Is it cheating to use ChatGPT for your job application? That’s the question many recruiters are quietly asking themselves as AI-generated résumés flood their inboxes. At first glance, a copy-paste résumé straight out of ChatGPT might feel like a shortcut or even a fake. But what if it’s not as bad as it seems?

In this episode of Recruiting Is No Joke, host Joel Lalgee sits down with Steve O’Brien, a seasoned talent acquisition leader who’s seen it all from old-school executive search to cutting-edge AI tools.

Steve shares his winding journey through recruiting, HR tech, and leadership, but he doesn’t just stop at career highlights. He gets real about the messy reality of hiring: why some candidate experiences go sideways, the myths around AI “replacing” recruiters, and the overlooked role hiring managers play in breaking or sealing the deal. Steve shares a brilliant story of spotting a fake and explains why he’s surprisingly sympathetic. The key isn’t if you use AI, but how are you a strategic copilot or just on autopilot?

The conversation also  dives deep into how recruiters need to blend social intelligence, strategy, and technology to thrive. Can AI handle an intake call as well as a recruiter? Not yet. Can it help speed up tedious tasks? Absolutely. Steve argues the future isn’t about replacing humans, but about elevating them, letting tech handle the boring parts while people lean into judgment, persuasion, and connection.

If you’ve ever wondered what really kills a hire, why resumes feel more AI-written these days, or how “soft skills” quietly shape careers, this episode is a must-listen. Because in recruiting, the stakes are high and no, it’s definitely no joke. Let’s dive in!

In this episode:

[00:00] Introduction and guest background

[00:54] Steve’s career journey and transition to Syneos Health

[03:03] Steve’s current role and team scope

[04:33] AI and recruitment: Myths and realities

[05:10] Limits of AI in recruiting processes

[08:36] The art and social intelligence of recruiting

[11:27] Common deal killers in recruitment

[13:05] Role of hiring managers in recruitment outcomes

[15:15] Automation vs. human judgment in talent acquisition

[17:00] The great restructuring and future of work

[19:24] Limitations of generative AI and LLMs

[21:44] Effective use of AI as a copilot

[24:54] Practical AI use cases and user training

[29:14] AI-generated resumes and candidate evaluation

[34:52] Interviewing for AI literacy and strategic use

[38:29] AI’s impact on customer service and job replacement

[41:39] Soft skills, career growth, and workplace politics

[45:14] Closing and where to connect

About Steve O’Brien

Steve O’Brien is a veteran talent acquisition and HR tech leader with experience spanning agency, RPO, corporate, and startup environments. Currently at Syneos Health, he leads global recruiting, HR PMO, and workforce analytics, driving thousands of hires annually while shaping the future of TA tech and strategy. Steve is passionate about how AI can elevate—not replace—the human side of recruiting.

About Joel Lalgee 

Joel Lalgee is an internationally known recruitment leader and coach who has helped thousands of recruiters build their brands online. In 2015, Joel started recruiting for a small start-up agency in Milwaukee. He quickly found his passion for recruitment. In 2019, he discovered content marketing, publishing his first posts on Linkedin. Since then, he has grown to over 400k followers, and his content has been seen over 1 billion times. In 2023, he started a business specializing in coaching recruiters, marketing consulting, and influencer partnerships.

Steve O’Brien

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