HIRING NEEDS RETHINKING…

The hiring market isn't frozen. It isn't booming. It's something in between.

Every week brings another contradictory headline. Companies are investing billions in AI while slowing hiring. Job postings are up, applications are flooding in, and yet organizations across industries still struggle to find the talent they need.

So what's really happening?

In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with three leaders who spend every day inside today's hiring market to separate the headlines from reality. Together, we explore why many hiring systems were designed for a workforce that no longer exists, how AI is reshaping recruiting without replacing the need for human judgment, and why organizations need to rethink how they identify, develop, and retain talent in a rapidly changing world.

Joining us are:

• Alex Ridder, Global Head of Client Partnerships at LHH

• Ravi Subramanian, Founder & President of Chicago Recruiting Forum

• Brandon Welch, Head of Talent Acquisition at BambooHR

Together, we discuss:

• Why hiring feels "slushy" instead of frozen or booming

• How AI is changing recruiting and where human oversight still matters

• Why Gen Z and workers over 50 are facing the same underlying hiring challenge

• Whether college is keeping pace with the skills employers actually need

• The growing role of internal mobility, continuous learning, and skills-based hiring

• What organizations should rethink before automating their hiring processes

Whether you're hiring, leading a team, working in HR, or navigating your own career, this conversation offers practical insights into where hiring is headed and what leaders can do today to build a workforce that's ready for what's next.
About the Panel:

Alex Ridder is LHH’s Global Head of Client Partnerships. He is a human centric and client aligned leader with over a decade of experience supporting global clients and developing innovative HR solutions to drive client objectives and enhance results. You can connect with Alex on LinkedIn here.

Ravi Subramanian is the Founder and President of the Chicago Recruiting Forum. He partners with growing companies to transform their recruiting from a cost center into strategic workforce intelligence. He brings Fortune 150 methodologies refined at US Foods, PG&E, CHC Helicopter, Kerry, Sara Lee Corporation and GE Healthcare IT and adapt them for organizations that need enterprise-quality results without enterprise complexity. You can connect with Ravi on LinkedIn here.

Brandon Welch is the Head of Talent Acquisition at Bamboo HR. He is an experienced Talent Acquisition leader who has a history of working with high-growth companies, both in start-up mode and at scale. He’s led globally distributed recruiting teams that have a knack for consistently performing at the highest levels. You can connect with Brandon on LinkedIn here.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.