Holiday Hiring Frenzy Sends Costs Skyrocketing

Seasonal hiring is heating up as the holidays approach, with Recruitics ’ December Talent Market Index revealing soaring recruitment costs in retail, hospitality, and health care. CEO Adam Stafford highlighted a 92% spike in hospitality hiring costs and steady demand in health care, noting, "We expect sector-specific demand will continue to vary, and our data-driven insights are here to help employers navigate these changes." The report also points to e-commerce dominance and logistics growth as key drivers of the hiring surge.

Dive into the full report for sector-specific hiring insights and trends.

The Muse Expands Public Sector & Midwest Presence with Purpose Jobs

The Muse , operator of themuse.com and fairygodboss.com, has acquired Purpose Jobs to enhance its employer branding and talent attraction solutions. The move strengthens The Muse’s reach in the Midwest and public sector, aligning with Purpose Jobs’ focus on building community and fostering workplace belonging. Dave Bethoney , President of The Muse, praised Purpose Jobs’ ability to “combine employer branding with talent attraction,” while Purpose Jobs’ founder Ryan Landau said the partnership will "amplify our impact."

Read more about how this partnership reshapes recruitment and employer branding.

Staffing Firms and AI: Evolve or Get Left Behind

Staffing firms dominate talent acquisition but risk losing their edge if they ignore AI’s potential. As Adam Jackson writes, “This isn’t a choice between technology and relationships; it’s about using AI to elevate both.” From résumé screening to candidate interviews, integrated AI tools can cut hiring timelines by up to 80%, freeing recruiters to focus on building relationships. Firms clinging to outdated methods face hidden costs, inefficiencies, and slower growth in an AI-driven world.

See how embracing AI can transform your staffing strategy and future-proof your business.

Unleashing HiPo Potential: A Fresh Take on Future Leaders

High-potential employees (HiPos) are vital for succession planning, but traditional identification methods often fall short. Nicole Dickie of Hogan Assessments highlights a new framework based on personality traits—dependability, perceived influence, and team-building capacity—to better identify and develop future leaders. “Who you are is how you lead,” says Hogan founder Robert Hogan . Organizations in regions like Asia-Pacific benefit from integrating personality data to tailor HiPo programs, ensuring alignment with cultural and market nuances.

Discover how personality-driven insights can redefine your leadership pipeline.

ChatGPT on WhatsApp: HR's New Reality Check

OpenAI’s latest announcement introduces ChatGPT via WhatsApp and 1-800-ChatGPT, sparking buzz in the HR tech world. Jason Averbook of Mercer calls this a “seismic shift” that will redefine how work gets done. While some praise the innovation, others worry about privacy and misuse. As Averbook notes, “The question isn’t whether we’re ready for AI—it’s whether we’re ready to lead in a world where AI is already here.”

Explore how these updates could transform HR and redefine workplace leadership.