Talent Insights

The entry-level job market is bad!   Crowd: "How bad is it?"   It's so bad that journalism majors are having an easier time finding work than computer science grads. (That part isn't a joke. 6.1% unemployment vs. 4.4%.)   Despite a strong overall job market, recent grads are getting squeezed. "Entry-level" roles now require experience, companies have slashed college recruiting programs, and AI is...

In this quarterly update, Emily and Ryan hosted Hirewell CEO, Matt Massuci, where they dove into company-wide and practice-specific hiring trends from the start of 2025. While January and February lagged behind expectations—down 10% year-over-year—March brought a 25% surge, signaling renewed momentum. Executive search and interim hiring are on the rise, even as Solutions work has slowed. Despite e...

In this episode of 'The Balancing Act,' host Sarah Sheridan interviews Suzanne Jakstavish, an HR executive with over five years of experience and a mother to a 15-year-old son with autism. Suzanne shares her unique career journey, the impact of her parents' professions, and how her experiences have shaped her leadership style. The conversation delves into the challenges and joys of raising her son...

Candidate Experience sucks right now. That's it. That's the show.   If you think back to 2021, when the job market was on fire, it was top of mind for everyone. Not just LinkedIn think pieces, but companies poured lots of time and effort into white-glove interview interview processes.   Now that the market cooled off, so did the effort. But there's a disconnect: attracting talent isn't any easier...

🎧 Rethinking HR: Strategy, Growth & the Post-Corporate Shift We sat down with Malvika Jethmalani—3x CHRO turned founder of Atvis Group—to talk about what great HR really looks like in 2025. From performance management and manager effectiveness to people-first AI transformations, Malvika shares what companies are getting wrong—and how to fix it. She also dives into the perks (and real challenges)...

It's been nearly 2.5 years since ChatGPT was released. Since then, our LinkedIn feeds have been littered with panic-porn telling us if we don't use LLMs that make us sound like robots, we'll be left behind.   Whelp. They were half right. Wrong use, but perhaps the correct end result.   We are–slowly but surely–starting to see the real effects of AI in hiring. Both for the recruiting function, and...

The 2025 job market has everyone scratching their heads. One minute, we're seeing strong job numbers. The next? Layoffs. Some companies are scaling fast, others are stuck in hiring freezes. It's a mixed bag—and it's creating uncertainty across the board.  In this episode, Ryan & Emily break it all down: 🔹 The rise of temp-to-perm and extended interview processes 🔹 How hesitation is impacting hir...

Rolodex.   But that's exactly what legacy firms want you to think.   They sell prestige. They sell access. They sell fear. And some companies buy it—because no one wants to screw up a high-profile hire.   Here's the truth: access is the easy part. Executives respond more than anyone. The real challenge? Fit. Immersion. Results after the hire. And most firms skip that part entirely.   Jeff Smith an...

In this episode of The Balancing Act , host Sarah Sheridan chats with Margot Nash, co-founder and CEO of MindMetrix. Margot opens up about her unconventional career path—from selling makeup at Estée Lauder to leading product teams at tech startups, and ultimately launching her own company in the mental health space. She shares the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with raising two young kid...

In this episode of Beyond the Offer, hosts Rosanna Snediker and Bill Gates welcome Katie Stapor, VP and Director of Talent at FCB Chicago. Katie shares her journey at FCB, where she started in 2011 and earned seven promotions. She reflects on her unexpected path into HR, the power of relationships, and the ever-evolving workplace. The conversation covers adapting to business demands, innovative in...

You're not buying a list of names. Or a database. Or a stack of resumes.   At least, you shouldn't be.   But somewhere along the way, a lot of buyers got sold the idea that "access" is still the value. It's not. Ever since LinkedIn, Zoominfo, and countless contact info clones came around, everyone has access.   What actually matters? Judgment. Influence. Customization. Accepted offers.   You know,...

Repeat after me: do not talk politics at work. Or on LinkedIn.   Or in job interviews. Or on first dates. Or at Thanksgiving dinner.   Unfortunately for those of us in the business world, 2025 ruined it. There's just no way around the fact that tariffs are the issue driving the business climate right now. Every client, candidate, and partner is asking about it—or struggling because of it.   So may...

Parental leave isn't just about time off—it's about setting employees and businesses up for long-term success. In this episode, Allison Whalen, CEO & Co-Founder of Parentaly, joins host Sarah Sheridan to break down the real impact of parental leave on careers and organizations. They discuss why 94% of women return to work after paid leave, yet 75% consider quitting within 18 months, and how a mana...

At the halfway point of Q1 2025, we're seeing major shifts in Go-To-Market (GTM) and Corporate Functions hiring. In this episode, Ryan and Emily break down the top trends shaping the year and how they compare to Q1 2024. GTM Hiring: Marketing roles—especially content and design—are surging, while Customer Success hiring is up as companies prioritize retention. Account Executive demand remains high...

Welcome to Episode 10 of Beyond the Offer with Bill Gates and Rosanna Snedeker! This episode features Dr. Cheryl Camacho, Chief Learning and Program Officer at I.C.STARS, a nonprofit creating economic opportunities through tech. Dr. Camacho shares her career journey, from Teach for America to I.C.STARS, and dives into topics like equal access, DEI, talent acquisition, and conscious leadership. Don...

We said we were done talking about remote work… but here we are.     A couple years ago, remote was all anyone could talk about. We're pro remote, but even we got sick of it.     Why revisit now? Because the dynamics have changed. Remote work comes with real trade-offs (e.g. lower salaries), which some people are gladly accepting. On the flip side, companies are (inadvertently) paying a premium to...

Join Ryan Brown and Emily Goor as they discuss key hiring trends and market insights from 2024. Special guest Matt Masucci, CEO of Hirewell, provides an in-depth analysis of sector performances, the impact of technology and efficiency in recruiting, and executive search and RPO trends. They also share predictions for the job market in 2025. Explore more about Hirewell's services and stay updated w...

It's been a wild few years. One minute, companies can't hire fast enough. The next, mass layoffs. Can't find anyone to hire and mass layoffs. We've gone from water cooler life to fully remote to back in the office…maybe?   The real challenge? Resetting expectations. Let's be honest—people aren't great at that. Whether it's job seekers or executives, at the end of the day, they're all just… people....

Welcome to another episode of The HireWell Update ! Hosts Ryan Brown and Emily Goor dive into the fastest-growing roles across industries—from AI engineers and sustainability specialists to travel advisors and physical therapists. Tune in as they break down the evolving job market, emerging career opportunities, and key hiring trends shaping the year ahead. Don't miss these valuable insights to st...

Welcome to Episode 9 of Beyond the Offer, hosted by Rosanna Snedeker and Bill Gates. This episode features Mark Tumiel (SVP of HR) and JC Rivera (Head of Talent Acquisition) from Newcastle Investors, a Chicago-based real estate firm. They discuss their career journeys, Newcastle's recruitment and HR strategies, the challenges and shifts brought by COVID-19 in the real estate market, and the firm's...

Manufacturing. So hot right now.   Last year we kicked off 21 new RPO and volume solutions engagements. Eight of them came within the Industrial space.   What we enjoyed the most: it's where we have the least amount of competition from other recruiting firms.   We're not complaining. But why is that?    Jeff Smith and James Hornick address why the backbone of the US economy is largely underserved...

Compensation discussions are always the same: Workers want more. Companies want to pay less. And somewhere in the middle the two shall meet.   But this year is a little extra. After a decade-long hiring boom, we had a pandemic, followed by runaway salary inflation, then a tanking job market (for Office Dorks™️ anyway), and another bounce back (fingers crossed.)   Which really means we have some wo...

In this episode, hosts Bill Gates and Rosanna Snediker invite Steph Brogan, the founder of Pivotal HR Partners. Steph shares insights from her extensive experience in HR and Total Rewards at renowned companies like Campbell Soup, Morton Salt, and Revantage. The conversation delves into Steph's career path, the intricacies of compensation and benefits, the impact of pay transparency laws, and chall...

As 2024 wraps up, Ryan and Emily highlight key trends: Digital Transformation : AI, automation, and data reshaped recruitment, freeing up time for relationship-building. Gig Economy : Freelancers became essential; flexibility will be crucial in 2025. Candidate Experience : Personalization and transparency are key to attracting top talent. Talent Retention : Upskilling and career development boost...

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty good about 2025. Hirewell closed out the year on a hot streak. Best 4 month stretch in 2 years. 21 new solutions clients signed since May 1. And more chatter about increased hiring from both VC-backed start ups and traditional industries alike.   So if hiring's on the upswing, what new challenge will take its place? Getting candidates to say yes and s...