In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with Mitch McDermott, founder of Talent Ascension, to unpack what is really happening in today’s job market and why so many candidates and companies feel stuck.

Mitch shares his unconventional journey from the car business to building a successful executive search firm, including a bold move to Australia that reshaped his career and worldview. Along the way, we dig into how recruiting has evolved, how AI is changing hiring, and why automation has stripped too much humanity out of the process.

We talk about:

• Why hiring has started to feel like dating apps
• How generational shifts are changing expectations at work
• The dangers of over-automating recruiting with AI
• Why companies should hire for potential, not just resumes
• How job seekers can stand out in a crowded, impersonal market
• What it really means to connect with candidates on a human level

This conversation is especially relevant if you are a job seeker, founder, executive, recruiter, or leader trying to hire better people in a rapidly changing market.

Key Takeaways

• Recruiting is about alignment, not just filling roles
• Different industries require different hiring strategies
• Hiring for potential matters more than checking boxes
• Generational shifts accelerated after COVID
• AI is powerful, but it can create unintended barriers
• Mindset, resilience, and accountability drive long-term success
• Relationships still beat algorithms in hiring

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mitch McDermott

02:17 From the Car Business to Australia

05:33 Breaking Into Executive Search

11:06 Recruitment Styles by Industry

13:48 Consulting Companies on Hiring Strategy

17:27 The Reverse Interview Process

20:34 Generational Shifts in the Job Market

22:29 In-Demand Skills Today

23:27 Changes in Sales Organizations

24:19 AI’s Role in Recruiting

27:51 Personal Growth and Inspiration

30:08 Mindset and Resiliency in Business

33:11 Accountability and Leadership

35:03 Books That Shape High Performers

38:41 Why the Job Search System Is Broken

41:16 Bringing Humanity Back to Hiring

Sound Bites

• “The job search system is broken.”
• “We lost the humanity in hiring.”
• “Hiring feels like dating apps now.”

Connect with Mitch McDermott

🌐 Website https://www.talentascension.com/

🔗 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-mcdermott-ba409387/

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🎵 Music by C€$ https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww