One of the most striking themes from recent recruiting discussions is the growing antagonism between recruiters and candidates – and how much of it is built on misconceptions. Recent data from our 2025 Tech Salary Report paints a clear picture of today’s employer-driven hiring market: only 41% of tech professionals report being satisfied with their compensation, with nearly 60% believing they’re underpaid compared to their peers. On top of this, job-seeking activity is surging. A remarkable 47% of employed tech professionals are actively looking for new roles – up dramatically from 29% last year.
This tension between employers, the recruiters working to fill open roles, and tech professionals actively job seeking is likely to intensify. As a recruiter at the intersection between these competing interests, part of your job is to act as unifier and advocate, building trust between the employer filling the role and the tech professionals who seek to be placed. But you need to build trust in yourself first.
Here we will offer some advice for how you can bridge this divide:
Understanding the Trust Erosion
As recruiters, you are on the front lines facing increasing frustration from tech candidates who believe AI systems are controlling their job prospects. Let’s address these concerns head-on while setting the record straight about what really happens behind the scenes.
What candidates believe:
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AI systems are auto-rejecting applications without human review
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Complex keyword matching systems are filtering out qualified candidates
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Applications disappear into a black hole of automation
The reality of modern recruitment:
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Most companies don’t have the budget for elaborate AI tools and ATS systems
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Quick rejections usually mean human reviewers are actively processing applications
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Most recruiters spend 5-10 seconds on initial screening because basic qualifications can be assessed quickly
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Most importantly, we’re actively looking for reasons to move candidates forward, not reject them
Meanwhile, recruiters like you face your own challenges in this shifting hiring scene. You’re under-resourced and overwhelmed by applications that increasingly leverage AI tools themselves. This creates a new dimension of complexity in your work:
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Candidates use AI to optimize resumes and generate multiple versions
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AI tools allow candidates to apply to more positions faster than ever before
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Applications become increasingly difficult to differentiate as they’re all optimized for the same keywords
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The sheer volume of AI-enhanced applications makes it harder to identify truly exceptional candidates
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When we do have to reject candidates, we sometimes face hostile responses that make it harder to provide meaningful feedback
The core issue? Both sides feel their time and effort aren’t being respected by the current process. As AI tools continue to improve and become more accessible to both recruiters and candidates, this tension will only intensify. Understanding this dynamic is the first step toward rebuilding trust.
Rebuilding Trust Through Transparency
As you navigate this landscape of distrust, there are several things that you can do to push against these misconceptions and build relationships with candidates supported by trust. Here are some places to start:
Be Honest About Your Process
When speaking within your networks or when people ask, explain how you actually review applications. Acknowledge that humans can also make quick decisions about a candidate’s potential fit with a new role. Be clear about when and why automated tools are used.
Make Communications More Human
When crafting your communications, focus on writing like a person rather than a corporation. Your job postings should use clear, direct language that actually describes the role and team, rather than relying on generic corporate terminology. This extends to rejection communications as well – templates should sound authentic and respectful, recognizing the time and effort candidates invest in applying.
Communicate Timelines
Be upfront about next steps and timelines. No one enjoys the feeling of waiting that defines the job search. Ensuring that candidates have the proper context for what they are waiting for will help that time pass more comfortably for them.
Make Requirements Meaningful
When you have the opportunity, take the time to explain why specific requirements exist – whether they’re true necessities for success in the role or simply nice-to-have preferences. This context helps candidates make better decisions about whether to apply and shows respect for their time.
Evaluate Current Processes
Double check that your recruitment processes are tuned toward trust. Do your rejection templates sound authentic? Are you being transparent about internal candidates and compliance postings? Are you taking opportunities to offer feedback to candidates at various stages of the interview process? All of these practices can help candidates feel more supported, even if they don’t get the role.
Building a Better Environment for Sourcing and Hiring
Managing high volumes of applications, meeting hiring targets, and maintaining quality candidate relationships is an immense challenge. The pressures of modern recruiting can make the process feel adversarial, but it doesn’t have to be this way. When great recruiters like you take steps to address misconceptions and build more transparent processes, even amid your busy schedules, you can help to create an environment that works better for everyone. This isn’t just about making candidates feel good – it’s about making your own work more manageable and effective, leading to stronger matches between candidates and opportunities.
Remember: While your workload may be heavy, each interaction is a chance to build a relationship. These improvements not only help candidates but can make our own work more rewarding and sustainable in the long run.
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