The Truth About Hiring in 2026 (What Every Leader Needs to Know) w/LHH's Alex Ridder, Chicago Recruiting's Ravi Subramanian and Bamboo HR's Brandon Welch

Send us Fan Mail The hiring market isn't frozen. It isn't booming. It's something in between. Every week brings another contradictory headline. Companies are investing billions in AI while slowing hiring. Job postings are up, applications are flooding in, and yet organizations across industries still struggle to find the talent they need. So what's really happening? In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with three leaders who spend every day inside today's hiring market to separate the headlines from reality. Together, we explore why many hiring systems were designed for a workforce that no longer exists, how AI is reshaping recruiting without replacing the need for human judgment, and why organizations need to rethink how they identify, develop, and retain talent in a rapidly changing world. Joining us are: Alex Ridder, Global Head of Client Partnerships at LHH Ravi Subramanian, Founder & President of Chicago Recruiting Forum Brandon Welch, Head of Talent Acquisition at BambooHR Together, we discuss: Why hiring feels "slushy" instead of frozen or booming How AI is changing recruiting and where human oversight still matters Why Gen Z and workers over 50 are facing the same underlying hiring challenge Whether college is keeping pace with the skills employers actually need The growing role of internal mobility, continuous learning, and skills-based hiring What organizations should rethink before automating their hiring processes Whether you're hiring, leading a team, working in HR, or navigating your own career, this conversation offers practical insights into where hiring is headed and what leaders can do today to build a workforce that's ready for what's next. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management. Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]