[Stage] Bullhorn Data Reveals a Shocking Story Staffing Owners Need to Hear

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Nov 10, 2025

Lia Taniguchi, Senior Research Manager at Bullhorn, shares insightful data from the GRID 2025 Talent Trends Report. Only 26% of Gen Z candidates are engaging with recruiters, highlighting a need for better communication. She reveals that 54% of candidates have opted out due to slow responses. Lia notes 88% rate voice agent interviews positively, illustrating a growing acceptance of AI in recruitment. Despite advancements, overall candidate satisfaction has declined, stressing the importance of timely acknowledgments and the balance between AI and human interaction.

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INSIGHT

AI Works Best As A Speed Layer

Candidates welcome AI at the top of the funnel because it delivers immediate feedback and speed.
Everyone wants quick AI screening followed quickly by a human for fit and coaching.

ADVICE

Match Communication To Amazon Speed

Send instant confirmation when candidates submit materials and give a status update within a week.
Aim to place candidates in 20 days or less to meet expectations.

INSIGHT

Slow Communication Drives Candidate Dropoff

54% of candidates stopped working with a recruiter because processes were slow or communication was unclear.
Small automated pings or chatbot responses can prevent the feeling of being in a black hole.

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In this episode of Take the Stage, Brad Bialy sits down with Lia Taniguchi to unpack Bullhorn’s 2025 Grid Talent Trends Report and explore how data, AI, and human connection are reshaping the candidate experience in staffing and recruiting.

About the Guest

Lia Taniguchi is the Senior Research Manager at Bullhorn, leading global market research that drives data-informed strategy for the staffing industry. With an MBA from Simmons College and a forthcoming MPH from Boston University, Lia brings a rare mix of analytical depth and human-centered insight to her work.

Key Takeaways

Only 26% of Gen Z candidates are actively using a recruiter—showing an urgent need for better engagement and support for younger talent.
54% of candidates stopped working with a recruiter due to slow or unclear communication, proving that speed and transparency are now table stakes.
88% of candidates rated their voice agent interview as as good as or better than speaking with a person, signaling growing comfort with AI-driven screening.
Overall candidate satisfaction declined across every stage of the recruitment process in the past year, with speed and responsiveness dropping by 20%.
Candidates want instant acknowledgment—most expect confirmation within minutes and status updates within one week, mirroring Amazon-style service expectations.

Timestamps

[00:45] – Introducing the Grid 2025 Talent Trends Report
[03:20] – Why Gen Z is least satisfied with recruiters
[06:30] – Setting higher expectations in a digital-native world
[10:25] – The power of intergenerational mentorship in recruiting
[13:40] – Can AI fix the application black hole?
[17:10] – What candidates really mean by “speed and communication”
[20:15] – Remembering the human impact behind every resume
[24:00] – Using AI to give feedback to the “silver medalists”
[28:15] – 88% of candidates rate voice agents as good as people
[33:20] – Why candidate satisfaction is declining—and how to fix it
[37:45] – Secret shopping your own candidate experience
[46:20] – Specialization as the new superpower for staffing firms

About the Host

Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He’s the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry’s leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads.

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For 30 years, Benefits in a Card has delivered benefit plans designed specifically for the staffing industry—over 140 unique options with immediate coverage, unique perks like FreeRx, and solutions that reduce turnover while improving ACA compliance. Give your workforce benefits they’ll actually use and give your staffing firm a competitive edge. Learn more at https://www.BenefitsInACard.com