The job market feels broken to a lot of people right now. Bonnie Dilber has a different read on it. As Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at Zapier, she looks at hiring data for fun, and she says the problem is not that the jobs disappeared. It is that more people are competing for a pool of roles that has stayed flat, while plenty of work in trades, healthcare, and education goes unfilled.
In this conversation, Bonnie and Brandon Laws get honest about what is actually happening in hiring. They cover the myths job seekers still believe, why AI-written resumes are making recruiters work harder, and how Zapier is using agentic AI interviews and automation across its process. Bonnie also shares direct advice for anyone stuck in a long search, including why your self-assessment is probably off and where the real opportunities are.
If you hire people or are looking for your next role, this one is worth your time.
About our guest
Bonnie Dilber is the Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at Zapier, where she leads recruiting for the company's business and go-to-market teams. She started her career in education through Teach For America, spent 4 years in the classroom, and moved into teacher development before making the jump to tech recruiting. Today, she is one of the most followed recruiting voices on LinkedIn, and she writes a newsletter for job seekers called Landed.
TIMESTAMPS
- 00:00 Intro
- 02:00 From the classroom to tech recruiting
- 04:00 Why she left education for Zapier
- 07:00 Building a following on LinkedIn
- 09:00 The biggest myth about applicant tracking systems
- 11:00 What the job market actually looks like
- 16:00 AI resumes, fraud, and verifying real candidates
- 18:30 Honest advice for a long job search
- 23:00 How AI is helping Zapier hire
- 30:00 Hiring for roles that may not exist in a year
- 36:00 AI and equity
- 41:00 How to vet new HR technology
- 43:00 Where to find Bonnie
Resources mentioned: Landed BrightHire Zapier What People Want from Work survey
A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST
Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws
In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."
About Xenium HR
Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more
Connect with Bonnie Dilber: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Newsletter
Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn Instagram About
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