Navigating Skills Gaps, Passive Talent, and Embedded Recruiting Strategy with Lori Prehar

Hiring demand is no longer linear—it’s uneven, unpredictable, and increasingly skills-driven. While some roles stall, others remain critically hard to fill, forcing talent leaders to rethink traditional hiring strategies. According to LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends, 76% of talent professionals say skills-first hiring is a priority, yet many organizations still rely on outdated pedigree models. This tension is reshaping how RPO providers deliver value, requiring more flexible, human-centered, and data-informed approaches to workforce planning and execution.So how can talent leaders balance shifting demand, evolving skill requirements, and candidate expectations in a cautious market? In this episode, host Lamees Abourahma speaks with Lori Prehar, Managing Director of ZRG Embedded Recruiting, to explore embedded recruiting models, passive talent strategies, and the shift toward skills-based hiring. Together, they unpack how RPO leaders can stay agile, deepen client partnerships, and build resilient talent strategies in today’s dynamic labor market.Follow Lori Prehar on LinkedIn. Go here for the ZRG Embedded Recruiting website.  ZRG has been a Gold Member of the Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association since 2025. About the PodcastTime to Hire is produced by the Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association (RPOA), the leading authority on recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) foresight and innovation, and the trusted convener for the global RPO community. Through conversations with industry leaders, the podcast explores the trends, insights, and innovations shaping the future of talent acquisition.Learn more about RPOA and join the community at: https://www.rpoassociation.org.Follow the host, Lamees Abourahma, on LinkedIn.