I just got back from RecFest UK — and yes, there was a Ferris wheel, circus tents, and enough coffee lines to rival your local Starbucks.
I also got stung by a wasp, popped out of a giant cake at the iCIMS booth, and walked away with way more than swag. I left with new connections, new ideas, and a fresh perspective on where hiring is headed.
Whether you're deep in job descriptions or wrangling your TA tech stack, here are my top takeaways:
1. AI Is Everywhere… But People Are Skeptical
About 25% of the sessions were AI-focused. The energy? Curious but cautious.
Mark from Cronofy nailed it:
“Automation should make time for the human stuff.”
At Ongig, that’s our approach too. We use AI to flag things like missing data or bloated JDs — but people still drive the ship.
2. Skills-Based Hiring Is Actually Happening
Amazon shared how they’re using tools like Willo to shift focus from resumes to skills — turning interns into full-time hires faster.
It’s working. It’s scalable. And it’s way more human.
Bonus: Willo’s CCO, Andrew Wood (aka “Woody”), had the whole tent laughing with some unexpected resume flashbacks and accidental word slips. Classic RecFest.
3. TA Teams Are Out of Time — And That’s a Problem
Matt Alder’s session called out what we’re all feeling:
“TA teams are stuck in admin land. No time to be creative or strategic.”
He even built a quiz to test your team’s TA “fitness” (I’ll link it below). Spoiler: a lot of teams are exhausted, and it shows in the workflow.
Other Highlights That Deserve a Shout-Out
The Neurodiversity Workshop from SPACE: Real talk about creating work that works for everyone. No checkbox nonsense.
Chad & Cheese: Loud. Funny. Unfiltered. If you know, you know.
Networking wins: I connected with folks on all sides of hiring — builders, buyers, seekers. My LinkedIn’s been buzzing ever since.
Food trucks: 10 out of 10. Always a vibe.
Real Talk: What RecFest Reminded Me About JDs
Nobody reads chunky paragraphs. Stop it.
“Fast-paced environment” = warning sign.
If your JD doesn’t say what the job actually does by line 3… delete and start again.
What’s Next?
I’m talking to more folks who were at RecFest for future podcast episodes — if you’ve got a takeaway, hit me up. These convos are short, chill, and video-optional (unless you want to show off your swag).
I’ll also be at RecFest USA in Nashville, so if you’re going… let’s connect in real life.
Final Thought
RecFest UK was loud, sweaty, and a little chaotic — kind of like TA itself.
But the real magic? It was in the conversations, not the sessions.
In the real talk. In the shared struggle. In the energy to fix hiring, not just complain about it.
If you’re stuck in JD purgatory, battling approvals, or just want a gut-check — I’ve got you.
Until next time,
Write better. Waste less time. And never sit in a chair surrounded by wasps.
Happy hiring.
