Samwise High Tech Recruiting Newsletter
Sunday, July 12, 2026
The 5 Skills Recruiters Are Prioritizing Over AI
A new GMAC survey of 600 corporate recruiters reveals that human skills still outrank AI competencies in hiring decisions — at least for now. Communication, problem-solving, adaptability, data analysis and interpretation, and interpersonal/teamwork top the 2026 rankings. Data analysis climbed from 10th place in 2025, signaling that analytical thinking is now a core expectation. AI skills moved from 16th to 14th — progress, but still outside the top tier. The rankings are expected to invert sharply by 2031, when AI tools proficiency is projected to rank first. Sara Chapman, CHRO at Ultieg, was among HR leaders weighing in on the findings.
Sources: HR Executive Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Why AI ROI Could Take Years to Show Up in HR, According to an Economist
Boardroom pressure for AI results is intensifying, but meaningful returns may still be years away — especially in HR. Apollo Global Management economist Torsten Slok found that profit margins outside the technology sector show no sign of rising from AI adoption. An IBM study found only about 25% of AI initiatives deliver expected returns, with just 16% scaling enterprise-wide. Sectors including healthcare, banking, energy, and manufacturing are among the slowest to benefit. Slok cautioned that deep process re-engineering and data governance requirements will delay payoff, and warned companies may pull back on AI spending if meaningful results don’t materialize soon.
Sources: HR Executive Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
This Week in 5 Numbers: Workers Don’t Trust HR, Job Scams Rise, and Tech Cuts Hit 121K
Five data points define the week in recruiting and workforce news. Nearly half of U.S. workers — 45% — say they don’t trust HR or leadership to help if they report a toxic work environment, per a new iHire survey. Job scams are rising: Monster found that 53% of workers have now been targeted by fraudulent recruiter outreach. On AI governance, a Cisco study found 72% of CEOs expect humans to retain oversight of AI through 2030. Meanwhile, Microsoft is cutting roughly 4,800 positions — about 2.1% of its workforce — and total U.S. tech job eliminations in 2026 have now reached 121,072.
Marking 60 Years, SHRM Foundation Pushes Employers Toward a Culture of Caregiver Support
Marking its 60th anniversary, the SHRM Foundation is calling on employers to move beyond policies and build genuine cultures of care for working caregivers. SHRM Foundation’s Wendi Safstrom says checklists and benefit packages aren’t enough if managers lack the training to back them up. The scale of need is significant: more than 30% of U.S. adults provide care for a household or nonhousehold member. Yet only 36% of organizations equip managers with caregiver-related resources, and more than 40% of caregivers fear using benefits will hurt their career. The foundation is partnering with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation on programs for military spouse caregivers.
A Recruiting Veteran Is Pushing to Make Applicant Closure a Minimum Standard
Veteran talent acquisition figure Gerry Crispin is pushing the recruiting profession to adopt applicant closure — formally notifying all candidates of their application outcome — as a minimum operating standard. Reporting by ERE’s David Manaster details Crispin’s campaign against candidate ghosting, in which job seekers complete applications and interviews only to never hear back from employers. Crispin has spent decades advocating for candidates and argues that the practice of leaving applicants in the dark has persisted long enough. His goal: make applicant closure a baseline expectation across the industry, not an optional commitment reserved for employers who prioritize candidate experience.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency