The idea that prompting skills – the ability to type the “right words” into an AI system – would be the key to successfully using generative AI has been one of the dominant narratives in recent years, including in Talent Acquisition. Many organizations invested heavily in prompt libraries, training, and certifications, hoping to unlock efficiency gains and higher quality outcomes. By now, however, two things have become unmistakably clear. Prompting in itself does not solve s

Leading Talent Acquisition today is a balancing act on several levels. You’re constantly navigating talent shortages, rising expectations from the business, endless KPI discussions, new tools, employer branding, candidate experience, team dynamics, and political stakeholder management. Anyone who believes TA leadership is mainly about filling open roles as quickly as possible is missing the point. Recruiting has become one of the most strategic functions in the company. Recru

Uncertain markets, technological disruption, geopolitical tensions, and rising expectations from employees and customers create an environment that is more complex, dynamic, and unpredictable than ever before. Leadership today takes place under conditions where traditional playbooks fail, and new approaches are urgently needed. A recent Fast Company article hits exactly this point — and sends a clear message: Leadership teams are more successful in turbulent times when they d

…or: Things we REALLY don’t want to repeat in 2026. The Christmas decorations are barely back in their boxes, the leftover cookies are still calling from the kitchen, and yet — as every TA professional knows — January does not wait. It arrives loudly, with fireworks, unrealistic hiring forecasts, and an inbox already judging your life choices. So let’s embrace it with style. Here comes my official, slightly-too-accurate list of New Year’s Resolutions for TA Teams. Sharpen yo

TL;DR Niya.ai  turns WhatsApp into a personal career coach  — great for résumé tuning, interview prep, and skill development. The job-search function needs polish, but as a free, multilingual tool that meets you where you already chat, it’s one of the most accessible AI career assistants. The long version Recently, I stumbled upon Niya.ai , a service that promises career coaching and job-search support — entirely through WhatsApp . Sounds bold: can serious career advice reall

Myla Ramos’ article on HRMorning about resilient staffing leaders captures the essence of effective leadership: resilience is rooted in empathy and decisiveness, working together, not in opposition. Resilience Starts With the Leader — Not the Team “Resilient leaders don’t wait for normal to return. (Spoiler: It won’t.).” This line from Myla captures modern leadership perfectly. The truth is uncomfortable: the old “normal” isn’t coming back — and that’s not a bad thing. Resil

Skills must be validated In recruiting circles, terms such as “ skill-based hiring,” “skills-first recruiting,”  or “competency-based selection”  are gaining popularity. Many organizations see this as the key to fairer hiring, better matches, and broader access to talent. But what’s really behind it — and where are the hidden pitfalls? What Is Skill-Based Recruiting? Skill-based recruiting shifts the focus from “what you are”  — your degree, title, or job history — to “what y

If you’ve noticed a significant drop in your LinkedIn reach over the past few months, you’re far from alone. Many users, companies, and marketers report the same trend: despite a consistent strategy, solid content, and an active community, impressions, comments, and interactions have dropped sharply. So what’s behind these shifts in your LinkedIn metrics? A closer look shows LinkedIn itself is evolving—both technically and  strategically. The algorithm (the software that deci

I recently read The Alignment Advantage Report by Checkr , which surveyed 3,000 HR professionals and 3,000 job candidates about how AI is used and perceived in recruiting. The report offers direct comparisons of expectations and values from both groups, identifying where perceptions align and diverge. These differences reveal actionable insights for recruiting teams using AI now or in the future. The Study Base: 6,000 Perspectives on AI in Recruiting The report explores, amon

Fear is part of the Game. Really? A while ago, I wrote about the fears that hiring managers bring into recruitment — the doubts that slow decisions and cloud judgment. But let’s be honest: it’s not just hiring managers who bring fears to the table. We recruiters carry our own baggage, too. Recruiters are often the first face candidates see — the moderators, translators, brand ambassadors, process managers, and sometimes, the human lightning rods between hiring managers, HR, a

Many companies face a paradox: while layoffs and hiring freezes are common, the pressure to fill critical roles quickly is still growing. This is evident in Germany’s automotive sector, where jobs are cut as companies shift to e-mobility and efficiency. In Switzerland, large banks are reducing headcount after mergers and cost-cutting. Yet, the skill shortage persists. When markets rebound, companies lack experienced professionals familiar with their organization and culture.

Why no internal move? Many organizations today are under enormous pressure for transformation. Cost reduction, automation, digitization, and geopolitical uncertainty are forcing companies into ongoing restructuring, hiring freezes, and targeted workforce reductions. What may look like regression at first glance can actually become an opportunity – if organizations make their internal talent visible and mobile. It's now about redistributing competencies, redeploying skills, an

Invest in your Skills, Employer Branders After exploring how recruiters can upskill for the new era of skill-based hiring, it’s time to shift the focus to their close allies: Employer Branding professionals. Employer Branding is no longer a “marketing experiment.” It’s a strategic weapon in the talent competition. The game has changed: glossy campaigns are out — authenticity, data literacy, content fluency, and digital confidence are in. In short, Employer Branding is now mor

Learning is a management skill. Leveling up your TA team isn’t enough—the focus shifts to those who guide and develop them: Talent Acquisition leaders . The role of TA has undergone a radical change. Yesterday’s focus: operations (processes, KPIs, time-to-hire). Today’s mandate: strategy, technology fluency, data intelligence, and people leadership. Leading TA means acting as a strategist, change manager, analyst, and brand ambassador. With AI, automation, and skill gaps chan

Smart Recruiters skill up. Skill-based recruiting is rising—and it’s about recruiters now, too. Fall is an ideal time to invest in development, as the pace slows down and learning aligns with your schedule. Recruiting is changing fast. AI systems, data tools, remote hiring, and diversity demand new skills. Experience alone isn’t enough. Stop learning and risk losing relevance. Which skills matter now—and how can you certify them affordably? Here’s an overview of key recruiter

Illusion: The risk-free recruiting Recruiting isn’t an “HR topic” anymore. Every manager who hires is, in effect, a recruiter — whether...

Since I keep getting asked about it, here’s a quick deep dive into the world of ATS technology. Before anyone panics, most companies...

As a recruiter, you typically conduct interviews, moderate assessment centers, and evaluate job candidates through tests. It’s easy to...

For decades, a career meant completing an apprenticeship or degree, joining a company, advancing for years, and eventually retiring. That...

The world reels from conflict, economies slide into turmoil, and the prevailing mood is one of tension. Uncertainty permeates every team...