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In this episode of HR Famous, Tim Sackett sits down with one of the true originals of the show: Jessica Lee, Marriott’s Global Officer of Talent Acquisition and Associate Growth (aka: head of TA + learning… “just a small job” for a company supporting nearly 10,000 hotels). The vibe is classic HR Famous—smart, practical, and just the right amount of banter about being an “OG” (and whether the kids now call you “Unc”). Jessica shares what it was like jumping back into leading a global talent acquisition team after time in broader HR and learning. Some surprises? A lot has changed…and a lot hasn’t. Recruiting is still recruiting: hiring managers still want to see every candidate, sourcing debates still rage, and stakeholder management remains the timeless recruiter superpower. But the real energy is in what’s new—especially the explosion of AI in recruiting, automation, and the opportunities to make recruiters faster, better, and more human in their conversations. Tim and Jessica get into Marriott’s approach to recruiting technology and responsible AI. They talk stack (Marriott is an Oracle shop and layers in Paradox), and why Marriott has drawn a clear line between AI for automation (low risk) versus AI that makes decisions (higher risk, higher scrutiny, higher lawsuit headlines). Jessica offers a refreshingly candid view: it’s not always that employers don’t trust the tech—it’s that they don’t trust the world won’t sue them for using it. That leads to a bigger conversation on transparency, public perception, and why candidates want to know “what they’re being measured against,” even when that measurement has always been a bit of a black box. One of the most fascinating parts: the future of interviewing. Jessica is fired up about “no interview notes” / digital interviewing tools—because when recruiters and hiring managers stop typing, they can start listening. Tim goes deeper on what AI-powered interview capture could unlock: consistency of questions, better summaries for hiring managers, improved quality control, and skill development based on real interview data (not guesswork). Then they head into the realities of high-volume hiring at Marriott. Applications are surging—millions of candidates hitting the career site—so how do you prevent managers from drowning in volume without using AI to “decide”? Jessica breaks down the practical playbook: screening questions, assessments, shortlists, and human eyes where it matters. And yes, hiring managers still push back: “Why these three? I want to see all 200.” Finally, Jessica shares how Marriott measures TA success beyond “faster is better.” Speed matters—especially frontline—but not at the expense of quality. She walks through the metrics that actually matter at scale: time to fill, turnover, retention, internal growth, cost, and a standout KPI: “quick quits” (first 90 days, including no-shows on day one). Plus, there’s nuance—luxury hotels may take longer to hire, but see lower turnover and stronger guest service outcomes. If you’re leading TA, evaluating AI, or trying to balance speed, quality, risk, and candidate experience, this episode is packed with real-world strategy—and plenty of laughs along the way. Watch or listen, then connect with Jessica on LinkedIn to keep the conversation going.

et pitched new recruiting technology all the time. New ATSs, new “AI-powered” platforms, new promises to fix what’s broken in talent acquisition. So when someone first told me I needed to check out PerfectHire, another ATS, my reaction was pretty predictable: Here we go again. But then they added something that piqued my curiosity: "ATS+". That’s what pulled me into a conversation with Matt Schalsey, founder (or co-founder, depending on how you count it) of Perfect Hire, and the guest on this episode of HR Famous. And the deeper we went, the clearer it became this wasn’t a rip-and-replace ATS with a few shiny features slapped on top. This was a complete rethink of how recruiting technology should actually work. Matt’s background isn’t traditional HR tech; it’s sales enablement. And that matters. Sales figured out years ago what recruiting is still struggling with: high performers don’t win because they work harder on admin. They win because technology removes friction, so they can focus on what actually drives results. Conversations. Relationships. Decisions. That’s the core idea behind Perfect Hire. Instead of forcing recruiters into rigid workflows, Perfect Hire breaks the ATS down to its foundation and rebuilds it around recruiter enablement, not just tracking activity, but driving outcomes. Matt and his team talked to more than 300 TA leaders to understand why they hate their ATSs (and let’s be honest, almost everyone does). The answers weren’t shocking: too much admin, no visibility, no accountability, and tools that slow people down rather than speed them up. Where things get really interesting is how Perfect Hire uses AI. This isn’t “type the right prompt and hope for the best” AI. The platform is designed so that AI works quietly in the background, informing decisions, automating scheduling, generating interview questions, reducing bias, and keeping pipelines moving without recruiters having to babysit the system. We also talked about something the industry doesn’t discuss enough: accountability. Most ATSs give you dashboards, but they don’t really tell you who’s performing, where capacity is breaking down, or what happens when leadership suddenly increases hiring by 30%. Perfect Hire connects recruiting execution to forecasting, workforce planning, and even retention, so TA leaders can have real business conversations instead of crossing their fingers and hoping it all works out. And for hiring managers? Visibility finally makes sense. Instead of being angry because they don’t know what’s happening, they can actually see progress, bottlenecks, and next steps without needing recruiters to translate ATS chaos into English. This episode is a must-listen if: You’re tired of ATSs that track work instead of enabling it You believe recruiting should operate more like sales (because it is) You care about accountability, outcomes, and doing more with fewer resources If recruiting is truly critical to your business—and not just something you tolerate—this conversation will challenge how you think about talent technology. Watch or listen to the full episode of HR Famous and see why PerfectHire might be the future of recruiting.

Recruiting on social sounds easy… until you try it. In this episode of HR Famous, Tim Sackett sits down with Sean Worden (CEO/Founder) and Katy Schuck (Co-Founder/COO) of Reelist to unpack why most TA teams struggle to hire through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and beyond, and what it actually takes to make social recruiting work in the real world. Sean starts with the big picture: Reelist makes it “ridiculously easy” to recruit off social by automating creative, running paid + organic campaigns, handling brand safety and compliance, messaging and screening candidates, and tying it all back to your ATS with real-time optimization. Then the conversation gets fun: Reelist didn’t start there. It began as a “TikTok for jobs” concept (think video-based matching)… until they realized it was turning into a job board with extra steps. The pivot? Build the infrastructure that helps employers recruit where people already are on their phones while scrolling. Tim pushes into the questions every TA leader asks: Which channel works best for in-person roles? The answer isn’t a generic “TikTok!” It depends on geography and density. For rural and small-town hiring, Sean breaks down why Facebook and Instagram often outperform, while TikTok targeting can fall apart when it forces broad DMA-level reach that doesn’t match “I need someone to drive 15 minutes to this plant.” Katy brings the strategy home with two essentials: awareness and action. Social ads aren’t meant to impress your C-suite, they’re meant to hit candidates with what they care about (pay, conditions, location) in a tight message, then make it frictionless to apply now. That “instant gratification” moment matters because speed matters. Tim shares a Marriott story that proves it: the advantage often goes to whoever responds first, not to whoever has the prettiest employer-brand deck. They also dig into what “viral” means for recruiting content (including share-to-view ratios and platform-specific behavior), why the best videos qualify and disqualify quickly, and how social can reduce junk and bot applications by capturing real intent. Finally, the crew gets into agentic AI vs. traditional GenAI, API-driven automation, real-time ATS integrations, and why security/compliance (SOC 2 Type II and more) isn’t optional anymore. If you’ve ever said, “We’ve tried social… it didn’t work,” this episode might change your mind and your playbook.

In this episode of HR Famous, Tim Sackett sits down with Tom McCarty, CEO of OrgChart, to talk about something every HR and talent leader is wrestling with right now: how to design the org of the future in an AI-powered world—without losing your mind in spreadsheets. Tim and Tom kick things off by unpacking what OrgChart really is (spoiler: it’s way more than boxes and lines). Tom explains how modern org charting gives HR three critical advantages: visibility into what your org actually looks like today, insights that layer in performance, skills, pay and potential, and vision to model what your organization should look like in 1–5 years. Whether you’re at 100 employees growing 20% a year or a global enterprise, Tom shares why staying in Excel is quietly killing your workforce planning. They dive into the uncomfortable truth that technology and data remain two of HR’s weakest muscles, and why that’s not entirely HR’s fault. Tom argues that HR tech vendors haven’t always made it easy or intuitive—then walks through what “better” looks like when org design, data and decision-making actually work together. You’ll hear them tackle big questions that every HR leader is feeling in Q4 2025: How will AI agents fit into your org chart and headcount strategy? Why you can’t plan the future state of your organization if you don’t clearly understand the current state. Why CEOs are freaking out about succession and what real org visibility can do about it. How the best leaders in an AI world won’t be the ones with all the answers—but the ones who ask the best questions. Tom also shares a simple, no-software-required starting point: how HR can begin making better org and talent decisions just by aligning on the five or six things that should always be considered in pay planning, growth planning, or restructuring conversations. If you’re an HR leader, TA leader, or C-suite exec planning for 2026 and beyond—and you’re tired of pretending your “org design” is a tab in Excel—this conversation will give you a clearer vision of what’s possible and what to do next.

In this episode of the HR Famous Podcast, Tim Sackett welcomes communications pro Dinah Alobeid for a brutally honest, wildly entertaining conversation about corporate comms, brand moments, and the power of good storytelling in HR tech. Dinah, now Head of Communications at Visier and formerly with Greenhouse, joins Tim for a laugh-filled yet thought-provoking discussion that touches on everything from corporate crisis responses to acoustic wedding songs to how HR leaders get held to a higher standard than CEOs. 🔥 Topics covered in this episode include: What real corporate communications looks like (and why most companies miss the mark) The now-legendary Coldplay/CHRO kiss drama—and the brilliant response from Astronomer (yes, the one with Gwyneth Paltrow) Why the CEO’s wife may have written the best PR letter in recent memory American Eagle’s “great genes” ad featuring Sydney Sweeney and why it caused a social media uproar Why it's nearly impossible for brands to "win" online anymore—and why maybe that's okay The importance of honest, unscripted customer stories in HR tech marketing Dinah also shares her career shift into HR tech and what drew her to Visier, a people analytics company powering smarter decisions with workforce data and AI. Tim pushes her to get real about what Visier actually does and how comms leaders can explain complex HR tech in simple, compelling terms. But this episode isn’t just about work—Tim and Dinah go personal, trading stories about: Wedding songs (Tim forgot his, kind of…) Songs for their kids Dinah’s upcoming podcast, Play This at My Funeral, which dives into grief, existentialism, and the music that defines us Why Gen Z and future HR leaders crave unscripted, real content over overproduced messaging If you’ve ever worked in HR, comms, or brand marketing—or just love when pop culture crashes into corporate drama—this episode is for you. 💡 Key Takeaway: Authenticity wins. Whether you're handling a PR crisis, launching an HR tech product, or dancing to Sam Smith at your wedding, what resonates is being real. In an age of backlash and viral moments, the best brands and leaders don’t hide behind polished messaging—they show up human. 🎧 Tune in now to hear Tim and Dinah break it all down with humor, heart, and the kind of insight you won't find in a whitepaper.

In this solo summer edition of the HR Famous Podcast, host Tim Sackett unpacks one of the biggest HR tech acquisitions of the year: SAP SuccessFactors acquiring SmartRecruiters. Tim gives his unfiltered, insider take on why this move matters, how it stacks up against Workday and Oracle, and whether SAP will actually leverage the cutting-edge, AI-driven tech they just bought—or bury it in corporate bureaucracy. You’ll hear Tim’s firsthand reaction to: Why SmartRecruiters was a smart buy (but maybe not the smartest one) The risk of “Big Tech crushing little tech” and what history tells us The future of SAP’s Talent Acquisition stack—will they go all in or keep Frankensteining? Why TA pros should care about this acquisition right now But that’s not all. Tim also dives into the recent Workday legal battle over alleged AI discrimination. He dissects the lawsuit, explains why it’s a misunderstanding of how AI works in TA tech, and makes a compelling argument that AI is more likely to reduce bias—not amplify it. If you're trying to make sense of where AI, algorithms, and HR law are crashing into each other, this segment is a must-listen. Plus, Tim shares real talk about the current state of AI in recruiting: What AI matching actually does (and doesn’t do) Why old-school hiring processes were way more biased than today’s algorithms What leaders need to know before joining the “AI is evil” mob And just for fun, Tim gives a quick update on generative AI image tools—why they’ve gotten better, where they’re still awkward, and how that reflects broader trends in machine learning and bias. This episode is loaded with: Hot takes from a real-world HR tech advisor and investor Cautionary tales from past acquisitions (remember Taleo + Oracle?) Expert analysis on what this means for HR leaders and TA tech buyers No BS commentary on the future of HR, recruiting, and AI in enterprise systems Whether you’re a TA leader looking for insights, an HR tech nerd following every move in the space, or just trying to figure out what the hell SAP is thinking—this episode delivers. 🎧 Subscribe, share, and get ready to question everything you thought you knew about enterprise HR tech.

In this solo summer edition of HR Famous, Tim Sackett flies solo with a hot debrief from the 2025 SHRM Annual Conference in San Diego. From presidential keynotes to AI overload and his signature recruiting tech list, Tim delivers an unfiltered look at what really went down at the world’s largest HR event. Here’s what you’ll get in this jam-packed episode: 🎤 Tim’s SHRM Annual Recap What it’s really like presenting to a packed room of HR pros, why SHRM audiences are better than they get credit for, and how he turns his sessions into connection machines with one killer tip involving LinkedIn QR codes. (Trust us—you’ll steal this idea.) 🧠 AI in HR: Still Mostly Hype? Tim gives a candid take on the AI overload across SHRM sessions. He breaks down why most AI talks aren’t delivering, what’s missing from vendor demos, and why the HR world desperately needs real-world AI success stories—not just “use cases.” 📉 Layoffs, Panic, and Reality Checks Is AI really causing mass layoffs? Tim doesn’t think so—and he’s got the logic to prove it. Hear why the doom-and-gloom headlines don’t reflect what’s actually happening in HR, and why a lot of recent layoffs are just course corrections from years of overhiring. 📊 Behind the Scenes of the Top 100 Recruiting Tech List Tim pulls back the curtain on how he created his Top 100 Recruiting Technologies list, why being #99 isn’t a bad thing, and why big platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Workday still rank near the top (even if people love to hate them). Spoiler alert: There’s no secret algorithm—just market reality and daily usage. 👀 Candidate Fraud Is Coming for You As a teaser for future episodes, Tim touches on the growing wave of candidate fraud in remote hiring, why IT leaders are now poking into the TA process, and what tools like Greenhouse are doing to fight back. Whether you're in TA, HR leadership, or just want the no-BS take on what’s really happening in the industry, this episode is packed with insights, rants, laughs, and practical advice. It's the perfect mid-summer episode to catch up on what matters—and what doesn’t—in the world of work.

In one of the wildest HR pop culture crossovers we’ve ever seen, the internet was set ablaze by a Coldplay concert fan cam that exposed an alleged workplace affair between the CEO and CHRO of Astronomer — and HR Famous is on it. In this must-listen episode, Tim Sackett welcomes back the most requested guest in HR Famous history — his son, Cameron Sackett — to break down the viral moment that brought HR, leadership scandal, and Coldplay together in the most unexpected way. We dig into: Why this moment blew up online and how the couple’s reaction made it unforgettable. The HR chaos of two executives being put on leave — and how legal, optics, and power dynamics play into whether they stay or go. Why this scandal was the first thing to unite the internet across age, political lines, and industries. What companies can (and should) learn about public perception, workplace relationships, and crisis comms from this Coldplay cam crash. Also in this episode: 🎥 Cameron talks about starting his new gig at Uber, adjusting to megacorp life, and what it’s like working 49 floors above Manhattan. 📺 We dish on everything we’re watching — from Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team and We Were Liars to Megan 2 and F1. 💬 And yes, we recap the best memes, the ridiculous reactions, and what this might mean for CHRO Halloween costumes in 2025. Oh, and Tim might have invited the infamous CHRO on the show… Key Takeaway: This moment was more than just workplace drama — it’s a cultural case study in modern leadership, HR ethics, and what happens when your worst professional moment gets broadcast to 50,000 people and TikTok. Whether you're in HR, leadership, or just here for the internet chaos, this is the episode everyone will be talking about. Let me know if you want alternative title options or a shorter teaser for social media!

In this eye-opening episode of HR Famous, host Tim Sackett sits down with Daniel Chait, Co-Founder and CEO of Greenhouse, to dive deep into one of the most pressing — yet under-discussed — challenges facing HR and talent acquisition today: candidate fraud. From fake resumes powered by AI to organized infiltration attempts by foreign actors, the duo explore how fraudulent candidates are shaking up recruiting processes in an era of remote work and advanced technology. Daniel shares real-world data and examples from Greenhouse customers, shedding light on the growing sophistication of fraud tactics and the vulnerabilities organizations face. Together, they dissect the "big F" fraud, like North Korean infiltration efforts, and "little f" fraud, such as candidates outsourcing interviews or using AI-generated answers. The conversation highlights how these issues aren’t just technical problems but touch every layer of hiring — from candidate experience to national security. Listeners will also learn about the crucial role of CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers) in protecting hiring pipelines and why traditional background checks and I-9 verifications are no longer enough. Tim and Daniel discuss innovative ways companies can maintain an open, welcoming hiring funnel while defending against sophisticated threats, including creating better signals for truly interested candidates and leveraging new verification technologies. Packed with practical insights, real anecdotes, and forward-looking strategies, this episode is a must-listen for talent acquisition leaders, HR professionals, and executives worried about the future of hiring integrity. Tune in to discover how you can protect your organization from becoming the next headline — and why this issue might be the biggest HR risk you haven’t prepared for yet.

In this lively episode of the HR Famous podcast, host Tim Sackett welcomes Jonathan Reynolds, CEO and self-described "visionary" of Titus Talent Strategies. The two dive into an authentic, humorous, and deeply insightful conversation about leadership, culture, and what it really takes to build high-performing teams. Jonathan shares how he ended up with the "visionary" title, explaining the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) approach, where someone sets the vision (the "why" and "where") while others execute. He admits to having endless ideas but relies on his team to focus and execute effectively. Their discussion reveals Jonathan’s unique talent for spotting raw potential in people, not just hiring based on skills, but on alignment with core values and the broader vision. They also explore Titus Talent’s approach to talent strategy, going beyond traditional recruiting to focus on character, integrity, and cultural fit. Jonathan illustrates this with stories of team members whose lives he transformed, highlighting his “curator of talent” mindset. The episode explores the significance of work for younger generations, questioning the notion that a job must always feel deeply meaningful. Instead, Jonathan suggests that meaning often comes from the impact a role has on one’s life and community. Titus showcases this by collecting personal stories from candidates 90 days after placement, emphasizing personal transformations over mere job titles or paychecks. Tim and Jonathan also tackle topics like remote work culture, philanthropic initiatives tailored to employees’ passions, and creative interviewing techniques designed to gauge true motivation and cultural fit. The result is an honest, thought-provoking, and funny look at modern leadership and talent strategy — perfect for HR pros and business leaders alike.

Manufacturing jobs are back on American soil. The factories are running. The roles are open. But the workers? They're missing. In this solo episode, Tim Sackett unpacks the growing gap between opportunity and desire in today’s labor market. Why did generations of proud factory families embrace these jobs - and why do today’s young workers turn away? From cultural shifts and education gaps to lifestyle choices and societal stigma, Tim explores the uncomfortable reasons behind this silent rejection. Is it a temporary hesitation... or a permanent shift? And if manufacturing jobs no longer inspire the next workforce, what does that mean for America's future? Connect with Us: Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett Visit Tim’s Website: hrutech.com Read Tim’s Blog: ⁠⁠https://timsackett.com/

AI agents aren’t coming for recruiting. They’re already here - and they don’t care how many reqs you filled last quarter. In this episode, Tim Sackett sits down with Jason Roberts, SVP of Tech & Analytics at Cielo, to break down what AI is actually doing inside RPOs and staffing firms - and why the old recruiting playbook is about to get torched. From sourcing automation that 5x’s recruiter output to building a fully operational AI agent of yourself, Jason pulls back the curtain on the tools reshaping talent acquisition in real-time. They talk agentic workflows, how execs are chasing 50% AI-driven recruiting models, and why most CRMs still suck. The future of recruiting isn’t theoretical - it’s operational. And if you think your job’s safe because you "build relationships"? Think again. Connect with Us: Jason Roberts Follow Jason on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasrober Learn more about Cielo: cielotalent.com   Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett Visit Tim’s website: hrutech.com Read Tim’s Blog: ⁠https://timsackett.com/

The future of recruiting isn’t coming. It’s already here. And if you’re still relying on your legacy tech stack and spreadsheets, you’re already behind. Enter Steven Jiang, CEO and Co-founder of HireEZ, who just dropped one of the most important AI launches in the recruiting space - EZ Agent, their agentic AI companion built to fundamentally reshape the recruiter’s role. Forget everything you know about “copilots” and “gen AI assistants.” EZ Agent is not just another AI tool bolted onto your ATS. It’s a fully-integrated, always-on agent that plans, reasons, executes, and evolves - empowering recruiters to get out of the weeds and back into real talent relationships. Steven joins Tim Sackett to break down: • Why agentic AI isn’t just better - it’s a whole new operating system for recruiting • How recruiters move from task managers to true talent strategists • What it means to create a white-glove candidate experience at scale • And how EZ Agent is solving the “black hole” problem by giving 100% of candidates a shot at the plate Steven’s built more than a product - he’s building a movement to re-humanize recruiting with AI doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. If you care about talent, inclusion, and the future of work - this is the conversation you need to hear. Connect with Us: Steven Jiang Follow Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenhireez/ Learn more about HireEZ: https://hireez.com/ Book a Demo: https://hireez.com/customer-success/ Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett Need Help with Technical Recruiting: https://hrutech.com/ Read Tim’s Blog: https://timsackett.com/

AI isn't coming - it's here. And it's changing recruiting faster than most realize. In this crossover episode between RecTech Media and HR Famous, Chris Russell and Tim Sackett dive into the latest from Phenom’s conference in Philadelphia. 2600 attendees. 25+ new AI agents rolled out. And a vision for HR tech that feels more like science fiction than reality. But what happens when AI isn’t just automating tasks - it’s making decisions? And if recruiters aren’t the ones screening candidates, curating talent pools, or delivering feedback, what’s left for them to do? Phenom is betting big on agents that can reason - detecting mistakes, providing real-time feedback, even building personalized hiring experiences. And they’re not alone. Paradox and Eightfold are in the race, each taking different approaches to AI. But is all this innovation really making hiring better? Or just faster? If AI agents are handling the heavy lifting, where does that leave recruiters? And if everyone’s automating, what actually sets your hiring process apart? Phenom claims they’re two years ahead of the industry. But if that’s true, what happens to everyone else still playing catch-up? Listen to find out why this shift in HR tech could leave even the most seasoned recruiters rethinking their entire approach. Connect with Us: Chris Russell Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmrussell/ Check Out the RecTech Podcast: https://www.rectechmedia.com/podcast Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsackett Visit Tim’s website: https://www.hrutech.com

AI is showing up in every headline. But in the workplace? Most people still aren’t sure what to do with it. Enter Cam Sackett - a social media manager from Away, and Tim Sackett’s middle son. He joins HR Famous for a candid conversation on how Gen Z views AI at work, why creative teams are skeptical, and what’s missing from most company rollouts. Cam shares how AI tools are marketed with bold promises but little instruction, and why “figure it out” isn’t a strategy. He explains the tension between speed and trust in creative roles - and why, sometimes, knowing how to explain a phone to your grandma might make you the best person to lead AI adoption. The real question? If AI is here to stay, who’s actually responsible for making it usable? One thing’s clear: Gen Z isn’t rejecting AI. They’re just waiting for someone to make it make sense. Connect with Us: Cam Sackett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronsackett/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronsackett/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sackettc Check Out Away: https://www.awaytravel.com/ Tim Sackett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsackett/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@timsackett Visit Tim’s Website: hrutech.com