RecTalk Podcast - Explore Recruitment Insights

Nitin Sharma, founder of rectools.io
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Welcome to RecTalk, the UK's biggest recruitment industry podcast on YouTube and a Top 15% Video Podcast on Spotify! Hear from trailblazers in the recruitment industry who want to have their say on all things recruitment - unbiased, unfiltered, unscripted.

  1. 1d ago

    Why Recruitment Should Never Let AI Make Hiring Decisions | Dave Jenkins

    Can AI make better hiring decisions than recruiters? Dave Jenkins, founder of Wave, doesn't think so. In this episode, Nitin Sharma visits Wave HQ to explore how recruitment technology is evolving, why candidate attraction matters more than simply posting jobs, and where AI should — and shouldn't — be trusted in the hiring process. Rather than replacing recruiters, Dave explains why technology should help recruiters work faster without taking away the human judgement that makes great hiring possible. ✅ Why Wave evolved from a traditional multiposter into a candidate attraction platform✅ How AI can speed up recruitment without replacing recruiter expertise✅ Why recruiters should never let AI make hiring decisions for them✅ The hidden cost of searching job boards before your own CRM✅ Candidate attraction vs job advertising explained✅ Why recruitment businesses should focus on their niche, not just Boolean searches✅ Building technology that supports recruiters instead of replacing them✅ The future roadmap for Wave and the mission to ensure "talent is never missed" Dave also shares his thoughts on market conditions, surviving difficult recruitment markets, and why business owners should stay focused on what they can control. "Focus on the things that you can actually influence… and work bloody hard." 🎙️ Guest: Dave Jenkins, Founder of Wave 🎤 Hosted by Nitin Sharma 📍 Recorded at Wave HQ Whether you're an agency recruiter, talent acquisition leader or recruitment business owner, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on AI, recruitment technology and why human expertise still wins. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with recruitment leaders, founders and technology innovators shaping the future of hiring. #Recruitment #AI #RecruitmentTechnology #Hiring #Recruiters #Wave #CandidateAttraction #HRTech #TalentAcquisition #RecruitmentBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #Staffing #FutureOfWork Topics covered:

    55 min

  2. 2d ago

    Is Inclusion Something You Do... Or Something You Are? | The DEI Debate in Recruitment

    DEI. Diversity. Inclusion. Neurodiversity. Workplace culture.Few topics create more debate in business right now.Recorded live at IHR Manchester, Sean Kennedy and Nitin Sharma sit down with Michael Platt and Parul Singh for an honest, balanced conversation about diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, why so many organisations struggle to get buy-in, and whether businesses are approaching DEI in the right way.This isn't a corporate tick-box discussion.It's a real conversation exploring the challenges, misconceptions and opportunities surrounding inclusion in modern organisations.Topics include:✅ Why DEI often receives resistance from employees and leaders✅ The commercial case for diversity and inclusion✅ Neurodiversity in recruitment and the workplace✅ Why data matters more than good intentions✅ The role HR should (and shouldn't) play in driving inclusion✅ Employee resource groups, workplace culture and leadership accountability✅ The difference between performative initiatives and meaningful change✅ Why inclusion should benefit everyone, not just specific groupsOne of the most thought-provoking discussions from IHR Manchester, this episode challenges assumptions from every angle while exploring what true inclusion looks like in practice.🎙️ Guests:Michael PlattParul Singh🎤 Hosts:Nitin SharmaSean Kennedy📍 Recorded live at IHR ManchesterSubscribe for weekly conversations with recruiters, talent acquisition leaders, HR professionals, founders and industry experts.🔔 New episodes every Wednesday and Friday#DEI #DiversityAndInclusion #Recruitment #TalentAcquisition #HR #Neurodiversity #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #FutureOfWork #Recruiting #HRPodcast #RecTalk #IHRManchester #Inclusion #EqualityAtWork

    37 min

  3. 6d ago

    The Biggest Threat to Recruitment Since AWR? With Adrian Marlowe & Theresa Mimnagh of Lawspeed

    Book your place on Lawspeed’s seminar on 7th July regarding the consultation on zero/guaranteed hours contracts: https://www.lawspeed.com/consultation-on-guaranteed-hours-contracts-seminar/ What could be the most significant change to hit the recruitment industry since the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR)? In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Adrian Marlowe and Theresa Mimnagh from Lawspeed to unpack the Government's proposed Guaranteed Hours consultation and why recruiters, staffing firms, employers, and contractors should be paying close attention. The discussion explores the proposed requirement for hirers to offer agency workers direct contracts after a reference period currently suggested at 12 weeks, and the potentially far-reaching consequences this could have on temporary staffing, contract recruitment, workforce flexibility, and business growth. Adrian and Theresa share their concerns around: Why this could be the biggest recruitment industry shake-up since AWRThe Government's rationale behind guaranteed hours legislationWhether agency workers are genuinely being protected or whether flexibility is being underminedThe impact on temporary staffing, contract recruitment, and contingent workforce modelsHow recruitment agencies may need to rethink their commercial models and pricing structuresThe potential knock-on effects for clients, contractors, SMEs, and large employersRisks around transfer fees, compliance costs, and employment tribunal claimsWhy many agencies fear this could reduce hiring, increase costs, and hinder growthThe unintended consequences that policymakers may not have fully consideredHow recruitment businesses can influence the consultation before legislation is finalisedThe role of ARC (Association of Recruitment Consultancies) and Lawspeed in helping the industry navigate these changes This is an essential listen for anyone involved in recruitment, staffing, workforce planning, HR, temporary labour, contractor management, or employment law. Who This Episode Is For Recruitment agency ownersStaffing and workforce solution providersTemporary recruitment specialistsContract recruitment businessesHR leaders and hiring managersRecruitment consultants and directorsCompliance professionalsEmployment law specialistsWorkforce planning teamsBusiness owners reliant on temporary labour 🔗 Connect with the guests Adrian Marlowe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianmarlowe/ Theresa Mimnagh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresamimnagh/ Learn more about Lawspeed: https://www.rectools.io/product/lawspeed/ Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC): https://www.arc-org.net/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ Listen to RecTalk on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #Recruitment #StaffingIndustry #RecruitmentAgency #TemporaryRecruitment #ContractRecruitment #EmploymentLaw #Lawspeed #ARC #AgencyWorkers #AWR #GuaranteedHours #RecruitmentCompliance #WorkforcePlanning #RecruitmentLeadership #Hiring #Contractors #UKRecruitment #FutureOfWork #NitinSharma

    1h 1m

  4. Jun 24

    Live at IHR Manchester: How Handshake Is Transforming Early Talent Hiring with Peter O'Rourke

    Recorded live from the IHR Live Lounge in Manchester, this special edition of RecTalk sees Nitin Sharma joined by co-host Sean Kennedy from Talking Talent, alongside Peter O'Rourke from Handshake, one of the fastest-growing early talent platforms helping employers connect with students and graduates at scale. In this episode, Peter explains why Handshake is much more than a job board. With over one million students on the platform, Handshake focuses on precision hiring, helping employers build meaningful relationships with future talent long before graduation. The conversation explores how employers can reduce application overload, improve candidate quality, create stronger graduate pipelines, and build employer brands that resonate with the next generation of workers. Nitin and Sean challenge Peter on some of the biggest questions facing early talent recruitment today, including: Why graduate recruitment is broken for many employersThe problem of receiving thousands of applications but making very few hiresHow students can stand out without traditional work experienceThe role of skills, extracurricular activities and personal interests in hiring decisionsDiversity, inclusion and underrepresented talent pipelinesThe future of university education and graduate employmentHow AI, automation and global remote work are reshaping early careersWhy businesses should invest in graduates beyond salary savingsBuilding long-term talent strategies through employer branding and relationship building The episode also features a follow-up discussion with three University of Liverpool students who actively use Handshake: Noor – Fifth-year Medical StudentMary – Second-year English StudentYusuf – Second-year Computer Science Student Together they provide a candid view of what it's really like entering today's job market. They discuss the challenges students face when searching for opportunities, the frustrations of generic hiring processes, the importance of networking, personalisation in recruitment, and why resilience remains one of the most important skills for job seekers. Some standout takeaways include: Why students feel like "just another application" in many hiring processesThe value of meaningful employer interaction before applyingHow personalised recruitment experiences create better outcomesWhy quality applications outperform quantity applicationsThe importance of consistency, resilience and relationship buildingHow employers can better engage Generation Z talentPractical advice for students navigating an increasingly competitive jobs market Whether you're an employer hiring graduates, an early careers professional, a recruiter looking to improve candidate engagement, or a student preparing to enter the workforce, this episode offers valuable insight into the future of talent acquisition from both sides of the hiring equation. 🔗 Connect with the guest Peter O’Rourke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-orourke/ Learn more about Handshake: https://joinhandshake.co.uk/ 🔗 Connect with the hosts Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Sean Kennedy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanthetaguy/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ Listen to RecTalk on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #Handshake #GraduateRecruitment #EarlyCareers #TalentAcquisition #EmployerBranding #StudentRecruitment #FutureOfWork #HiringStrategy #RecruitmentTechnology #IHRLive #UniversityRecruitment #HRTech #GraduateHiring #RecruitmentPodcast #NitinSharma #SeanKennedy #PeterORourke

    40 min

  5. Jun 23

    Recruitment Got Lazy? The Hard Truth About Hiring in 2026 | Akbar Karenga

    Is Talent Acquisition facing its biggest challenge yet?Recorded live at IHR Manchester, Nitin Sharma and Sean Kennedy sit down with talent acquisition leader Akbar Karenga for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of hiring, the state of recruitment, skills-based hiring, DE&I, neurodiversity, candidate experience and why the industry may have become too reliant on shortcuts.While everyone else is talking about AI, this conversation focuses on the fundamentals that actually matter:✅ Why recruitment "got lazy" after the post-Covid hiring boom✅ The growing importance of skills-based hiring✅ Why junior talent is disappearing from the market✅ How Talent Acquisition professionals can future-proof their careers✅ Neurodiversity, inclusion and designing better hiring processes✅ Why recruiters aren't going anywhere despite constant predictions of doom✅ The biggest trends shaping hiring over the next 12 monthsAkbar shares lessons from multiple economic downturns, challenges some of the industry's biggest assumptions, and explains why the best recruiters will continue to thrive regardless of technology or market conditions.🎙️ Guest: Akbar Karenga📍 Recorded live at IHR ManchesterSubscribe for weekly conversations with recruitment leaders, founders, talent acquisition professionals and industry experts.🔔 New episodes every Wednesday and Friday#Recruitment #TalentAcquisition #Hiring #HR #Recruiting #DEI #Neurodiversity #FutureOfWork #IHRManchester #RecTalkPodcast #TalentManagement #EmployerBranding #RecruitmentPodcast #HiringTrends #HRTech

    25 min

  6. Jun 19

    AI in Recruitment: Hype, Reality & The Future of Agency Growth with Dylan Humphreys & Poonam Mawani

    Is AI transforming recruitment for the better, or are agencies getting distracted by the hype? In this week's episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma is joined by Poonam Mawani from Azuki Accounts and AI consultant Dylan Humphreys from First Frontier AI for an honest, practical discussion about how recruitment businesses should be approaching AI today. Rather than focusing on shiny new tools and buzzwords, this episode dives into the real challenges recruitment agencies face every day—from CV overload and candidate engagement to business development, data quality, operational efficiency and the future of retained search. Poonam puts Dylan in the hot seat with a series of real-world recruitment challenges gathered from agency leaders, founders and operators across the industry. Together, they explore where AI can genuinely add value, where human expertise remains essential, and why many agencies are still solving the wrong problems. Key topics covered: • Why AI should be treated as an assistant, not a replacement for expertise • The importance of keeping humans "in the loop" • How poor prompting creates poor AI outcomes • Using AI to tackle CV overload and candidate screening • The ethics of AI-driven candidate data management • Why most recruitment businesses have a data problem, not an AI problem • How AI can improve business development through market intelligence and insights • The shift from contingent recruitment towards retained and consultancy-led models • Automation opportunities in recruitment operations, finance and back-office functions • The future of candidate engagement, outreach and relationship building • Why recruitment agencies should think of themselves as data businesses • Whether AI is a genuine revolution or simply another technology bubble One of the standout themes throughout the conversation is that agencies shouldn't start with AI tools—they should start with business problems. Dylan explains why successful AI adoption begins by identifying operational pain points and then determining whether AI, automation or process improvement is the right solution. Poonam also shares practical examples from finance and recruitment operations, highlighting how automation can eliminate repetitive tasks, improve reporting and free up consultants to focus on higher-value work. Who this episode is for: • Recruitment agency founders • Recruitment consultants and team leaders • Talent acquisition professionals • Recruitment operations specialists • Finance and back-office leaders in staffing businesses • Anyone exploring AI, automation and the future of recruitment 🔗 Connect with the guests Dylan Humphreys: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanjhumphreys/ First Frontier AI: https://firstfrontier.ai/ Poonam Mawani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/poonammawaniazuki/ Azuki Accounts: https://www.rectools.io/product/azuki-accounts/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ Listen to RecTalk on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #Recruitment #AI #RecruitmentTechnology #StaffingIndustry #TalentAcquisition #RecruitmentLeadership #Automation #FutureOfWork #RecruitmentOperations #RetainedSearch #BusinessDevelopment #DataDrivenRecruitment #RecTalk #RecTools #FirstFrontierAI #Azuki

    1h 15m

  7. Jun 17 ·  Bonus

    RecFest 2026 Preview The Human Advantage

    USE CODE RECTALK30RF at check out for 30% off!RecFest 2026 is nearly here, and we sat down to discuss what attendees can expect from the UK's biggest talent acquisition festival. From AI and automation to employer branding, hiring trends, networking opportunities, and the famous RecFest after-parties, we cover it all.Join RecTalk's Nitin Sharma and Talking Talent host Sean "The TA Guy" Kennedy as they give their unfiltered take on:🎪 What RecFest 2026 is really all about🤖 The "Human Advantage" theme and whether AI has gone too far📉 Why graduate hiring is falling and what it means for employers💼 The reality facing job seekers and green lanyard attendees🎤 The sessions we'd attend (and the ones we'd probably skip!)🎁 RecFest merch, exhibitors and supplier stands🍻 Networking, social selling and building genuine relationships🎙️ The huge guest lineup joining us live at RecFestWe'll also reveal some of the industry names expected to join us at the RecTalk podcast booth, including conversations with some of the biggest voices in recruitment, talent acquisition and HR tech.If you're attending RecFest this year, come and say hello.👇 Let us know in the comments:What's the one session, speaker or supplier you're most looking forward to seeing?#RecFest2026 #Recruitment #TalentAcquisition #HRTech #RecruitmentPodcast #RecTalk #ArtificialIntelligence #EmployerBranding #Hiring #Recruiters #HumanAdvantage #TalentStrategy #FutureOfWork #RecruitmentTechnology #SeanTheTAGuy #HungLee #ChadAndCheese #RecruitmentEvents

    47 min

  8. Jun 17

    Matt Fox on Selling Recruitment Businesses, Buy-and-Build & Why More Founders Are Looking to Exit

    In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down once again with Matt Fox, Founder of Exitus Advisory, to discuss one of the hottest topics in recruitment right now: selling recruitment businesses. Matt shares what he's seeing across the SME recruitment market, why more founders are considering an exit, and why buyer appetite remains surprisingly strong despite ongoing economic uncertainty. The conversation explores business valuations, buy-and-build strategies, deal structures, common misconceptions about selling a recruitment business, and what founders can do to maximise value before heading to market. The pair also discuss founder burnout, market volatility, the challenges recruitment leaders have faced over the last decade, and why many business owners are reassessing what success really looks like. Rather than chasing ever-increasing valuation targets, many founders are focusing on lifestyle, financial security, and reducing stress. Matt provides practical insight into: Why now may still be a good time to sell a recruitment businessThe current appetite from buyers in the recruitment marketHow buy-and-build groups evaluate acquisition opportunitiesWhat makes a recruitment business attractive to buyersCommon mistakes founders make when preparing for saleHow debt, liabilities, compliance issues, and operational challenges impact dealsThe importance of transparency during due diligenceReal-world examples of recent recruitment business transactionsThe role of specialist recruitment M&A advisors versus general business brokersHow recruitment business owners can prepare for a future exit strategy Whether you're actively considering an exit, exploring growth through acquisition, or simply curious about how recruitment M&A works, this episode is packed with practical advice and valuable market insight. 🔗 Connect with the guest Matt Fox: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-fox-50b10311/ Learn more about Exitus Advisory: https://www.rectools.io/product/exitus-advisory/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries) drop regularly on Wednesday and Friday. Also look out for new episodes of Talking Talent and The Mixed Grill (the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club). https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #Recruitment #RecruitmentBusiness #RecruitmentFounder #RecruitmentLeadership #BusinessSale #BusinessExit #RecruitmentMAndA #ExitStrategy #BuyAndBuild #RecruitmentIndustry #StaffingIndustry #MattFox #ExitusAdvisory #NitinSharma #Rectools

    35 min
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Welcome to RecTalk, the UK's biggest recruitment industry podcast on YouTube and a Top 15% Video Podcast on Spotify! Hear from trailblazers in the recruitment industry who want to have their say on all things recruitment - unbiased, unfiltered, unscripted.

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