Same, same, but different. In a labor market increasingly defined by talent shortages, hybrid structures, and declining employee loyalty, recruitment is undergoing a fundamental transformation. It’s no longer enough to scan résumés for keywords or to focus on “cultural fit” – that is, whether someone seems to fit into the existing company culture. To recruit successfully and retain talent long-term, we need to dig deeper. What matters is not whether a candidate “thinks like u

Employer branding is facing a crisis of trust. According to a recent analysis by Employer Branding News , fewer than 20 percent of companies can demonstrate the ROI of their employer branding activities. In most cases, no solid data proves that branding or communication efforts actually lead to faster hiring, better candidates, or lower turnover. The issue isn’t with the concept itself — it’s with the execution. For too long, employer branding has relied on glossy campaigns a

Discussions on talent shortages usually focus on graduates, immigration, or automation. Rarely do we address the immediate value of professionals aged 50+. It matters—especially now, as shown in my recent Basel impulse session. The situation is tighter than ever, and alarmist headlines don’t help. There’s also serious work: Outsourcing consultancy von Rundstedt has pre-announced a new “55plus” study (publication scheduled mid-November). The preview already highlights demograp

It will crash without silver necks. Even if the economy is wobbling at the moment, Germany’s shortage of skilled labor is a structural reality and one of the country’s biggest economic challenges. Across nearly all industries – from crafts to care, education, and IT – qualified workers are in short supply. The new federal government under Friedrich Merz has introduced the so-called “Active Pension” (Aktiv-Rente)  – an initiative designed to motivate older employees to continu

Illusion: The risk-free recruiting Recruiting isn’t an “HR topic” anymore. Every manager who hires is, in effect, a recruiter — whether...

I recently saw a viral "Job Ad from Hell" on LinkedIn—hilarious for all the wrong reasons. It’s a prime example of clumsy AI use in recruiting, and a reminder that DEI standards still vary greatly by region. JobAd from hell. Rather than focusing on poor examples, I wanted to explore what happens when AI is given a genuinely useful task. To explore this, I prompted my favorite assistant to analyze what the “perfect” job ad would look like for each generation, considering value

Since I keep getting asked about it, here’s a quick deep dive into the world of ATS technology. Before anyone panics, most companies...

Despite talent shortages and aging populations, age discrimination in hiring remains widespread. 50+ candidates are consistently...

AI in recruiting stopped being science fiction a while ago. CV screening, chatbots, matching tools – all here already. However, what’s...

As a recruiter, you typically conduct interviews, moderate assessment centers, and evaluate job candidates through tests. It’s easy to...

Work is evolving rapidly. Digitalization, shifting lifestyles, talent shortages, and demand for flexibility are sidelining traditional...

End at the door: Biased Recruiter. Recruiting presents numerous challenges, including talent shortages, rising candidate expectations,...

For decades, a career meant completing an apprenticeship or degree, joining a company, advancing for years, and eventually retiring. That...

In August 2025, SAP acquired SmartRecruiters, marking a significant disruption in the HR tech market. For many DACH companies, the ATS...

The world reels from conflict, economies slide into turmoil, and the prevailing mood is one of tension. Uncertainty permeates every team...

Yes, every company claims to be amazing—offering fantastic work culture, outstanding training opportunities, and unbeatable working...

AI in recruiting promises efficiency, better matching, and more transparency. But the algorithms often mirror hiring managers' biases,...

he news spread quickly across HR media: OpenAI plans to launch its own jobs platform in 2026  – powered by AI-driven matching and...

OpenAI’s announcement that it will launch its own jobs platform in 2026, complete with AI fluency certifications, raises pressing...

When discussing gender inequality in the labor market, pay gaps often dominate the conversation. However, a new, quieter divide is...