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This week’s podcast features: Devyn Mikell President and Co-Founder of Qualifi

Episode Summary:

What if I told you that the future of recruitment isn't confined to office perks and flexible hours anymore? Picture a world where virtual reality interviews redefine the hiring process, where your next boss might be an AI, and where company culture thrives as a vibrant, evolving force. Welcome to a frontier where recruitment meets innovation, and corporate culture isn't just a buzzword—it's a dynamic, living ecosystem shaping the workplaces of tomorrow.

Today on 'Recruiting is No Joke,' we feature Devyn Mikell, President of QualiFI, to discuss current trends and challenges in the recruitment industry. QualiFI is a screening platform designed for high-volume recruiting. It assists in managing candidates from the initial phone screen through to the final interview, including scheduling and live video interactions with customers.

During the conversation, we delve into the impact of remote work, employee mandates, and the ongoing talent shortage in healthcare. Our conversation also touches on the ethical implications of political discussions in the workplace and the surprising decline in demand for software developers. Additionally, we react to news stories, including Wells Fargo's firing of employees/‘Mouse Jigglers’  for unethical practices. This episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of recruitment and corporate culture.

In this episode:

• [01:07] - Introduction to  Devyn Mikell

• [01:13] -Introduction to QualiFI and what it does

• [01:41] - QualiFI's clientele base

• [02:05] - Challenges in healthcare recruitment

• [03:26] - Devyn's thoughts on the role of AI in healthcare jobs: supplementing or risky?

• [04:28] - Reaction to news story: Wells Fargo firing mouse jigglers

• [-6:13] - Ethical concerns in sales: Remote work trends and productivity

• [09:40] -Devyn's biggest challenge has been building a remote-first company

• [11:35] - Remote work mandate at Dell/Thecorporate escapee video

• [14:33] - Reaction to Dell's return to office policy

• [16:21] - Challenges of switching back to in-person work

• [17:57] - Remote work challenges

• [19:37] - Navigating political conversations at work

• [30:34] - Decline in software developer demand

• [34:22] - Gen Z's interest in skilled trades

• [36:23] - The ego and humility

• [37:28] - Events and networking

About Our Guest:

Devyn Mikell is the President and Co-Founder of Qualifi, a startup transforming phone interviews into scalable business intelligence to enhance candidate experience. An entrepreneur and business leader from Indianapolis, IN, Devyn thrives on connecting with others and understanding their perspectives. He also started a food truck in his senior year of college, reflecting his passion for food and innovation. A 2017 graduate of Indiana State University with a Bachelor's in Operations and Supply Chain Management, Devyn excelled in Track & Field, winning several medals in the Long Jump. Devyn also coaches Track & Field, demonstrating his commitment to mentoring and development.

• LinkedIn

• Qualifi Website

Here are a few clips from the show. Just click on the link to access the LinkedIn page for the podcast. We will figure out a better way to do this in other episodes:

JOEL’s take away from the episode:

I'm a huge fan of remote work from an employee perspective but from a leadership point of view, it can bring up several challenges, especially with early-stage companies. This week's guest Devyn Mikell addresses those challenges and how to overcome them. He suggests having regular offsite as a team and providing an in office option. We then transitioned to discussing the P word, yes Politics.

I did a poll on Linkedin recently :

90% of people said that we shouldn’t be discussing politics at work because it's too divisive. Devyn shares his POV on the topic. I think there can be a way to have a fruitful discussion if done right.

Thanks for tuning in to this week's episode of Recruiting is No Joke.