References vs Back Channels: The Hidden Side of Hiring

The Recruiter's New Reality: Adapt or Get Left Behind.

Most people assume AI is coming to wipe out the recruiter. The reality is stranger. It won't replace the job, but it will quietly delete around 70% of what recruiters actually do, and the people who refuse to adapt won't be hireable in a few years' time. In this episode of Talent Unplugged Across the Pond, Marcus Pask and Megan Conlon sit down with Neil Davies, a man who has built and led talent acquisition at Enron, Microsoft, Visa, PayPal, Roku and Activision Blizzard, and who now runs IC2 Talent Acquisition Solutions. After 25 years in the game, and a refreshingly honest admission that it took him 20 of them to get good at it, Neil pulls back the curtain on what is really changing in hiring and what most people get wrong about it. You'll discover: * Why AI won't replace the TA function but will completely change it, and the one task every leader should automate first because nobody gets sued for it * Why Neil wouldn't tell his own kids to go into traditional recruiting, and what that means for anyone building a career in hiring today * The two skill sets every great recruiter needs, a chief revenue officer's operating brain and a chief people officer's relationship skills, and why the average head of TA lasts under two years * The real reason TA teams are under-resourced, with companies burning millions on agencies but unable to get one extra coordinator, and how to fix the operating model * Why no ATS is ever perfect, and the strategic question you must answer before you buy any new AI tool * When to say no and hit pause on shiny new tech, even after months of looking * The smarter way to run an internal talent market, and why "internal candidates should always get first refusal" misses the point This episode is essential listening for job seekers who want to understand how AI is reshaping the people sitting on the other side of the table, hiring leaders rethinking their tech stack and operating model, and TA professionals trying to future-proof their careers before the ground shifts under them. Don't let outdated thinking about recruiting catch you off guard. The job is being rewritten in real time, and the leaders who get it are already moving. Join us as we bust the myth that AI is simply here to replace recruiters. It isn't. It's quietly changing what the job even is, and Neil explains exactly what to do about it before everyone else catches up. Perfect for anyone in HR, recruitment, job searching, or talent leadership, hit play to hear one of the industry's most experienced TA leaders break down the biggest shift recruiting has ever seen.

References vs Back Channels: The Hidden Side of Hiring

Most candidates think reference checks are dead, but the truth is, they're still happening, just not in the way you'd expect. The bigger shift? Back channels, the off the record calls hiring teams make without you ever knowing. In this episode of Talent Unplugged Across the Pond, Marcus Pask and Megan Conlon pull back the curtain on what really goes on behind the scenes once you're deep in an interview process, and what every job seeker and hiring leader needs to know about it. From cross cultural feedback styles to summer holiday job search strategy, this episode covers the messy, human side of hiring that nobody talks about openly. You'll discover: * Why US teams thrive on public praise while UK and European teams might cringe at it, and what that means for how feedback should actually be delivered * The leadership lesson Megan still thinks about years later, and why constructive feedback in a group setting almost always backfires * Why you should never cancel a holiday for a new job offer, and how to handle time off conversations during an active interview process * The difference between a reference check and a back channel, and why one of them is riddled with bias * The guardrails every hiring leader should have in place before letting back channels influence a decision * Why references should be a data point, not a decision maker, and how to spot when they're being misused * The legal differences between Europe and the US that change the reference check game entirely This episode is essential listening for job seekers who want to understand what's really happening behind closed doors, hiring leaders looking to sharpen their process, and TA professionals navigating the murky ethics of modern recruitment. Don't let outdated assumptions about hiring catch you off guard. The process has evolved, and the people running it are using tools and tactics that most candidates never see. Join us as we bust the myth: reference checks aren't dead, they've just gone underground. Learn how to navigate them, when to push back, and what every hiring team should be doing to keep the process fair. Perfect for anyone in HR, recruitment, job searching, or talent leadership, hit play and find out what's really happening when the interviews end and the offer hasn't landed yet.

Myth Busting AI: Will It Save or Sink Recruiting?

Most recruiters think AI will take their jobs, but the truth is, automation is transforming how top talent gets hired, not replacing recruiters themselves. In this eye-opening episode of Talent Unplugged Across the Pond, Megan Conlon and Marcus Pask reveal why human intuition and relationship-building remain irreplaceable—even as AI tools become integral to hiring processes. From AI-driven interviews to skills-based hiring debates, learn how today's best companies are leaning into AI to streamline workflows while emphasizing the human touch that candidates still crave. You'll discover: * Why AI is more of an assistant than a replacer in talent acquisition, supporting recruiters with research, scheduling, and initial screenings. * The limitations of skills-based hiring for senior roles and why pedigree still matters in high-level recruitment. * How take-home assignments and mock intake sessions are revolutionizing candidate assessment, making interviews more effective and less biased. * The role of AI in candidate experience, highlighting that genuine human interaction remains crucial for engagement. * The real risks of over-reliance on AI, including fraudulent applications, and why balance is key. * How industry leaders are experimenting with AI’s potential, and why those who hesitate risk falling behind. This episode is essential listening for talent professionals eager to stay ahead of the curve, HR leaders curious about AI’s true impact, and candidates who want to understand how technology shapes their job search. Don’t let fear of automation hold you back, embrace the tools that will elevate your hiring game without losing the human element that makes recruitment special. Join us as we bust the myth: AI won't replace recruiters. Instead, it’s empowering them to do what they do best, building meaningful connections and making smarter, faster hires. Perfect for anyone in HR, recruitment, or hiring tech, hit play and discover why the future is human, enhanced by AI, not replaced by it.

Beyond the Commission: The Realities of Modern Recruiting

Welcome back to Talent Unplugged Across the Pond, where we strip away the corporate buzzwords to uncover the honest (and sometimes messy) truth about hiring. In this episode, hosts Marcus Pask and Megan Conlon dive deep into the evolving landscape of recruitment, candidate experience, and industry myths. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: * The Nuance of a Recruiter Screen: Why every initial conversation is a unique beast, ranging from informal "get to know you" chats to rigorous, formulaic deep dives. * The Art of Team Round Interviews: Exploring the shift toward multi-person, cross-functional evaluations and how candidates can navigate these high-stakes sessions. * Rapid Scale & Strategy: Marcus shares insights on growing a Talent Acquisition team from 13 to over 75 people and the logistical challenges of opening data centers worldwide. * The Candidate Journey: A look at the intense commitment required from candidates today and the ethical implications of "ghosting" from both sides of the table. * Myth Busting — "Do Recruiters Only Care About Commission?": Megan and Marcus break down the differences between agency models and in-house recruitment, discussing the tension between quality of hire and speed to fill. Whether you're a hiring manager, a talent professional, or a job seeker, this unfiltered conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build teams in today’s fast-paced market.

AI for interviews: How and when should you be using it?

In this episode of Talent Unplugged: Across the Pond, co-hosts Marcus Pask and Megan Conlon are joined by Chris Redmond, founder of RedOwl Talent. With a background spanning high-growth agencies and tech giants like Facebook and Dott, Chris shares his unfiltered perspective on the human element of HR and what it truly takes to build winning teams in today's competitive landscape. Dive into the conversation as we discuss: * The Startup Rollercoaster: Chris reflects on his journey from a two-person agency above a Hawaiian restaurant to scaling teams across Europe, and the importance of navigating the chaos of rapid growth. * The Strategic Shift: Why the Talent Acquisition (TA) function is evolving from operational to fractional and strategic, and how "embedded" recruiting is becoming a game-changer for modern businesses. * Myth Busting: AI in Interview Prep: Is using AI for live interview help a smart shortcut? Chris and the hosts break down why authentic, human conversation will always beat a rehearsed, AI-generated script. * Human Connections in an AI World: For job seekers, the cold application is dead. Chris explains why networking, LinkedIn engagement, and "proper stalking" are essential skills for landing your next big move. * The Power of Narrative: How senior recruiters and job seekers can use data and storytelling to win over the C-suite and build lasting professional trust. Join Marcus, Megan, and Chris as they peel back the curtain on the recruiting industry and provide actionable insights for founders, HR professionals, and anyone looking to make their next career move. Whether you're scaling a startup or searching for your next role, this episode offers the grounded, witty advice you need to navigate the often messy truth about hiring. Subscribe to Talent Unplugged on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcast. Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for more updates and discussions!