RecTalk Podcast - Explore Recruitment Insights

Hosted by Nitin Sharma, founder of rectools.io

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Episodes

345

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

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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60 recent

November 6, 20261 hr 14 min

Are You a High Performer or Just Highly Performative? | Smith & Mayhew, A-Game Consultancy

What does it really mean to be a high performer? And how do you know when your drive for success is helping you thrive — or leaving you feeling unfulfilled? In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Adam Smith and Adam Mayhew , co-founders of A-Game Consultancy , to explore the relationship between high performance, mindset, health and fulfilment. Smith and Mayhew work with successful men who want to perform at their best without sacrificing their wellbeing, relationships or sense of purpose. They share their own journeys into coaching, including personal experiences with alcohol, health, identity and the search for a more meaningful version of success. The conversation explores why high achievers can struggle to switch off, how the need for approval can shape our decisions, and why the question “Are you a high performer or just highly performative?” might be worth asking yourself. They also discuss: - Why successful men can still feel unfulfilled - The role of beliefs, conditioning and the need for validation - How alcohol, nutrition, sleep and lifestyle can affect performance - The challenges facing millennial men and changing ideas of masculinity - Balancing ambition, family life and personal wellbeing - Male mental health and why asking for help can feel difficult - Coaching tools including breathwork, meditation, journaling and self-reflection - The difference between supporting someone and enabling their behaviour - What fulfilment and success can look like beyond career achievements Smith and Mayhew explain how A-Game Consultancy brings mindset and lifestyle coaching together to help people understand what may be holding them back — and make changes that work for them. WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR This episode is for recruitment leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, high achievers and anyone who is ambitious but wants to think more deeply about what success means to them. If you’re constantly striving for the next milestone, finding it hard to switch off, or wondering whether your current definition of success is serving you, this conversation is well worth a listen. GUESTS Adam Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-smith-high-performance-coach/ Adam Mayhew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adammayhew/ Learn more about A-Game Consultancy: https://www.rectools.io/product/a-game/ HOST — Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS SourceWhale: https://www.sourcewhale.com/?utm_source=Rectools&utm_medium=Youtube&utm_campaign=podcast_TRN_paid_2026h2&utm_content=shownotes Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/rectalk CoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/ Wiggli: https://www.wiggli.io/ Spott: https://spott.io/ Find out more about RecTalk: https://rectalk.co.uk/ ▶ Watch this and every Recruitment Podcast Network show, free: https://recruitmentpodcastnetwork.com #RecTalk #Recruitment #Leadership #HighPerformance #MensMentalHealth #Mindset #Wellbeing #AWindowToSuccess #AGameConsultancy #PersonalDevelopment #RecruitmentIndustry

November 4, 202621 min

IHR Live: Geofencing, Employer Branding & the Future of Recruitment Marketing | Stephen Anderson

Welcome to another episode of RecTalk, coming to you live from IHR Live London 2026! In this episode, Nitin Sharma sits down with Stephen Anderson , CEO of Crooton , to explore how recruitment marketing is evolving, why engaging passive candidates requires a long-term approach, and how employers can reduce their cost per quality application through smarter, more targeted recruitment advertising. Crooton is a recruitment marketing specialist helping employers reach both active and passive candidates through location-based marketing, geofencing, digital out-of-home advertising, social media, print and more. As a newly recommended service provider on Rectools.io, Stephen shares how Crooton has evolved from a fixed-price recruitment business into a specialist recruitment marketing partner for enterprise organisations and RPOs. And there's plenty to get into! In this episode, we discuss: • Geofencing and location-based recruitment marketing: How Crooton uses mobile location data to build audiences around specific locations and deliver targeted recruitment advertising. • Reaching passive candidates: Why genuine candidate attraction is about building awareness and staying front of mind, rather than simply contacting people who might be open to a new role. • Employer branding and long-term recruitment strategy: Why an always-on employer brand campaign can deliver better results than switching recruitment advertising on and off whenever a hiring need arises. • Reducing cost per quality application: Stephen shares Crooton's experience and the potential for sustained employer branding campaigns to reduce cost per quality application by up to 50% over 12 months. • The power of multi-channel marketing: How combining geofencing with digital out-of-home advertising, billboards, bus stops, social media and traditional print can reinforce recruitment messaging. • AI, data and candidate attraction: How AI, third-party data and client-specific information help identify the right audiences and target recruitment marketing spend more effectively. • The changing recruitment advertising landscape: Why job boards remain important, but employers need to think beyond immediate hiring requirements and consider the long-term cost of candidate acquisition. If you're responsible for talent acquisition, recruitment marketing, employer branding or high-volume hiring, this is an episode worth your time. WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR This episode is particularly relevant for: • Talent Acquisition and HR leaders looking to improve candidate attraction. • Enterprise recruitment teams managing high-volume hiring. • RPOs and recruitment agencies exploring smarter recruitment marketing solutions. • Employer branding professionals looking to build long-term candidate engagement. • Recruitment leaders looking to reduce cost per hire and improve the quality of applications. • Anyone interested in geofencing, location-based marketing and the future of recruitment advertising. This episode was recorded live at IHR Live London 2026: https://www.inhouserecruitment.co.uk/ GUEST — Stephen Anderson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-anderson-993427a/ Learn more about Crooton: https://www.rectools.io/product/crooton/ HOST — Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS SourceWhale: https://www.sourcewhale.com/?utm_source=Rectools&utm_medium=Youtube&utm_campaign=podcast_TRN_paid_2026h2&utm_content=shownotes Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/rectalk CoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/ Wiggli: https://www.wiggli.io/ Spott: https://spott.io/ Find out more about RecTalk: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #RecruitmentMarketing #EmployerBranding #TalentAcquisition #Recruitment #Geofencing #CandidateAttraction #RecruitmentTechnology #HRTech #IHRLive2026 #Crooton #Rectools

November 3, 202634 min

TALKING TALENT - IHR Live: Is Talent Acquisition a Revenue-Generating Function? James Riley on the Future of TA

Recorded at IHR Live London 2026, this special Talking Talent episode brings together host Sean Kennedy, Nitin Sharma, and James Riley from Immersive for an honest, entertaining, and thought-provoking conversation about the state of talent acquisition. Is TA just about filling vacancies? Are in-house recruiters really failed agency recruiters? And why do so many businesses overlook the commercial value of their talent acquisition teams? James Riley joins Sean and Nitin to challenge some long-standing recruitment industry assumptions and explore what it really takes to be a great talent acquisition professional in today's changing world of work. With a decade of recruitment experience spanning agency and in-house environments, James shares his perspective on building relationships, influencing hiring managers, developing internal talent, and demonstrating the true value of TA. 💡 WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE 🔹 The Agency-to-In-House Journey Why James made the move from agency recruitment into talent acquisition, how his agency experience shaped his approach, and why the fundamentals of recruitment never disappear. 🔹 Is Talent Acquisition a Revenue-Generating Function? Why TA should be viewed as a strategic business partner rather than simply an HR function. We explore how recruitment directly contributes to business growth, revenue generation, and the success of major projects. 🔹 The Importance of Internal Mobility Why talent acquisition should be about more than bringing people into a business. We discuss internal career progression, identifying future leaders, and helping employees find opportunities within their organisations. 🔹 What Makes a Great TA Consultant? From understanding business needs to challenging hiring managers, using data, and becoming a trusted advisor, James explains what separates an effective talent partner from someone who simply fills vacancies. 🔹 How Agencies Can Build Better Relationships with TA What makes a great agency approach? Why generic cold calls and irrelevant CVs rarely work, and how considered spec-ins, market intelligence, and genuine relationships can help recruitment agencies stand out. 🔹 The Changing Relationship Between Agencies and In-House Recruiters Why collaboration, networking, and sharing knowledge can be more valuable than a traditional competitive mindset. 🔹 Practical Advice for Recruiters James shares advice for agency recruiters building their desks and TA professionals looking to demonstrate their value, embrace innovation, and become more commercially influential. 👥 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR - Talent Acquisition professionals looking to become more strategic business partners. - In-house recruiters who want to demonstrate their commercial impact. - Agency recruiters looking to build stronger relationships with internal TA teams. - Recruitment business owners and agency leaders interested in improving client relationships. - HR and People leaders exploring the future of talent acquisition. - Anyone interested in the changing recruitment industry and the future of work. GUEST — James Riley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-riley-7380875a/ Learn more about Immersive: https://www.immersivelabs.com/ HOSTS Sean Kennedy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanthetaguy/ Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ Find out more about RecTalk: https://rectalk.co.uk/ ▶ Watch this and every Recruitment Podcast Network show, free: https://recruitmentpodcastnetwork.com #RecTalk #TalkingTalent #TalentAcquisition #Recruitment #HR #InHouseRecruitment #AgencyRecruitment #RecruitmentIndustry #IHRLive2026 #Immersive #RecruitmentConsultant #TalentManagement #InternalMobility #RecruitmentPodcast

October 30, 20261 hr 12 min

Recruitment Is a Finance Business Disguised as a Sales Business | Louisa Plint, AuxPay

Recruitment founders are often brilliant at sales and building relationships—but how confident are they when it comes to managing the finances? In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma chats with Louisa Plint of AuxPay (by Auxeris) about the financial realities of running a recruitment business, learning hard lessons, and building a business that can survive and grow. WHAT WE DISCUSS - Why recruitment is as much a finance business as a sales business - Cash flow versus profitability—and why the difference matters - Managing VAT, PAYE, corporation tax and director’s loan accounts - Understanding your balance sheet, liabilities and insolvency risks - Why you need control of your accounting software and financial records - Negotiating with suppliers, lenders, HMRC and creditors when cash gets tight - The risks of long-term CRM and software contracts - Tracking monthly burn rate, forecasts and management accounts - Dealing with late-paying clients and protecting cash flow - How AuxPay can help address payment challenges in recruitment Louisa shares practical lessons from her experience, including the importance of understanding your numbers, asking difficult questions early and negotiating before problems escalate. WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR Recruitment agency owners, founders, managing directors and independent recruiters who want to: - Improve their understanding of business finances - Get ahead of cash flow problems and late payments - Make better decisions about contracts and suppliers - Understand their tax obligations and financial risks - Build a more resilient business that can scale—or be sold THE BIG TAKEAWAY Recruitment is a finance business disguised as a sales business. Know your numbers, stay in control of your cash flow and tackle financial problems early. GUEST — Louisa Plint: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisa-plint/ Learn more about AuxPay: https://www.rectools.io/product/auxpay-by-auxeris/ HOST — Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS SourceWhale: https://www.sourcewhale.com/?utm_source=Rectools&utm_medium=Youtube&utm_campaign=podcast_TRN_paid_2026h2&utm_content=shownotes Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/rectalk CoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/ Wiggli: https://www.wiggli.io/ Spott: https://spott.io/ Find out more about RecTalk: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #Recruitment #RecruitmentBusiness #RecruitmentFinance #CashFlow #BusinessFinance #AuxPay #Auxeris #Rectools #RecruitmentTechnology

October 28, 202655 min

Sarah Higgs: Why Your Recruitment Business Needs Fractional Support, Not Just a Virtual Assistant

In this episode, Nitin Sharma sits down with Sarah Higgs of Recruitment Angel to explore what it really means to have the right operational support behind your recruitment business — and why the traditional term “virtual assistant” might not do the job justice. Sarah is part of the RecTalk Media team and a founding member of the Recruitment Curry Club. With her recruitment and operations background, she and her UK-based team provide flexible, experienced support that helps recruitment founders spend less time buried in admin and more time growing their businesses. From managing a recruitment desk while a founder takes a three-and-a-half-week holiday to overseeing complex CRM migrations, Sarah shares real examples of how the right support can make a massive difference. 💡 What we discuss in this episode: • Beyond the virtual assistant: Why Recruitment Angel combines the flexibility of a VA with the experience and strategic input of fractional operational support. • Taking a proper holiday: How Sarah and her team managed a recruiter’s workload while he was away, including interview bookings, candidate communications, client feedback and a comprehensive handover on his return. • Inbox management and accountability: Why great support means more than clearing emails — it means following up, managing deadlines and making sure things actually get done. • CRM migrations without the chaos: How Recruitment Angel helps businesses manage data migration, liaise with CRM providers, check data accuracy and create practical training guides, walkthroughs and company playbooks. • Getting more from your recruitment technology: Why your CRM should be the heart of your business, and why keeping your data clean, current and properly organised matters more than constantly buying new tools. • Sarah’s favourite recruitment and business tools: Her thoughts on Outlook versus Gmail, Microsoft Teams versus Zoom, Xero, Calendly and recruitment CRMs such as Bullhorn and LOXO. • Marketing and market intelligence: How Sarah and her team support podcast guest management, marketing collateral, salary guides and more detailed market insight reports that help recruiters demonstrate their expertise. • A sounding board for founders: Why having someone who understands recruitment, challenges your ideas and helps turn them into an actionable plan can be invaluable when you're running a business alone. • Imposter syndrome and founder confidence: Sarah’s advice for dealing with setbacks, recognising how far you’ve come and backing yourself through the inevitable ups and downs of recruitment. This episode is particularly relevant if you're: - A solo recruiter or recruitment business founder trying to do everything yourself. - Running a small recruitment agency or recruitment technology business. - Spending too much time on administration, inbox management and operational tasks. - Considering a CRM migration or struggling to get the most out of your existing recruitment technology. - Looking for flexible, experienced support without hiring another full-time employee. GUEST — Sarah Higgs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhiggs01/ Learn more about Recruitment Angel: https://www.rectools.io/product/recruitment-angel/ HOST — Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS SourceWhale: https://www.sourcewhale.com/?utm_source=Rectools&utm_medium=Youtube&utm_campaign=podcast_TRN_paid_2026h2&utm_content=shownotes Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/rectalk CoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/ Wiggli: https://www.wiggli.io/ Spott: https://spott.io/ Find out more about RecTalk: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #Recruitment #RecruitmentAgency #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentAngel #SarahHiggs #NitinSharma #RecruitmentBusiness #VirtualAssistant #FractionalSupport #RecruitmentOperations #CRM #RecruitmentConsultant #BusinessGrowth

October 27, 202621 min

TALKING TALENT - Ending Candidate Ghosting: How AI Is Changing Talent Acquisition | Pete Van Neste, Pinpoint

Can AI make recruitment more human? 🤔 In this episode of Talking Talent meets RecTalk, recorded live at IHR Live London 2026, Sean Kennedy and Nitin Sharma are joined by Pete Van Neste, Chief Revenue Officer at Pinpoint, to discuss one of the biggest questions facing talent acquisition teams today: how can we use AI and automation without losing the human touch? With recruitment teams under pressure to do more with less, AI is becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation. But while some organisations are racing to adopt new technology, others are concerned about candidate experience, personalisation and what automation means for the future of recruitment. Pete shares what he’s hearing from talent teams, how recruitment technology is evolving, and why automation could be the key to building more human, candidate-centric hiring processes. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: • AI and automation in recruitment: Why some teams are embracing the technology while others are still figuring out where to start. • Ending candidate ghosting: How proactive updates, automated reminders and response-time SLAs can help ensure candidates aren’t left wondering what’s happening. • Making candidate experience more human: Why automation should support recruiters, not replace meaningful conversations. • Personalised candidate communication: How AI can help recruiters provide more relevant updates, thoughtful rejection feedback and tailored interview conversations. • The power of recruitment data: Using candidate wait times, interview notes, transcripts and scorecards to identify bottlenecks and improve hiring processes. • AI-powered recruitment workflows: How proactive alerts and automation can help recruiters and hiring managers stay on track. • The future of AI agents: Pete’s prediction for recruitment processes increasingly managed by AI agents, with humans involved at the moments that matter. • Smarter hiring decisions: How AI can help teams improve their processes, reduce duplicated assessments and learn from previous hiring outcomes. • Hiring for skills and potential: Why finding the right person means balancing the skills needed today with the ability to learn, grow and scale with the business. 💡 ONE KEY TAKEAWAY Automation shouldn’t mean less human connection. Done well, it gives recruiters more time to focus on the conversations that matter, while ensuring every candidate receives timely communication, clearer expectations and a better experience. 👥 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR This episode is for talent acquisition leaders, in-house recruiters, HR professionals, recruitment technology providers, employer branding teams and hiring managers who want to understand how AI can improve recruitment without compromising the candidate experience. Whether you’re already experimenting with AI or still working out where it fits into your hiring strategy, this conversation offers practical ideas for making automation work for people. In-house recruitment professionals came together to discuss the challenges, ideas and innovations shaping the future of talent acquisition. This episode is part of the Talking Talent x RecTalk conversations from the event. If you enjoyed the conversation, like, share and subscribe for more discussions with the people and businesses shaping recruitment. GUEST — Pete Van Neste: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-van-neste/ Learn more about Pinpoint: https://www.pinpointhq.com/ HOSTS Sean Kennedy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanthetaguy/ Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Recorded live at IHR Live London 2026: https://www.inhouserecruitment.co.uk/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ Find out more about RecTalk: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #TalkingTalent #Recruitment #TalentAcquisition #HR #RecruitmentTechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #AIinRecruitment #CandidateExperience #Automation #Pinpoint #IHRLive2026

October 23, 202645 min

International Recruitment Expansion: What UK Recruiters Get Wrong About the US Market

In this special episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma hosts a TEAM International panel discussion (in partnership with TEAM Network) at Totaljobs HQ in London, exploring one of the biggest opportunities for recruitment businesses today: international expansion. Thinking about taking your recruitment business into the US, Australia, Canada or beyond? Before you invest in new technology, launch a new website or start targeting overseas clients, there are some important lessons to learn from people who work with recruitment businesses every day. Joining Nitin are four recruitment technology experts: 🔹 Emily White – Lead Account Manager at SourceWhale 🔹 Gordon Webb – Sales Director at Shazamme 🔹 Rohit Kapoor – Co-founder of Paiger 🔹 Nick Browne – Co-founder of Devyce 🌍 WHAT THEY DISCUSS • International expansion: Why the US market isn't simply an extension of the UK, and why a successful domestic recruitment business can't assume it will succeed overseas. • Choosing your target market: Why focusing on a specific state, city, niche and initial list of 100 target companies can be more effective than trying to tackle an entire country. • Localisation and credibility: Why changing your domain name and getting a local phone number isn't enough. Your website, terminology, salary information, workflows, testimonials and client experience all need to reflect the market you're entering. • Learning from mistakes: How poor localisation, excessive technology, weak market research and underestimating local competitors can undermine international expansion. • AI, automation and recruitment data: How recording conversations, capturing candidate preferences and analysing outreach can help recruiters make smarter decisions and build more effective campaigns. • The recruitment tech stack in 2026: From AI-powered meeting assistants and large language models to CRM integrations, automation and all-in-one recruitment platforms, they explore where recruiters should invest their time and money. • The future of recruitment technology: Why the industry could be moving towards fewer, more integrated tools rather than an increasingly complicated collection of disconnected systems. • The human element: Why technology can improve efficiency, but relationships, conversations, credibility and understanding your clients' businesses remain essential. • Entering the US market responsibly: Why international recruiters need to understand established local practices, respect existing supplier relationships and avoid assuming that the market will work the same way as it does at home. 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE PANEL Emily White: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-white-sw/ Gordon Webb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordonwebb1/ Rohit Kapoor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-kapoor-/ Nick Browne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-browne-a8a829147/ TEAM Network – Learn more about the recruitment community and its events: https://www.theteamnetwork.co.uk/ Totaljobs – Explore recruitment solutions: https://www.totaljobs.com/recruiters/ HOST — Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS SourceWhale: https://www.sourcewhale.com/?utm_source=Rectools&utm_medium=Youtube&utm_campaign=podcast_TRN_paid_2026h2&utm_content=shownotes Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/rectalk CoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/ Agile Partnering: https://www.agilepartnering.com/ Listen to RecTalk on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #Recruitment #RecruitmentBusiness #InternationalExpansion #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentTech #AIinRecruitment #RecruitmentAutomation #USRecruitment #RecruitmentAgency #TEAMInternational #Totaljobs

October 21, 202629 min

AI Is Useless Without Your Data | Tom at Bullhorn HQ

What’s the point of investing in AI if your recruitment data is a mess? In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma is once again at Bullhorn HQ in London, to sit down with Tom, Engagement Manager of Customer Success at Bullhorn, to discuss one of the most overlooked challenges in recruitment: getting your data right. With over seven years at Bullhorn and a background in recruitment himself, Tom shares why recruitment businesses need to stop chasing the latest AI tools and start focusing on the foundations that make those tools useful: consistent data, effective CRM adoption and better ways of working. Because whether you're running a recruitment agency or managing a team of consultants, your database is only as valuable as the information you put into it. 🔥 WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: 📊 Why data quality matters more than data quantity Having thousands of candidate records means very little if the information is inconsistent, incomplete or inaccurate. Tom explains why standardising the data consultants capture is more valuable than asking them to record everything. 🤖 Why AI is useless without good recruitment data AI might be transforming the industry, but it can't deliver meaningful results without reliable information to work with. Before investing in more tools, recruitment businesses need to get their data foundations right. ⚙️ Getting more out of your recruitment CRM Are you really using your existing tech stack to its full potential? Tom discusses why recruitment leaders should focus on optimising the systems they're already paying for before adding more technology. 📝 AI note-takers: helpful assistant or lazy habit? AI-powered note-taking can save time and improve focus, but are recruiters losing the personal touch? We explore how AI can capture useful information while still requiring consultants to review, validate and act on it. 🎯 Making your CRM your single source of truth With new recruitment tools appearing all the time, how do you prevent your consultants from spreading information across multiple platforms? Tom explains why a centralised, well-maintained CRM remains essential. 💎 The hidden value in your recruitment database Names, job titles and email addresses can be bought or sourced elsewhere. The real value lies in the information you build through relationships: motivations, salary expectations, notice periods, career aspirations and client relationships. 🤝 Why the human side of recruitment still matters As AI and automation become more prevalent, genuine conversations, trust and relationship-building could become even more important. We discuss why human interaction remains a key differentiator for recruitment businesses. 📈 Changing customer expectations Tom shares how Bullhorn customers are increasingly looking to optimise the systems they already have, improve adoption and identify gaps in their workflows as their awareness of technology grows. 📍 FILMED AT BULLHORN HQ, LONDON A huge thank you to the Bullhorn team for hosting us. GUEST — Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-s-586b7117b/ Find out more about Bullhorn: http://www.rectools.io/product/bullhorn/ HOST — Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS SourceWhale: https://www.sourcewhale.com/?utm_source=Rectools&utm_medium=Youtube&utm_campaign=podcast_TRN_paid_2026h2&utm_content=shownotes Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/rectalk CoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/ Agile Partnering: https://www.agilepartnering.com/ Listen to RecTalk on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #Recruitment #Bullhorn #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentSoftware #ArtificialIntelligence #RecruitmentAI #DataQuality #CRM #CustomerSuccess #Staffing #RecruitmentIndustry #RecruitmentLeadership

October 20, 202616 min

TALKING TALENT - Inside IHR Live London 2026: Early Careers, Authentic Content & The Power of In-Person Events

This crossover episode of Talking Talent and RecTalk, hosted by Sean Kennedy (The TA Guy) and Nitin Sharma, kicks off our coverage of one of the talent industry's standout events, IHR Live London 2026, bringing together recruitment professionals, industry leaders and suppliers for a day of ideas, conversations and connections. We're joined by three guests who share their perspectives on the talent industry, the power of community and what it takes to make events like IHR Live stand out. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE We kick things off with Sunjay Vyas from behind the camera, who is producing RecTalk's coverage at IHR Live London 2026. We chat about the fun of creating content at industry events, the value of connecting with people, and how his business has evolved from building a recruitment audience on LinkedIn to helping brands generate leads and demo bookings. We also explore why authenticity, personality and creative freedom matter when creating content that cuts through the noise on social media. Next, Simon Reichwald explains why he founded UnTapped Talent UK to help young people transition from education into employment. With decades of experience in early careers, Simon discusses the challenges facing young people entering the workplace, the impact of work readiness on business productivity, and why events like IHR provide valuable opportunities to share honest experiences and learn from others. Finally, Tom Guy joins us to talk about what makes IHR Live work. From creating memorable exhibitor activations to bringing the talent community together, Tom shares how listening to members shapes IHR's events strategy. We explore the growing popularity of face-to-face events, the expansion into early careers and AI-focused conferences, and the challenge of balancing busy sessions with meaningful networking and speaking opportunities. 👥 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR • In-house talent acquisition and recruitment professionals • Early careers, graduate recruitment and apprenticeship specialists • Recruitment technology vendors and talent industry suppliers • Employer branding, content marketing and social selling professionals • Event organisers and anyone interested in the future of recruitment events • Anyone looking to build stronger connections across the talent industry 💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS • Authenticity and personality can help recruitment brands stand out in crowded LinkedIn feeds. • Businesses and content creators need to evolve with customer needs and market demand. • Helping young people become work-ready benefits both individuals and employers. • Great industry events start with listening to the audience and creating experiences people genuinely value. • Face-to-face events remain powerful for networking, sharing ideas and building relationships, even as the events calendar becomes increasingly crowded. If you're part of the talent community, we'd love to hear your thoughts. What makes an industry event genuinely valuable, and how can we make recruitment content more authentic? GUESTS Sunjay Vyas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunjayvyas/ Simon Reichwald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonreichwald/ Tom Guy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-guy-6929b4151/ Find out more about IHR Live and the wider In-House Recruitment community: https://www.inhouserecruitment.co.uk/ HOSTS Sean Kennedy (The TA Guy): https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanthetaguy/ 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 #TalkingTalent #IHRLive #InHouseRecruitment #TalentAcquisition #Recruitment #EarlyCareers #EmployerBranding #RecruitmentMarketing #HRTech #RecruitmentEvents

October 16, 202633 min

Bullhorn for Small Recruitment Agencies? Dominic Herbert on AI & the Future of Recruitment Tech

Is Bullhorn just for the big recruitment agencies, or can smaller businesses get real value from it too? In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma heads to Bullhorn HQ in London to sit down with Dominic Herbert , Senior Manager of Global Sales for SMB at Bullhorn , to challenge some of the biggest misconceptions about recruitment technology and explore how smaller agencies can build, scale and compete in an increasingly AI-driven industry. With over 10 years at Bullhorn, Dom has seen the recruitment technology landscape evolve dramatically. Together, they discuss Bullhorn's offering for small and medium-sized recruitment businesses, why copying the tech stack of a large agency isn't always the right approach, and how independent recruiters can build a technology setup that supports their ambitions. They also get into the realities of running a recruitment business in 2026, from AI and automation to agency survival, international expansion and the pressure to grow without simply adding more headcount. IN THIS EPISODE Nitin and Dom explore whether Bullhorn is a realistic option for smaller agencies, how recruiters can customise their workflows, and what Bullhorn's acquisitions of cube19 and Invenias mean for different recruitment business models, including executive search. They discuss how AI can help smaller agencies operate at scale, improve productivity and reclaim valuable time, rather than simply replacing people or cutting costs. Dom also shares his perspective on the challenges facing early-stage recruitment businesses, why the right CRM and connected specialist tools matter, and how to identify where AI can make a genuine difference. The conversation finishes with practical advice for recruitment founders: build a solid technology foundation, experiment with AI, and focus on solving real business problems rather than adopting technology just because everyone else is doing it. WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR Independent recruiters, solo founders, small recruitment agency owners and recruitment leaders who want to build a more efficient, scalable business. Whether you're launching an agency, reviewing your CRM, exploring AI or looking to grow without increasing headcount, this episode offers plenty to think about. GUEST — Dominic Herbert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-herbert-8317b99a/ Also featuring: Katie McLaughlin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-mclaughlin-811338176/ Azam Malik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azam-malik-6371a5370/ Jason Tekyi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-tekyi-2991601a3/ Find out more about Bullhorn: https://www.rectools.io/product/bullhorn/ HOST — Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS SourceWhale: https://www.sourcewhale.com/?utm_source=Rectools&utm_medium=Youtube&utm_campaign=podcast_TRN_paid_2026h2&utm_content=shownotes Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/rectalk CoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/ Agile Partnering: https://www.agilepartnering.com/ Listen to RecTalk on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #Bullhorn #Recruitment #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentAgency #RecruitmentTech #ArtificialIntelligence #AIinRecruitment #RecruitmentCRM #StaffingIndustry #RecruitmentBusiness #Rectools