In this episode, Julie Calli, a seasoned expert with over 20 years in recruitment marketing, shares insights on the latest shifts and innovations in the world of talent acquisition. Julie explains how her journey into analytics sparked her passion for marketing, leading her to an impactful career in recruitment technology. With a background managing over a billion dollars in recruitment media, she unpacks the evolution of hiring, touching on the shift from traditional methods to advanced AI-powered systems that streamline candidate matching.

Julie and Devon discuss the transformation from job boards to AI-driven applicant tracking, focusing on how technology has both solved and created new hiring challenges. Julie highlights how modern systems have made applying for jobs easier but emphasizes the need to eliminate redundancy and refine user experience across digital platforms. She also provides an inside look at Lensa's approach to making job-matching tools accessible to all, enabling candidates to check resume-job fit before applying. This equal access to hiring technology, she notes, helps candidates better tailor their applications and allows recruiters to receive higher-quality applicants.

The conversation then shifts to a major trend: skills-based hiring versus credential-based hiring. Julie advocates for a shift away from traditional credential requirements, emphasizing the importance of demonstrated skills and real-world experience. As companies move towards hiring based on capability rather than degrees, she suggests that applicants focus on building skills through hands-on experience, certifications, and volunteer work. For recruiters, Julie encourages clarity in job postings and assessments, enabling applicants to better understand role requirements and self-select based on fit.

Julie addresses the challenges that AI can bring, particularly around biases, stressing the responsibility of tech oversight in hiring to maintain fairness and inclusivity. She suggests a balanced approach to AI and emphasizes the importance of ethical programming to avoid biases in resume screening. As the conversation wraps up, Julie shares practical advice for companies to treat candidates as brand ambassadors and provide an exceptional experience throughout the recruitment process.

Connect with Julie on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliecalli/. To learn more about Devon's work at NextGen Growth visit nextgengrowth.com.