions, but it still lacks human intuition.

• ⚙️ Collaboration is in crisis. Only 29% of employees are satisfied with workplace collaboration, signaling an urgent need for AI-driven communication improvements.

• 🎯 Employee activism is rising. With only 21% of CIOs prioritizing AI’s impact on workers, expect more pushback demanding ethical AI implementation.

Read the full 2,240-word article here

📊 Recruiting Realities: The Surprising Shifts in Hiring Efficiency

Recruiter productivity is evolving, and Ashby’s Recruiter Productivity 2025 Talent Trends Report has some eye-opening insights.

The number of hires per recruiter has stabilized after a turbulent few years, but there's a catch—candidates are facing tougher competition than ever. With applications per hire skyrocketing by 182% in the last 3 years, talent teams are juggling an influx of applicants while also spending more hours per hire.

Interestingly, despite the growing complexity of hiring, the overall candidate experience remains stable. But here’s the kicker: securing a job offer has become increasingly elusive, with fewer candidates making it past the final hurdle.

Key Takeaways:

• 📈 Hires per recruiter are steady – Recruiters are now averaging 5.4 hires per quarter, signaling a return to stability.

• 🎯 Applications per hire are soaring – Candidate volume has increased by 182%, making it harder than ever to stand out.

• ⏳ Technical roles demand more effort – Recruiters invest 14 more hours interviewing for technical roles compared to business roles.

• 🏆 Offers are harder to secure – While the hiring process remains consistent, fewer candidates are making it to the finish line.

Hiring isn’t what it used to be, and these trends show how both recruiters and candidates are navigating a rapidly changing job market.

read the full 3,222-word article here

🤔 Are "Ghost Jobs" Haunting the Talent Market?

Are job postings becoming a mirage? This podcast “Are Ghost Jobs a Real Thing?” by Tim Sackett uncovers a surprising reality—up to 20% of job listings may never be filled. Companies use these postings to build talent pipelines, gauge market interest, or project growth. While this tactic can be strategic for employers, it presents challenges for HR teams navigating candidate experience and employer brand perception. Understanding the implications of ghost jobs is crucial to maintaining trust in today’s competitive hiring landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• 🕵️‍♂️ Strategic Talent Pipelining: Ghost jobs help companies attract future talent, but excessive use can mislead candidates and distort hiring metrics.

• 📉 Market Oversaturation: With 20% of listings potentially being ghost jobs, real opportunities get lost in the clutter, impacting engagement rates.

• 🏢 Employer Brand Risks: Candidates frustrated by ghost jobs may question an employer’s credibility, potentially harming long-term hiring success.

• 🔗 Candidate Experience Challenges: Ghost listings can erode trust, leading to disengagement and skepticism in the overall recruitment process.

listen to the full podcast here

The bottomline

The future of work won’t wait, and neither should you. Whether it’s rethinking your hiring strategy or preparing for the AI-driven workplace, staying informed is your competitive edge. Don’t just watch the trends—act on them.

Until next time, keep leading the way in HR!