Hi, I’m Josh!
Senior Full- Cycle Recruiter
SeniorTalent Sourcer
“I””I was lucky enough to hire Josh as a Recruiter for my experience hire recruiting team. We hit it off immediately, geeking out on technical sourcing gadget, tricks, and tips. He’s excellent at sourcing, candidate engagment, partnering with hiring teams, and closing candidates. He leaned in on areas that were new to him and picked things up immediately. He worked very hard as was both organized and methodical in his sourcing techniques. We had a blast and I can’t recommend hiring Josh enough. He’s an amazing asset to any recruiting team.” - Kathryn Knox, Senior Talent Acquisition Director, Advantage Solutions
AI Workflows in Recruiting Processes
Using AI tools in the recruiting process to improve efficiency. As we continue to integrate these tools into tha fabric of recruitment, they will become ubigquitous. I’ll give my take and breakdown as well as some thoghts on the fundamental Boolean and the appropriate applications.
LI Hiring Assistant
In my experience at Microsoft, which owns LinkedIn, I was able to use advanced features. Hiring Assistant uses agentic features including Email Personalization as is offered with the upper tier LinkedIn Recruiter licenses (Not Lite). I found the personalization was semi-detailed, but needed to be reviewed before sending. I would then copy this personalized email and send it to their personal or work email.
Here area few quick notes when setting up LinkedIn Hiring Assistant to enable the Prescreening feature: 1) As the Recruiter, you can determine the number of candidates for review and how many were outreached. 2) You can also determine if you want Personalized InMail outreach or to use a template. 3) When connected to your ATS, you see new applications via LinkedIn Easy Apply in your LinkedIn Project and in your ATS. 4) If you want to enable Hiring Assitant you can set it up in the Settings menu of a Job Post Project, use the +Hiring Assitant buttton on the jobs tab, or add the LinkedIn Job post URL as a prompt when starting a new sourcing project.
Thre is a robust Reporting tools that shows Metrics where the Hiring Assistant contributed to sourcing, applicant evaluation, messaging, and prescreening.
You can learn more here in LinkedIn Learning:
https://training.talent.linkedin.com/path/meet-hiring-assistant-for-recruiter-jobs#language_english
You can earn the assessment certification here:
https://training.talent.linkedin.com/ai-driven-excellence-li-hiring-assistant-assessment
Email Personalization
Mike Wolford, author the AI Recruiter and AI Recruiter 2.0, makes the statement that personalized emails increase response rates by 10%. Others claim as much as 20% increase.
This feature is what we all have been waiting for, the ability to automate. It’s only available on jobs that are posted on LinkedIn. You can send Personalized InMails and if the candidate responds that they are interested, it will automatically send tailored screening questions. From there you can schedule a phone or video screen.
Personalize Email Outreach using Google Gemini Opal
Don’t have LinkedIn Recruiter Hiring Assistant? No problem. Build you own mini-app to do Email Personalization. I did one through Google Gemini (paid) using the Opal or Gem mini app builder which is no code. Here is one version for one off emails:
https://opal.google/app/1Qe0mpzG14L0zdQCJ1ppI95IQ9_0yZeRW
Follow the prompts to create and refine the email. Copy and paste and you are off and running! Think of the possibilities for writing job descriptions and job posts.
Automated Presceen using Hiring Assitant
X-Ray a site. Search LinkedIn from Google with site:linkedin.com/in
Resume search with intitle: resume -job-jobs-sample
By document filetype. Filetype:pdf or filetype:csv
Use AI to help find alternative job titles and direct company competition.
Think:
Job Title
Location
RFQ
Roster
Directory
“our team”
Industry
Certification
License
Contract Schedule
Project Proposal
Academic Publications
Conference Speaker Lists
Code Repositories
Patent Database
Boolean Search Strings, X-Ray Search, and Alternative Talent Pools
The Basics are the Basics. Search using filters, job boards, or Natural Language tools are limited. Recruiters and companies depending on LinkedIn Recruiter, or LinkedIn Recruiter scraping alternatives i.e. HireEZ, are vulnerable to algorithm and pricing changes. Companies are ditching LI Recruiter because of the astronomical price. LinkedIn is responding by limiting what Recruiters can see. Savvy recruiters continue to be proficient in using Boolean to get more precise results. And Boolean can also be used within job boards and LinkedIn to find hidden candidates. LinkedIn is one channel, but not a complete strategy.
I’m searching for a postion posted by OpenAI, Machine Learning Engineer, Integrity. The source I’m X-Raying is called arXiv. Arvix is a open-source archive for Machine Learning Engineers. For this site, I’m not going to use common terms like Pytorch, LLM, or Tensorflow as this may be too broad. I use Gemini to give me some ideas for research topics.
Site: arxiv.org/pdf (RLHF OR SFT OR PPO OR “Model Quanization”)filetype.pdf
AI Powered Search Tools
In a competitive landscape in Talent Acquisition, companies are looking for Recruiters who have adapted to the Modern Search. One feature of AI tools is Natural Language Processing (NLP) Natural Language Search (NLS). These chatbot interfaces give recruiters a starting point for search and eliminate the need to use Boolean and also offer a voice interface. Recruiters can actually give a verbal prompt.
The question is: “How are you leveraging AI in Candidate Search?”
One explanation is that AI and Natural Language Search is now embedded into modern tools.
AI Search = Natural Language Search (NLS)
An intimidating part of Recruiters learning and becoming proficient in Boolean logic is syntax. Learning the operators, symbols, and wildcards and where they are placed within the string is going to produce different results. Misplaced quotation marks or parentheses can throw off your results.
The promise of NLS is to use the power of AI to:
Find Alternative Job Titles
Use of Plain English
Eliminates Syntax errors
Eliminates False positives
Fixes Misspellings
Includes Skill Synonyms
Faster, More Efficient Search
So, what’s the rub? Is Recruiting Search simply using AI tools that offer NLS? No. Just using AI features or NLS is another method. It’s not the only method.
The evolution of precision candidate search apart from Boolean Logic was Advanced Filters in LinkedIn Recruiter (2008) and Resume Database with filter search (2011).
Modern Recruiters need to well versed in Boolean Logic, Filter Search and AI/NLS Search.
HireEZ For Recruiters by Recruiters
AI within HireEZ means email personalization and automation. It also Data Enrichment, offers a Chrome Extension and pull through to your ATS from online profile. In my experience the contact information is often incorrect. There are features within HireEZ for Clearances and Availability. There is no verification on the clearance, HireEZ is guessing based on where they have been employed. There is Availability filter as well. This isn’t #opentowork. There is no opt-in by the candidate and it doesn’t pull from LinkedIn. Simply, availability is indicated because the candidate has been at the same company for 3+ years.
HireEZ is also using Natural Language Search (NLS) in several features with EZ Agent using prompts including search, reporting, and candidate match. This is available in the higher paid “Growth” tier and you know it by seeing the 🪄. Data point from Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Kaggle, and GitHub can also assist you in finding hidden talent.
Findem AI
Findem is primarily a Sourcing Tool that can be used as a replacement or supplement to LinkedIn. Although, it’ s not cheap ($8 K) and most teams would have to comit to one. This tool has been around since 2020 and it was key for Data Enhancement.
What makes Findem different?
3D Talent Data. This is Findem’s proprietary data gathered over 6 years that provides candidate insights. A Candidate Copilot is used to verify skills for Software Engineering candidates by verifying GitHub or StackOverflow code repositories. This feature will also match candidates to open job descriptions within your existing ATS, Talent Rediscovery. Other AI Agents within the platform perform ID Verification, Scheduling, Screening and Summaries, Calibration Agent, and Fia, a voice enabled recruiting assistant agent.
Pin
Easy. Affrodable. Individuals can get Pin for $100/month. Free trial. Great alternative to LI Recruiter. Tons of modern AI features that you would expect in a mordern CRM including Data Enrichment, Alternative Candidate Pools, and Email Sequencing and Personalization. A new feature is “Likely to Respond” indicator that may be a sign of availibility. You can also automate LinkedIn connection requests from Pin. So, this is the Golden combo we have all been looking for…automated sourcing and sequenced, personalized outreach.
Pin is a modern tool that utilizes Natural Language in the entire process from setting up a job and matching candidates. Your search is going to give you 30 different data points. I’ve used Pin during a trial period of two weeks and I feel that it provides excellent value and functionality.
Here are a couple YouTube videos that tell the story of Pin:
Metaview
AI Notetaking was Metaview’s entrance into the market. You can record and transcibe phone on video interviews. Free trial for 14 days and 25 interviews. It will put together one paragraph candidate summaries. I’ve used it and is impressive. This allows you to flow between screens all day and eliminate some of the heavy lifting. Paid version is unlimited interviews for $50/month.
Metaview has evolved and will continue to add features like Natural Language Search Sourcing. Free trail is 100 profiles. Pro is $100/month for 200 profiles. In my trail I have seen nothing but LinkedIn profiles. My search is indicating candidates with Clearances.
From my demo here is a screenshot of the Calibration process in the AI Sourcing. You can calibrate on each resume and give it specific prompts. I didn’t record a video because the process took several minutes and would be a boring video. You review 3 resumes to calibrate. No indicators of intent, availability or #opentowork.
Applicant Tracking Systems
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Applicant Tracking Systems 〰️
In my first recruiting position with Transystems I helped design a Career’s website and ATS that is still being used. I’ve been fortune to use several. Often hiring managers will explicity list specific ATS experience as a job requirement. Recruiters will agree most ATS are similar and designed specificaly for ease of use by recruiters and transistioning between systems is part is painless. I want to highlight some features of systems that are adding functionality.
Greenhouse Plugin/Prospecting Tool
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Greenhouse has some powerful tools that may make in an option if you want to get away from the cost of LinkedIn Recruiter. One way in which Greenhouse in corporating AI is Data Enrichment or simply the ability to obtain the candidate’s email & phone from the platform with the extension. Greenhouse offers a great tool to obtain a candidate’s contact information with the Chrome Extension:
https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/naooopefdfeangnkgmjpklgblnfmbaea?utm_source=item-share-cb
If you are a Greenhouse user, you can quickly add a candidate from LinkedIn, Greenhouse doesn’t maintain a database of candidates. Users burn Lookup Credits for each lookup (HireEZ has a similar Data Enrichment Tool). Recruiters can add the prospect to a campaign or a job and start templated outreach or sequence. “Here’s how it works: if a prospect’s contact information is not listed in their profile on LinkedIn, GitHub, Indeed and AngelList, Greenhouse Sourcing Automation will run an email lookup to find that prospect's information. Our email lookup technology uses third-party data sources and verification checks to find accurate emails that would otherwise be difficult to find. In most instances, we can find emails 70–84% of the time when searching for personal emails and 80–85% of the time when searching for work emails.”
I’ve used Greenhouse in the past, but it’s time to clear the dust off this platform. Greenhouse has some powerful tools including the ability to text from the platform. Check out these exciting features like customizable Interview Scorecards, Interview Transcription, Resume Review (parsing), and a Report Assitant,
“Josh Rector is an absolute machine. He consistently builds strong candidate pipelines and fosters meaningful relationships with his candidates. The dedication and mastery of his craft is inspiring! We are luck to have him. “ - Aubrey Witherpoon, Talent Acquisition Lead. Raytheon.
Recruiting History
Not an exhaustive list. I’ve been fortunate to be able to work on roles in several industries and levels of seniority. The challenge of learning new technologies and vocubulary is truly an exciting part of the recruiting career journey.
AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science
Data Scientist
AI Engineer
Forward Deployed AI Engineer
Machine Learning Engineer
AI Program Manager
Computer Vision Engineer
Data Engineer
Artificial Intelligence Lead
Data Architect
Database Engineer
LLM Developer
Executive/Director
Director of Systems Engineer
Director of Electro-Optical Directorate
Vice President of Finance
Director of Software Engineering
Vice President of Operations
Chief Human Resources Officer
Infrastructure
Cloud Architect
Cloud Engineer
Technical Support Analyst
Infrastructure and Security Architect
Site Reliability Engineer
Systems Architect
Support Engineer
Functional Product Development
Program Manager
Technical Product Manager
Director, Software Engineering
Business Analyst
Product Owner
Project Coordinator
Project Manager
Software Engineering
Backend, Frontend, and Full Stack Engineer
DevOps and DevSecOps Engineers
Embedded Software Engineer
Front-End Software Engineer
Full-Stack Software Engineer
Gaming Software Engineer, Unreal & Unity
Control Systems Engineer
Agile Coach
RTE/Release Train Engineer
Scrum Master
Microservices Engineer
Autonomy Software Engineer
Autonomous Software Researcher
Electrical Engineering
PCB Layout and Design Engineer
Circuit Design Engineer
Power Conversion Electrical Engineer
Power Electronics Engineer
Electro-Optical Engineer
Electro-Mechanical Engineer
ECAD/PCB Layout Electical Engineer
Thermal Analysis
Radar Engineer
Electronic Packaging, Interconnect, and Wiring Harness Electrical Engineer
RF Circuit Design Engineer
RF Test Electrical Engineer
FPGA Engineer
ASIC Engineer
Antenna Design Engineer
Responsible Engineering Authority
Firmware Engineer
BMS Battery Managment System Electrical Engineer
EMI/EMC Electrical Engineer
Hardware Design Electrical Design Engineer
Interconnect & Wire Harness Electrical Engineer
Elecronic Packaging Electrical Engineer
HIL Hardware-In-The-Loop Engineeer
Motor Control Engineer
Semiconductor
IC Design & Layout
RTL Engineer
Yield Engineer
Layout & Fabrication
Process Engineer
Mechanical Engineering
Thermal Analysis Engineer
Structural Engineer
Liquid and Solid Rocket Propulsion Engineer
Nuclear Warhead Engineer
CFD, Fluids, and Cryogenic Engineer
Stress Engineer
FEA Analysis Engineer
Liquid & Solid Rocket Propulusion Engineer
Nuclear Warhead Engineer
Aerospace Engineer
Civil Engineering & Construction
Architect
Geotechnical Engineer
Construction Manager
Project Manager
Field Engineer
Wastewater Design Engineer
Data Center Electrical Design Engineer
Electrical Commissioning Engineer
Electrical Technicians
Model Based Systems Engineering
MBSE System Engineer
Modeling and Simulation Engineer
GNC Engineer
AFSIM Engineer
Anti-Tamper Engineer
Systems Integration & Test Engineer
Information Technology (IT)
Network Engineer
Systems Administrator
Windows Systems Administrator
Linux Systems Administrator
Database Engineer
Database Administrator
Infrastructure Engineer
Platform Engineer
VMWare Administrator
NOC Engineer
Help Desk Technician
Telephony Analyst
Software Configuration Manager
Endpoint Security Solution Architect
Endpoint Security Administrator
IT Architect
Avation & Aerospace
Avionic Engineer
Actuation Engineer
Avionics Test Engineer
A & P Mechanic
Flight Test Engineer
Flight Control Engineer
Sensor and Actuator Design Engineer
Computer Vision Engineer
Aerospace Engineer
GNC Engineer
Cyber
Network Security Engineer
DevSecOps Engineer
Cybersecurity Architect
SOC Security Analyst
Security Architect
Cyber Technical Lead
Senior Cybersecurity Engineer
Lead Analyst, Info Sec
Information System Security Officer
Information Systems Security Manager
Anti-Tamper Software Engineer
Help Desk Technician
Satellite (SATCOM)
Mission Systems
Command & Control Systems Engineer
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
Geospatial Intelligence Analyist
SIGINT Geospatial Analyst
ISR/EW Expert
Intelligence Analyst
Go-To-Market (GTM)
Account Executive
Solution Sales Specialist
Account Technology Strategist
Solution Engineer
Cloud Solution Architect
Customer Success Manager
Account Managers
Manufacturing
PLM Solution Architect
PLM Developer
PLM Engineer
Assembler
Manufacturing Engineer
Maintenance Technician
Material Review Board Engineer
QA Engineer & Analyst
PLC/Allen Bradley Electrical Engineer
Industrial Control Electrical Engineer
Material Handlers
Machine Operator
Data Center Electrical Design Engineer
PLM Engineer
Machinist
Advertising, Marketing & Creative
Brand Ambassador
Creative Director
GEO Specialist
Account Manager
AEO Manager
Art Director
Brand Strategist
Social Media Strategist
Content Strategist
AIO Strategist
LLM Visibility Analyst
Event Specialist
Marketing Specialist
Creative Services Manager
Digital Asset Manager
Digital Marketing Specialist
Marketing Data Analyst
UX/UI Designer
Copywriter
Category Manager
Business Analyst
Retail Media Specialist
Ad Buyer
Skilled Trades
Welders/Fitters
NDT Inspectors
CDL Driver
Equipment Operator
Mason
CNC Operator/Machinist
Construction Project Manager
Maintenance Mechanic
Tower Technicians
Tower Climber
Top Hand
Tower Foreman
Wireless Construction Manager
Cell Tower Crew Hand
Healthcare
Physician
Medical Director
Medical Assistant
Traveling Nurse
Corporate, Operations, and Executive
Vice President of Finance
Vice President of Operations
Chief Human Resources Officer
Pilot
Corporate Counsel
Human Resources Business Partner
Human Resources Generalist
Recruiter
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Planner/Scheduler
B2B Outside Sales Representative
Master Planner
Cost/Control Account Manager
Chief Technology Office
General and Administrative
Administrative Assistant
Receptionist
Finance, Accounting and Tax
Tax Preparer
Staff Accountant
Accounts Payable/Receivable
Controller
Get in Touch!
“Thanks for your amazing value that you brought to the team. Excellent quality candidates. You are a rockstar!” - Mary Ann Trulby, Supervisor, Microsoft
