Hello HR Pros,

From AI-generated job applicants to the rise of skills-based hiring, the hiring landscape is shifting faster than ever. This edition of our HR newsletter dives into the latest trends reshaping recruitment—from deepfake job scams to Gen Z's push to ditch resumes. As AI transforms both hiring and career growth, are traditional processes keeping up?

Let’s explore what HR leaders need to know to stay ahead.

📰 Upcoming in This Issue

• 🤯 Deepfake Candidates Are Sneaking Into Tech Jobs—Here’s How They Almost Got Hired

• 🤔 62% Gen Z Says Resumes Are Obsolete—Are They Right?

• 📈 How Gen AI Could Change the Value of Expertise [Harvard Business Review]

• 🚀 Hiring Smarter: Why Untapped Talent Is the Key to Growth [Video]

📣 Trending HR News

• HR pros are understaffed but still find a way to thrive: SHRM report (HR Dive)

• Federal workers say their future is uncertain even after court rulings call their firings illegal (NBC News)

• Women unlikely to reach parity with men for 134 years: JPMorgan (Yahoo)

• Glassdoor: Employee morale just hit an all-time low (Fast Company)

🤯 Deepfake Candidates Are Sneaking Into Tech Jobs—Here’s How They Almost Got Hired

Imagine hiring a software engineer who aces the coding interview—only to find out later they don’t exist. That’s exactly what happened to Vidoc Security, a tech startup that nearly hired not one, but two deepfake candidates.

These AI fakers used stolen identities, impressive fake resumes, and deepfake video filters to mask their true selves. The deception was so convincing that one candidate even passed multiple interview rounds. It wasn’t until a live video call—where they refused to cover their face—that the scam was exposed. This unsettling trend is raising big questions about the future of remote hiring. Could your company be the next target?

Key Takeaways

• 🕵️‍♂️ AI-powered job scams are on the rise – Deepfake candidates are using AI-generated identities and video filters to infiltrate remote tech jobs undetected.

• 💻 Tech startups are prime targets – Vidoc Security almost hired two AI impostors despite thorough screening; remote hiring is especially vulnerable.

• 🎭 Simple video tests can expose fakes – Asking candidates to cover their face, turn side-to-side, or stand up can disrupt deepfake video filters.

• 🔐 Remote hiring must evolve – Companies may need identity verification, recorded interviews, and even in-person final rounds to prevent AI fraud.

AI isn’t just changing how we work—it’s changing who’s even in the room. How prepared is your hiring process? 🚀

Read the full 2,953-word article here

🤔 62% Gen Z Says Resumes Are Obsolete—Are They Right?

Gen Z is rewriting the hiring playbook. According to CV Wizard’s article, 62% of Gen Z Thinks Resumes Are Obsolete—What Does It Mean for the Future of Hiring?, this digital-first generation is challenging traditional job applications.

While 88% still rely on job boards, many prefer AI-assisted applications, online portfolios, and even video intros over static resumes. One in three Gen Z job seekers already uses AI for crafting résumés and cover letters. Yet, despite embracing technology, Gen Z faces challenges—ghosting by recruiters, impersonal hiring processes, and struggles to build professional networks. With this shift, should companies rethink their hiring strategies?

Key Takeaways

• 📉 Resumes are losing relevance – 62% of Gen Z believe résumés are outdated, favoring online job board profiles, AI tools, and personal websites.

• 🔍 Networking still beats job boards – While 88% use job boards, referred candidates have higher success rates in securing interviews and job offers.

• 🤖 AI is shaping job applications – 36% of Gen Z use AI for resumes, cover letters, and interview prep—especially those with higher education.

• 👀 Ghosting is a real issue – 41% of Gen Z job seekers experience ghosting, making hiring processes feel increasingly impersonal and frustrating.

Read the full 2,319-word article here

📈 How Gen AI Could Change the Value of Expertise—Harvard Business Review

Generative AI is rewriting the rules of career progression. According to Harvard Business Review’s How Gen AI Could Change the Value of Expertise, AI is automating entry-level tasks, making it harder for newcomers to gain experience—while boosting the productivity (and value) of seasoned professionals.

Microsoft’s AI-powered Copilot has already stalled junior software engineer hiring, and similar trends are emerging across industries. The result? Fewer traditional career ladders, more demand for expertise, and companies scrambling to rethink training and promotions. Will AI unlock new opportunities or build even higher barriers? The answer could reshape entire industries.

Key Takeaways

• 🔍 AI is erasing entry-level jobs – About 12% of U.S. workers are in roles where AI will automate key early-career tasks, limiting new hires.

• 📈 Expertise will command higher salaries – Fields with steep learning curves, like credit analysis and project management, will see senior employees become even more valuable.

• 🚪 AI could widen access to certain careers – In areas like construction management and data analysis, AI could lower skill barriers and create new job opportunities.

• 🏢 Companies must rethink career paths – With fewer entry-level roles, businesses need new training strategies to develop talent and prevent future skill shortages.

Read the full 1,793-word article here

🚀 Hiring Smarter: Why Untapped Talent Is the Key to Growth [Video]

Traditional hiring practices are leaving millions of skilled workers behind. In The Secret to Hiring Smarter? Untapped Talent by SHRM, experts reveal how companies can fill critical talent gaps by looking beyond degrees and tapping into overlooked talent pools—veterans, people with disabilities, older workers, and more.

With 62% of U.S. workers over 25 lacking a college degree, skills-based hiring is proving to be a game-changer. Veterans, for example, outperform civilians in leadership roles, while HR professionals are increasingly using SHRM’s BEAM framework to reduce hiring barriers. The message is clear: The smartest hiring strategy isn’t just about résumés—it’s about recognizing real skills.

Key Takeaways

• 🎓 Degrees aren’t everything – 175 million U.S. workers lack traditional degrees, making skills-based hiring essential for accessing top talent.

• 🎖️ Veterans excel in leadership – 96% of HR pros say veterans outperform civilians, especially in managerial roles.

• ♿ Inclusion fuels business growth – The SHRM Foundation is tackling barriers for caregivers, older workers, and people with disabilities to expand hiring opportunities.

• 📚 HR training for the future – SHRM offers a 15-hour skills-first credential to help HR pros implement skills-based hiring effectively.

With untapped talent waiting to be discovered, will your company rethink how it hires? 💡

Watch the full video here

The bottomline

The workplace is evolving, and so are hiring strategies. Whether it’s spotting deepfake candidates, adapting to Gen Z’s expectations, or embracing untapped talent, HR leaders must stay agile. AI is rewriting the rules, but the human touch remains irreplaceable. How will your company respond to these changes? Stay informed, stay proactive, and let’s shape the future of hiring together.

Until next time, keep hiring smarter! ✨