Digital Recruiter Podcast

Episode Summary Sanket Chauhan didn't set out to build an ATS. He set out to solve a research problem. Three years ago, when AI models were just starting to get good, he and his co-founder built a Chrome extension to automate sales research and a wave of recruiters found it first. That accidental discovery turned into a research agency, which turned into a hard truth: not a single recruiting firm they worked with actually liked their ATS. So they built a better one from the ground up. StarDex is an AI-native ATS and CRM built specifically for search firms. The difference between AI-native and AI-augmented isn't just marketing language, it's architecture. Legacy systems were built on structured databases and are now reverse-engineering their way toward AI. StarDex was designed from day one so that every record lives in both a structured and a vector database simultaneously, meaning recruiters can search by similarity, not just by keyword, and stop relying on perfect data entry to surface the right candidates. In this episode, Sanket joins Clark to break down what that actually means in practice and why it matters more than ever in 2026. They get into why most recruiters go to LinkedIn before their own database (and why that's backwards), how vibe coding is unlocking a new era of customizable headless ATS workflows, and why the best recruiters Sanket knows are spending less time on AI tools, not more. The conversation also covers the switching ATS question every firm owner wrestles with, the 80/20 rule for AI adoption, and why the human relationship, not the tech stack, is the actual moat in a world where everyone has access to the same models. His closing advice: open Claude, describe what you want automated, and just start. You'll get further than you think. For recruiting firm owners trying to figure out where AI actually fits and where it doesn't, this is one of the most practical conversations we've had on the show. Sanket's Bio Sanket Chauhan is the co-founder of StarDex, an AI-native ATS and CRM built from the ground up for search firms. Before StarDex, Sanket and his co-founder ran an AI-powered research agency serving executive search firms, an experience that revealed both the inefficiencies baked into most recruiting workflows and the near-universal frustration firm owners had with their existing systems of record. That insight became the foundation for StarDex, which was architected from day one to combine structured and vector database search, support custom workflows via MCP servers and open APIs, and scale with the pace of AI rather than lag behind it. StarDex serves solo recruiters through firms of 50+ and has been building MCP server infrastructure since before most ATSs had it on their roadmap. Sanket regularly runs free workshops on LinkedIn covering Claude automation, daily workflow shortcuts, and practical AI implementation for recruiting teams. Connect with Sanket at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanketchauhan/ Check Out Our Sponsor at: https://signaturebackoffice.com/ For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark Willcox sits down with former professional poker player turned recruiter, Joe Sebok, to talk about his wild career journey. Joe was part of the poker boom in the 2000s, playing on televised World Series of Poker tables, running his own media company, and even building an early social media platform for poker pros. But when the online poker industry collapsed in 2011, he had to reinvent himself—eventually landing in the world of recruiting, where he’s now building a thriving business. Joe shares the lessons he’s learned from poker that apply directly to recruiting and business: reading people, managing risk, and knowing when to go all-in. He talks about the power of reinvention, why so many recruiters fail because they avoid doing the actual work, and how leaning into your strengths can give you a real competitive advantage. He also opens up about navigating public scrutiny, handling high-pressure situations, and overcoming mental blocks that hold people back from success. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career, doubted your next move, or struggled to stand out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with insights on mindset, personal branding, and making strategic bets on yourself. Don’t miss this one! *HIGHLIGHTS* 00:00 - Introduction & Digital Recruiter Newsletter 01:00 - Welcoming Special Guest: Joe Seabock 02:00 - Joe’s Background: From Poker Pro to Recruiter 04:00 - Life After Poker: A Reset in Wine Country 06:00 - Transition to Recruiting & Career Growth 09:00 - The Power of Strategic Advantages 12:00 - Social Media & Content Marketing for Recruiters 15:00 - Joe’s Journey into Professional Poker 18:00 - The Poker Boom & Media Evolution 22:00 - Lessons from Poker Applied to Recruiting 27:00 - Recognizing Industry Trends & Pivoting 32:00 - The Mental Game of Business & Success 38:00 - The Role of Confidence & Commitment 45:00 - Overcoming Setbacks & Navigating Change 50:00 - Social Media Challenges & Haters 55:00 - Recruiting, Market Trends & Career Advice 1:00:00 - Final Thoughts & Takeaways *JOE's BIO* After beginning his career as a professional poker player in 2005, winning several titles and competing in both the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour, Sebok ceased playing full-time in 2009 to make his shift into media and business. He did so effectively, helping spearhead poker’s first televised media reporting program, as well as several of poker’s most popular radio programs across the globe. Sebok joined the recruiting and talent acquisition ranks in 2015 and won awards while at the largest creative recruiting agency in North America before transitioning to work in-house and build several entire teams from scratch. His additional experience in marketing, sales, and operations further strengthens his robust proficiency in understanding clients’ open positions and what is required to staff them both effectively and expeditiously. You can find Joe on LinkedIn at Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices