Are fake candidates on the rise in 2025?

The rise of AI has made fake job applications more sophisticated than ever. In this episode, I’m joined by former FAANG recruiter, Stefanie Fackrell to discuss the rising challenge of candidate catfishing. Discover how AI tools, fake profiles, and interview fraud are impacting hiring teams. 

But instead of focusing on aggressive verification tactics that can harm diversity efforts, discover how to build genuine candidate relationships while protecting your hiring process. Learn why traditional screening methods are failing and get actionable strategies that work without compromising inclusive hiring practices.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The "bot vs. bot" era of hiring: AI tools on both sides
• Real stories of sophisticated hiring scams and their consequences
• Impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
• Building fraud-resistant hiring processes
• Balancing verification with candidate privacy

Perfect for recruiters, hiring managers, and TA leaders who want to stay ahead of this growing challenge.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Greenhouse AI use policy: https://www.greenhouse.com/guidelines-for-using-ai-in-our-interviewing-process

Reddit Thread on Fake applicants: https://www.reddit.com/r/recruiting/comments/1gkl0u6/fake_applicants_are_out_of_control/

📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 INTRODUCTION

00:00 The Bot vs. Bot Era of Hiring

05:11 Candidate Deceit: The New Norm

09:53 Ethics and Creativity in Job Applications

15:08 AI in Interviews: Resourceful or Deceptive?

19:51 Building Relationships in Recruitment

25:07 Navigating the New Hiring Landscape

29:53 The Future of Recruitment: Community and Connection

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ #24: Building a Neuro-inclusive Hiring Strategy with Tameka Allen

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH STEFANIE
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniefackrell-hr-rebel/

🌐 Website: https://www.dysruptivehr.com/

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social 
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Use Brain.fm to help you focus. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce

Create Candidate Email Campaigns using Nurture by Teamtailor link.rhonapierce.com/teamtailor

Learn how to build engaged talent pipelines and drive better hiring outcomes using email nurture campaigns. In this episode, I’m joined by TA Leader Brandon Jeffs. We discuss actionable strategies for recruiters and talent acquisition professionals to personalize their approach, streamline outreach, and create authentic connections with candidates.

Email is more than just a communication tool—it’s a powerful way to nurture candidates at every stage of the hiring funnel. Learn how to map the candidate journey, craft emails that get replies, and optimize your process to achieve incredible results.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How to design email nurture campaigns that boost candidate engagement.
• How to map the candidate journey and identify key touchpoints to nurture relationships.
• Why candidate nurturing is more than a one-time activity—it’s a daily practice.
• The role of authenticity in candidate engagement and how to make a lasting impression.

Brandon's Best Advice for Recruiters:

• Write emails for an "audience of one" to create personalized, impactful outreach.
• Leverage tools like email sequences and drip campaigns for targeted outreach.
• Focus on high-quality candidates instead of quantity to optimize results.
• Always add value—whether through advice, connections, or transparent communication.

*************
📧  Become a more strategic Recruiter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 INTRODUCTION

03:10 Candidate Nurturing: A Personal Approach

06:01 Strategic Time Management in Recruiting

08:45 Optimizing Candidate Engagement

12:10 Building Relationships in Recruiting

15:03 Leveraging Newsletters for Candidate Connection

17:53 Email Strategies for High Open Rates

30:55 Crafting Compelling Content for Candidates

33:44 Tech Stack for Effective Candidate Nurturing

39:50 The Future of Candidate Nurturing

46:20 Building Relationships: The Heart of Recruiting

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→  #14: Ditch the Cold Calls: Build a Talent Community Instead - with Taylor Desseyn

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH BRANDON
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandohires/

🎙️ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HS4AlUh90jnX5y7OijO0H

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social 
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498
 

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

-------
See why over 10,000+ businesses use Teamtailor to attract, hire, and retain top talent.
Visit teamtailor.com to book a demo. 

Want to build an employee advocacy program but don't know where to start? In this episode, employee advocacy expert Nicole Stephens reveals the frameworks and strategies that actually work, from highly regulated industries to Fortune 50 companies. Learn:

• Why authentic employee stories outperform corporate content
• How to help employees spot and share story-worthy moments
• The right way to use content libraries (and when to move beyond them)
• Measuring success without expensive tools
• Getting leadership buy-in for employee advocacy
• Balancing brand guidelines with authenticity

 Nicole shares practical examples from intern to C-suite level, explaining how companies of any size can build a powerful employee advocacy program that drives real results. Perfect for talent acquisition leaders, employer brand professionals, and business leaders looking to enhance their talent attraction through employee voices.

#EmployeeAdvocacy #EmployerBranding #TalentAcquisition #Recruiting #ContentStrategy #EmployeeGeneratedContent

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📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://perceptiblestudios.com/ 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 INTRODUCTION

01:03 Why Traditional Recruiting Content Doesn't Work 

04:20 Content Libraries: The Right Way to Use Them 

07:44 How Candidates Really Consume Employee Content 

10:21 Balancing Brand Guidelines with Authenticity 

13:48 Redefining Failure in Employee Advocacy 

20:33 Building an Employee Advocacy Program with Zero Budget 

24:54 Help Employees Find Story-Worthy Moments 

28:04 Entry-Level to C-Suite: Content That Works 

34:55 Overcoming Common Employee Advocacy Challenges 

43:15 The Future: When EGC Becomes Just Content 

45:42 Should You Pay Employees for Content?

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→  #16: Making the case for Hiring Manager branding with Carrie Corcoran

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH NICOLE
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolescoffey/ 

🌐 Website: https://nicolestephens.work/ 

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhonab
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/ 

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498
 

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Use Brain.fm to help you focus. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce

In this episode, we dive deep into employee onboarding with Amy Davies, founder of First 30. Learn why 33% of new hires leave within their first 6 months and how effective onboarding can save companies an average of $390,000 annually in turnover costs. 

Amy shares: 

- Why first impressions are crucial in employee retention 

- How pre-boarding sets the foundation for success 

- The true cost of poor onboarding practices 

- Practical strategies for creating an effective onboarding program 

- Ways to measure and prove onboarding ROI 

- How to get leadership buy-in for onboarding initiatives 

- Tips for managing onboarding content effectively 

- The importance of cross-functional relationships in onboarding 

Key Insights: 

💡 Successful onboarding goes beyond paperwork and orientation 

💡 Great onboarding can improve engagement by 82% 

💡 The importance of making employees feel psychologically safe 

💡 Why recruiters should stay involved in the onboarding process 

💡 How to create a "drip campaign" approach to onboarding information

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

📘Ideas to Get Your New Hires Off to a Great Start
https://first30ready.ck.page/onboardingebook

📘Strategies for Running Compassionate and Effective Layoffs
https://first30ready.ck.page/compassionatelayoffsebook

📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→  #6: Inclusive Hiring Starts with Effective Intake Calls with Kat Kibben

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH AMY
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviesamy/ 

🌐 Website: https://first30ready.com/ 

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@first30ready 

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhonab
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/ 

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Use Brain.fm to help you focus. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce

This episode is sponsored by Equity Activations

Around 20% of the population in the US is neurodivergent, yet most hiring processes contain significant barriers for neurodiverse candidates. If you’re not intentional about prioritizing neuro-inclusivity, AI-driven recruiting is going to make this worse!

So how can companies make sure they’re not unintentionally excluding neurodiverse talent?

My guest this week is Tameka Allen, a People & Culture consultant and the founder of ModCulture, a consultancy fostering business success through neuroinclusive work cultures.

In this interview, she emphasizes the importance of creating accessible hiring practices that accommodate diverse cognitive styles, the misconceptions surrounding neurodivergent candidates, and the need for organizations to adopt a growth mindset. Tameka shares practical steps for improving interview processes, the value of data in driving change, and the positive ripple effects of embracing neurodiversity in the workplace.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

📕 Embracing Neurodiversity in Hiring Quick start Guide: https://bit.ly/neurodivergenthiring
📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 INTRODUCTION

03:05 Personal Journey to Neuro-Inclusive Practices

05:53 Challenges Faced by Neurodivergent Candidates

08:49 The Importance of Inclusive Interview Processes

12:08 Common Misconceptions About Neurodivergent Candidates

14:58 Practical Accommodations for Neurodivergent Candidates

17:49 Data-Driven Approaches to Improve Hiring

21:06 The Ripple Effects of Neuro-Inclusive Hiring

23:56 Overcoming Resistance to Change in Hiring Practices

27:09 Small Changes for Immediate Impact

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→  #9: The Truth about Diversity Hiring - with Tara Turk-Haynes 

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH TAMEKA
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamekanallen/ 

🌐 Website: https://modculture.co/ 

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhonab
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/ 

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498
 
 

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Tara Turk-Haynes and her team at Equity Activations will partner with you to activate talent acquisition processes, learning and development programs, and employee engagement initiatives that drive measurable outcomes.

Learn more at equityactivations.com

Are you planning on creating content at the next conference you attend? There's more to conference content than just posting selfies. Mike Peditto shares his real experience creating content at RecFest USA and the practical lessons learned along the way.

You'll learn:

• How to plan your content strategy before the event
• Essential equipment for quality content creation
• Balancing being present vs. capturing content
• Tips for getting quality audio at busy events
• Best practices for editing and reviewing event footage
• Understanding and creating for your target audience

 RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

🎥 Create Video Clips using Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=throwouttheplaybook

 🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://throwouttheplaybook.com/video

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 INTRODUCTION

02:52 Lessons from RecFest: Content Creation Challenges

06:14 Planning and Equipment for Event Content

09:03 Balancing Presence and Content Creation

11:48 Engaging with Interviewees at Events

15:08 Editing and Reviewing Content

17:59 Target Audience and Content Strategy

24:12 Reflections and Future Plans

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ #14: Ditch the Cold Calls: Build a Talent Community Instead - with Taylor Desseyn

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH MIKE
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpeditto/ 

🎵 TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@realisticrecruiting 

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realisticrecruiting 

🎙️ Podcast: https://www.corporatepizzaparty.com/ 

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhonab
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/ 

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498
 
 

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Use Brain.fm to help you focus. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce

Do your hiring managers trust you? What about your manager? Recruiting is really hard if internal stakeholders don't trust you.

In this episode, I’m joined by Brooke Wheeler, a Talent Acquisition Leader who has mastered the art of building trust internally. She shares insights on building trust with hiring managers, overcoming feelings of being undervalued, and the significance of curiosity in recruitment. Brooke shares personal experiences and insights on empowering teams, managing up, and finding advocates within the workplace, emphasizing that effective communication and a proactive approach are essential for success in talent acquisition.

🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://throwouttheplaybook.com/video

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 INTRODUCTION

02:24 The Importance of Internal Branding

06:03 Overcoming Undervaluation in Recruitment

10:11 Navigating Company Culture and Positivity

13:32 Curiosity as a Tool for Building Relationships

17:40 Empowering Teams and Managing Up

21:28 Finding Advocates in the Workplace

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ #12: The Unstoppable Power of a Recruiter's Brand, with Anna Morgan

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH BROOKE
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookewheeler/ 

🌐 Website: https://restorationtalentsolutions.com/ 

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhonab
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/ 

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498
 

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Are you feeling stuck in your TA career? Dr. Jasmine Escalera reveals how to reinvent yourself without burning it all down.

Dr. Jasmine Escalera is a certified career and life coach with a PhD in Neuropharmacology. She's the founder of The Courage Crew, the only free online community dedicated to supporting women in reinventing their personal and professional lives.

In this conversation, Rhona and Dr. Jasmine discuss topics such as the misconceptions about career reinvention, how to overcome burnout in talent acquisition, redefining success metrics for TA professionals, the power of micro-changes in your career, and practical strategies for pushing beyond your comfort zone. They also explore the importance of aligning your career with your values and how to build resilience in the face of industry challenges.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

 
🎁 Join The Courage Crew for FREE: https://www.skool.com/the-courage-crew-kickstarter-3809/about 

🎧 Science-backed music for your brain. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce

🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://throwouttheplaybook.com/video

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 INTRODUCTION

02:15 Jasmine’s Reinvention Journey 

06:02 Breaking Toxic Patterns

12:33 Navigating Burnout in HR

18:12 Mindset Shifts for Transformation

24:08 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change

30:49 Redefining Success on Your Own Terms

48:00 Brain.fm Science-backed music for your brain

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH JASMINE
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-escalera/ 

🌐 Website: https://www.skool.com/the-courage-crew-kickstarter-3809/about 

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasmineescaleracoaching/
🎙️ Podcast: https://her-next-career-move.captivate.fm/listen 

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
  💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhonab
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/ 

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498
 

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Use Brain.fm to help you focus. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce

In this episode, Rhona Pierce and Kamara Toffolo discuss the intricacies of resume writing for talent acquisition professionals. They explore the challenges recruiters face in crafting their own resumes, the importance of quantifying accomplishments, and how to effectively showcase soft skills and leadership qualities. The conversation also delves into tailoring resumes for specific roles, leveraging employer branding experience, and navigating career changes. Additionally, they touch on the significance of staying competitive in a crowded job market and the responsible use of AI tools in the resume writing process. Kamara shares actionable takeaways for TA professionals to enhance their resumes and and stand out in the job market.

🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://throwouttheplaybook.com/video

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 INTRODUCTION

02:53 Quantifying Accomplishments in Talent Acquisition

06:07 Showcasing Soft Skills and Leadership

08:57 Tailoring Resumes for Specific Roles

12:13 Leveraging Employer Branding Experience

15:04 Navigating Career Changes in TA

17:53 Staying Competitive in a Crowded Market

21:12 Utilizing AI Tools Responsibly

24:05 Key Takeaways for TA Professionals

****
 🌟 CONNECT WITH KAMARA
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamarat/ 

🌐 Website: https://kamaratoffolo.com/ 

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kamaratoffolocareers 

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
  💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhonab
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/ 

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498
 

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Turn your podcast interviews into powerful recruiting content. In this solo episode, I share my strategy for maximizing the impact of your podcast guest appearances through strategic content repurposing.

You'll learn:

• Why repurposing podcast appearances is crucial for your personal brand
• How to identify the most valuable segments from your interviews
• Ways to transform one podcast appearance into multiple content pieces
• Using engagement metrics to guide your content strategy
• Practical tools like Claude and Opus Clip for efficient repurposing
• Creating blog posts, newsletters, and videos from your interviews

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

📗 Download Content Repurposing AI Prompts: https://link.rhonapierce.com/Prompts

🎥 Create Video Clips using Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=throwouttheplaybook

 ♻️ Repurpose Content Easier with CreatorHQ: https://creatorhq.co?aff=9qejn

🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://throwouttheplaybook.com/video

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 INTRODUCTION

00:58 Importance of Repurposing Content from Podcast Appearances

02:24 Identifying Valuable Talking Points for Repurposing

04:12 Creating Various Types of Content from a Podcast Interview

08:25 Streamlining the Content Repurposing Process with Tools

09:21 DEMO: Using Claude for Content Repurposing

15:34 DEMO: Using Opus Clip to Create Clips from Podcast Episodes

20:28 Introducing 'Level Up With Video' Service

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ #18: Visibility Creates Opportunity: How to be a great podcast guest with Orlando Haynes

****
  

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
  💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhonab
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/ 

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498
 
 

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Use Brain.fm to help you focus. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce