Glenn Cathy gets real about why recruiters can’t ignore AI, the human skills that matter most, and what it means to be truly relevant in talent acquisition today.
At the recent Recruiting Innovation Summit, industry expert Glenn Cathy sparked a powerful conversation around the rapid evolution of AI in recruiting. Cathy, challenged recruiters with an essential question: "What makes you uniquely valuable as a recruiter in the age of AI?"
His keynote wasn’t about doomsday predictions; instead, Cathy provided a practical, clear-eyed assessment of AI’s current capabilities and the shifts recruiters must make to stay relevant.
The Truth About AI in Recruitment
In his presentation, Cathy didn't just describe AI’s capabilities, he showed them. Demonstrating an actual interaction with ChatGPT, he highlighted how seamlessly AI can manage candidate conversations, even handling tough objections with nuanced empathy and persuasion. “AI is surprisingly good already," Cathy emphasizes. "And if it hasn't impressed you yet, wait six months, it’s only getting smarter."
Recruiters at the session quickly recognized that AI isn’t a future consideration, it's already reshaping their work. Cathy pushed attendees to confront their assumptions about AI’s limitations, noting, “Tasks recruiters traditionally see as human – like empathy and emotional intelligence – AI now handles effectively.”
Your Job Isn’t Going Away – Unless You’re Not Paying Attention
Despite AI’s impressive advances, Cathy insists the real threat to recruiters isn’t technology itself but complacency. "AI isn’t necessarily replacing recruiters," Cathy argues, "but the recruiters who don't adapt to it will find themselves quickly obsolete."
Recruiters still bring value, Cathy says, but that value has fundamentally changed. It’s no longer sufficient to rely on gut instincts or outdated interview tactics. Instead, recruiters must understand how to integrate AI effectively into their workflows. “If you're not leveraging these tools," he points out bluntly, "someone else will – and they'll outpace you.”
Rethinking the Recruiter’s Role
Cathy emphasizes that the critical skill set for recruiters is shifting rapidly. Technical expertise in sourcing and ATS management, while still important, now pales in comparison to strategic integration of AI. Cathy shared that tools currently considered recruiter-exclusive could soon be directly accessible to hiring managers, further reshaping recruiters’ roles.
This transition demands recruiters step beyond tactical sourcing to become true talent advisors. The key lies in embracing curiosity, continuous learning, and adaptability. "I always aim to make recruiters question why they do things the way they do," Cathy notes. "Questioning is essential to meaningful progress."
AI Adoption: Recruiters vs. Candidates
Cathy highlights an uncomfortable truth: candidates are now often more technologically advanced than the recruiters hiring them. “Candidates are miles ahead,” Cathy says, referring to their intuitive use of AI tools for job search and interview preparation. If recruiters don't catch up, they risk losing talent to more agile competitors.
He urges recruiters not to view candidate-driven technology advancements as threats, but rather opportunities. “If candidates are leveraging AI effectively, recruiters must do the same – or risk falling behind."
Real Conversations, Real Solutions
Reflecting on the benefits of industry events, Cathy emphasizes that learning from solution providers and networking discussions is vital. “Talking directly to technology vendors reveals innovations that online research can’t capture,” he explains. At the Recruiting Innovation Summit, Cathy found solutions he plans to implement immediately, highlighting the tangible value of face-to-face interactions.
Understanding New Interview Norms
Addressing generational differences in interviews, Cathy points out that recruiters need a fresh perspective. Traditional expectations around etiquette, like eye contact and putting phones away, may no longer apply universally. Instead of rigidly enforcing outdated norms, recruiters should adapt and evaluate candidates based on their ability to use modern tools effectively.
“Recruiters must stop projecting their personal biases onto candidates," Cathy advises. "Interview etiquette evolves, and recruiters who embrace this reality will connect better with emerging talent."
Glenn Cathy’s Conference Takeaway: Challenge Yourself to Adapt
Summing up his message to recruiters, Cathy stresses that the industry is at a crossroads. Staying relevant means embracing AI proactively, leveraging it strategically, and continuously questioning existing practices. Success, according to Cathy, hinges on adaptability, curiosity, and human skills that no technology can fully replace – emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and genuine connection.
The future of recruiting isn’t about technology replacing humans. It’s about humans who master technology remaining indispensable.
This article is part of Chatterworks' exclusive series, capturing real-time insights from recruitment leaders at the Recruiting Innovation Summit.
