Recruitment is evolving at the speed of light. We’re currently at a point where all you hear about is how we can use AI for X task or how to implement an AI tool to improve Y. But don’t worry - we’re not here to talk about AI replacing us, because that’s not the case. What we can agree on, though, is that AI has become the new standard: it takes notes in interviews, screens resumes, and even sources candidates for you. And with this new era of technology shaping how we hire, it’s easy to lose sight of what it all started with: people helping people.
That’s where the concept of reverse hiring comes in. Instead of screening candidates out, recruiters sit down, listen to their stories, and help them in - with mentoring, guidance, and connections. It’s hiring flipped on its head, and its power lies in something AI can’t replace: human connection.
On 17 September, we put reverse hiring into practice. Together with Jobs for Humanity and Pera, we invited 35 TA and HR leaders to the A’DAM Tower for a breakfast session with a twist. The morning began with stories that reminded us why recruitment matters.
Roy Baladi, founder of Jobs for Humanity, shared the organisation's mission by showing Ali's journey to success - a Syrian refugee who rebuilt his career after being paired with a mentor at a similar event. The room fell quiet as his story played on screen.
Jolie den Boer from Booking.com brought the corporate lens. What began as a handful of volunteers helping Ukrainian refugees grew into a CEO-backed coaching program. Hundreds of job seekers gained guidance, over 100 interviews were secured, and more than 50 hires were made. The message was clear: inclusive hiring transforms both lives and business results.
And of course, AI had a role in this story too. Rina Joosten-Rabou, CEO at Pera, took the stage to present Pera’s candidate assessments. To the surprise of many, these are not replacing human judgment - they amplify it, surfacing hidden strengths and reducing bias. As she put it, “AI can see patterns that we can't, humans miss subtle things, which AI can actually see".