How AI Is Reshaping Careers, Salaries, and Hiring with Mateo Polic

In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Mateo Polic, founder of one of Canada’s leading recruitment firms, to unpack what is really happening in today’s hiring market. From AI-generated resumes and shrinking salaries, to the growing gap between senior talent and younger operators, Mateo shares what he’s seeing from thousands of job applications and placements across sales, tech, marketing, and executive leadership.Mateo also opens up about his journey from Croatia to Canada, the lessons he learned from playing professional basketball, and why persistence, adaptability, and human connection matter more than ever in the AI era. Together, Aaron and Mateo explore entrepreneurship, hiring, leadership, sports, and the future of work in a rapidly changing economy.Chapters: 01:38 – How AI Changed Job Applications and Recruiting 03:43 – Why Most Applicants Struggle to Stand Out Today 05:57 – The Human Skills That Still Win in Hiring 08:49 – The Highest Paying Jobs in 2026 10:15 – Which Roles Are Losing Salary Value Fast 12:14 – The Truth About High Paying Sales Careers 15:05 – How Employees Are Feeling About AI and Work 16:07 – Why Morale in Canada Is Rapidly Declining 19:28 – Mateo’s First Experience Moving to Canada 21:29 – Why Top Canadian Founders Are Leaving 25:57 – AI, Global Talent, and the Future of Competition 27:26 – The Jobs AI Is Already Replacing 29:00 – Why Senior Employees Are Under Pressure 31:54 – The Growing Age Gap in the Workforce 34:04 – How AI Is Changing Career Longevity 36:47 – Why More People Are Becoming Entrepreneurs 38:17 – The Rise of Fractional Executives and Gig Work 40:53 – The Hidden Cost of a Bad Hire 42:29 – How Great Companies Actually Hire Talent 45:32 – The Recruiting Lessons Founders Need to Learn 48:13 – Building Teams Through Trusted Relationships 52:35 – Sports, Discipline, and Success in Business 54:41 – What Team Sports Teach You About Leadership 56:10 – Why Effort and Consistency Matter More Than TalentGuest Links:LinkedIn: Mateo PolicInstagram: @mp21croIf you're a founder doing $1MM+ in annual revenue, apply for the Founders Club today: https://go.foundersclubofficial.com/intro-fc-aaronStay Connected!Aaron Spivak:IG: @‌SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubIG: @‌TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast