The New Rules of Hiring: Tech, Trust, and the Human Touch

Episode Description In this episode of We’re Only Human, host Ben Eubanks sits down with Terry Terhark of NXTThing RPO to explore how hiring is evolving faster than ever in 2025 — and why keeping the human element in recruiting still matters more than ever. They discuss how organizations are adapting to unprecedented speed and scale in hiring, how AI and automation are reshaping recruiter roles, and where people still make the biggest impact in the process. Terry shares his unique perspective from decades in the talent space, including the balance between efficiency and empathy, the importance of culture fit, and how technology can empower — not replace — great recruiters. You’ll hear real-world insights on candidate experience, the future of RPO partnerships, and what leaders should prioritize to stay ahead in a tech-driven talent market. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 04:12 Why Hiring Is Moving Faster Than Ever 09:35 The Human Element: Why It Still Matters 14:58 How AI and Automation Are Changing Recruitment 19:47 Balancing Speed, Scale, and Candidate Experience 24:26 Building Trust and Culture in High-Volume Hiring 28:53 The Future of Recruiting Partnerships (RPO Insights) 33:10 What Leaders Should Focus On in 2025 36:42 Final Thoughts and Takeaways Links for show notes: Connect with NXTThing RPO: https://nxtthingrpo.com/ Connect with Terry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryterhark/ See the show archives and sign up for episode updates