Hiring in the Age of AI: Balancing Technology and the Human Touch

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From the desk of Alexa Scalzi, Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer:

Technology has changed the game in how companies find and hire talent, no question. From automating workflows to uncovering talent faster than ever before, the technology we have at our fingertips is incredible. But here’s the catch (there’s always a catch): while efficiency is up, the human connection at the heart of successful hiring can get lost. And in an industry like ours, where trust and relationships mean everything, that’s a big problem.

For companies like yours, where culture and trust are paramount, this creates a dilemma. A hire isn’t a transaction—it’s a life decision for the candidate and a strategic investment for your business. So, the real question is: how do you leverage technology to enhance hiring outcomes without sacrificing the personal touch that makes the right candidates want to stay?

When Technology Works in Recruitment

Let’s face it—no employer can compete today without leveraging technology. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) keep everything organized, video platforms allow us to connect in real-time, and tools like “Easy Apply” make collecting applications easier than ever.

Here’s what tech gets right:

  • Faster processes: Speed is everything when you’re competing for top talent.
  • Efficiency: Automating time-consuming tasks like resume parsing gives you time to focus on relationship building.
  • Insights: Data-driven tools help spot patterns and allow you to make smarter hiring decisions.

 

The Gaps Technology Can’t Fill in the Hiring Process

But even the best tech has its limits. Today, 82% of companies use AI to screen resumes, 40% rely on it to communicate with applicants, and 64% turn to it to evaluate assignments or tests. On paper, that sounds like progress—streamlined processes, faster results. But here’s the thing: while AI is great at managing volume, it often falls short on depth. It can sort, sift, and score, but it can’t tell you how a candidate’s unique story or lived experience might reshape your team. That’s where the human touch still reigns.

Take the “Easy Apply” feature. On the surface, it’s a win for accessibility—candidates can apply with one click. But for recruiters, it often means sifting through a deluge of applications, many of which don’t align with the role. Convenience for candidates shouldn’t come at the cost of clarity for recruiters.

And then there’s the risk of losing sight of people in the process. Remember Amazon’s AI hiring experiment that inadvertently screened out women? It’s a reminder that while technology is a powerful tool, it lacks the nuance and empathy required to make hiring decisions that reflect values like diversity, inclusion, and cultural fit. Technology should empower better decisions—not replace the human insights that drive trust and build relationships.

Here’s where tech misses the mark:

  • Overlooked potential: Algorithms can’t recognize soft skills, adaptability, or the creativity that comes with unconventional career paths.
  • Erosion of trust: Candidates who feel like a number disengage quickly.
  • Cultural misalignment: Companies risk losing the unique perspectives that come from diverse experiences.

 

Transforming a Good Match into a Great Fit

A recruiter’s ability to listen, ask the right questions, and interpret a candidate’s motivations or aspirations is what transforms a good match into a great fit. Empathy and cultural understanding are the differentiators that no algorithm can replicate.

For example, when we work directly with hiring managers, our placement success rate soars to 86% and 97% for exclusive requisitions. Compare that to 75% when we solely rely on job descriptions. Why? Because those one-on-one conversations with hiring managers reveal the real story—team dynamics, cultural nuances, and those intangible “must-haves” that can’t be captured in a job description or filtered through an ATS. That’s the human touch that makes all the difference.

Using Technology Where It Matters

Technology in hiring isn’t the enemy—it’s the accelerator. It’s what lets us organize faster, respond quicker, and uncover talent in ways we couldn’t before. But technology should never take the lead. People should.

Because here’s the truth: no algorithm will ever ask a candidate, “What are you really looking for in your next role?” No ATS will pick up on the way a hiring manager pauses when they mention their dream team. These are the moments that technology can’t replicate—the moments that make our work human.

At Top Stack, technology is a partner, not the star of the show. We use it to free up time, tackle the tedious, and make room for what matters most: building relationships. It’s not about replacing the human touch but amplifying it.

The Art and Science of Staffing

Staffing has always been more than filling a role—it’s about finding that perfect match where skills meet culture, and aspirations align with opportunity. It’s a craft that requires balance: precision and intuition, data and empathy, automation and a human touch. And that’s what makes this industry so uniquely challenging—and rewarding.

The science of staffing is in the tools. Data shows us where talent lives, what salary benchmarks make sense, and how we can optimize the hiring process. It’s powerful and necessary. But data alone doesn’t see the full picture. The art comes from the moments no algorithm can catch: the connection you feel in an interview, the subtle cues a candidate shares about their motivations, the conversations with the hiring manager that never make it onto the job description. This is where the magic of staffing happens—at the intersection of art and science.

Leading With Intention

As new tools reshape how we work, it’s easy to get caught up in promises of faster hires and seamless automation. But speed isn’t the only metric that matters—it’s how thoughtfully we can connect people and companies in ways that create lasting value.

That’s why intention matters more than ever. Whether implementing new tech or revisiting old hiring processes, every decision should reflect the values that set great teams apart: trust, empathy, and a commitment to understanding the people behind the profiles. When you use technology to amplify—rather than replace—the personal touches, you don’t just make hires. You create hires that last and teams that inspire.

Actionable Advice for Blending AI and Human Insight

Ask the Right Questions

Before adopting any new tech, ask yourself this: What problem are we actually solving? It’s tempting to grab the latest tools promising faster hires and better data, but without clear intent, even the best systems can feel like just another shiny object. Instead of starting with features, start with the why.

  • Is this tool solving a real pain point for our team or candidates?
  • Does it enhance the human side of what we do—or risk replacing it?
  • Will it help us build lasting trust and relationships, or is it just a short-term fix?

Know When to Use Technology for Hiring

Technology is great for streamlining the basics—screening resumes, managing calendars, and organizing pipelines. But when it comes to connecting with candidates and making the right hire, it’s a recruiter’s expertise that makes the difference.

Lean on tools to handle the repetitive tasks, but leave the critical touchpoints—interviews, feedback, and conversations—where they belong: with people. Automation can keep things moving, but only human connection can build trust and uncover what really matters in a hire.

Bring Your Team Into the Recruiting Process

Your hiring managers know your team better than any algorithm ever could. They understand the dynamics, the “must-haves,” and the intangibles that make someone a perfect fit. So, involve them early. Whether you’re evaluating new tools or developing your hiring strategy, their input makes your process stronger—and more personal.

Give Your Hiring Team What They Need to Succeed

Behind every great hire is a well-supported team. Equip your recruiters and hiring managers with tools and training that help them balance efficiency with empathy. When your team feels empowered, they create hiring experiences that don’t just fill roles—they create relationships that last.

Every Hire is a Turning Point

In an increasingly automated job market, the companies that stand out are the ones that prioritize people. Why? Because meaningful interaction fosters loyalty, builds trust, and creates long-term relationships. Tools can filter resumes and streamline schedules all day long, but they can’t see potential in a nontraditional career path or recognize the spark in someone’s story.

That’s the opportunity we have as leaders: to use technology as a support, not a substitute. To ensure that every hire is thoughtful, intentional, and centered on the human connection that drives success. When we lead with people at the heart of every decision, we’re not just filling roles—we’re creating teams that thrive and futures that inspire.

 

Ready to balance technology and empathy in your hiring process? Contact us to learn how our unique approach can help you build lasting teams.