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

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🌟 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.

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📧 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

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🌟 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

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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/

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//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