Talent teams see volume and call it abundance. Hiring managers feel powerless. Candidates are bruised into transactional behaviour. The result is a mirage - a hiring market that looks functional on the surface and breaks down at the point of placement.In this episode, Jeremy unpacks why direct hiring is failing more often than internal teams admit, and what recruiters need to do about it. Volume has decoupled from quality. AI-enhanced CVs, AI-screened applications, and AI-written job specs are creating a feedback loop that hides real talent and surfaces look-alikes.What you'll take away:The difference between an applicant and a candidate, and how to use it in client conversationsWhy hiring managers feel toothless even when they are seniorThe data that proves direct hiring is breaking downA reframe of agency value: candidate control and deal creation are now premium skills, not commodity adminThe numbers that matter:57% of applicants abandon a process that feels like it's going nowhere44% of candidates hold multiple offers in play34% of Gen Z accept a job and don't turn up on day one35% of accepted offers are reneged on (Gartner)60% know the job is a bad fit at the point of acceptanceThe finish line is the start date, not the signed contract. Human recruitment has now gone up to a premium - and this episode shows you how to prove it.Full data report: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/szyzfyag54i6yo5tzhyde/2026-Hiring-Guide.pdf?rlkey=pts9xw2tesodqh097o5eljonl&st=hhjmlbzi&dl=0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Your People Engine - The People Engine For The Recruitment Industry.Delivering context-rich learning and development initiatives for all levels of people in recruitment. Live sessions delivered every week and content that focuses on implementation through guided activities.From new hires through to the top performers there’s an opportunity for everyone to grow and develop. The AI assistant curates relevant content on your behalf based on your questions.That’s immediate access to what you want, when you want to develop performance.