What if your hiring process worked better because it trusted people more?

Mike Joyner, Founding Partner at Growth by Design Talent, sits down with Shannon on the first episode of Offer Accepted Live to discuss what recruiting looks like in an AI-powered, resource-tight environment. With experience building teams at Apple, Facebook, and Pinterest, Mike brings a real-world view on how talent teams need to adapt.

He explains how emerging roles like career guides and AI coaches support both hiring managers and candidates.

The conversation covers what automation frees up, where trust gets built, and why job seekers might already be ahead of some employers. Mike also shares the habits that help teams stay curious, avoid overwhelm, and create standout experiences, even as things keep changing.

Key takeaways:

1. AI lifts load, not purpose: Automating routine work frees recruiters to invest human energy where relationships win offers.
2. Clarity beats fear: Clear policies on data and tool use encourage staff to explore new methods without risking trust.
3. Roles are shifting: Expect teams organized by problem skill and career stage rather than old functional silos.
4. Trust scales impact: Authentic messages, logical processes and real empathy create candidate memories that fuel long-term hiring success.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Trust at the core of hiring

(00:25) Introductions

(00:51) Guest profile: Mike Joyner

(02:12) Why talent teams must adapt in the AI era

(03:04) Lean teams and higher stakes per hire

(04:31) Using AI to give every candidate an executive experience

(06:32) Making innovation a habit through timeboxing

(10:03) Agility and upskilling in hiring

(12:08) Future team structures in talent acquisition

(22:56) A trust-based model for hiring excellence