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RecTalk x Talking Talent x Mixed Grill: Agency vs TA, RecFest, AI & The Future of Recruitment

1 hr 2 minWatch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

About this episode

Nitin Sharma hosts a special crossover episode with Sean Kennedy and Bobby Banerjee, recorded at Full Swing Europe HQ. The trio explore the evolving relationship between agency recruiters and talent acquisition teams, discussing the realities of working in each function and the fundamental differences in how they approach hiring.

The conversation covers AI's impact on talent functions, the importance of relationship-building over transactional recruiting, and structural questions about where TA should sit within organisations. The hosts debate controversial topics including whether talent acquisition belongs in HR and discuss Jeremy Snell's prediction that TA has less than 18 months left in its current form. Throughout, empathy and understanding between agencies, TA teams, hiring managers and candidates emerges as a key theme.

Key takeaways

  • Agency and TA teams often misunderstand each other; building empathy improves recruiter effectiveness and partnerships.
  • AI will significantly reshape talent acquisition roles and functions in the coming months.
  • Relationship-building and stakeholder management beat transactional recruiting approaches.
  • Understanding when businesses should use agencies versus internal TA teams is critical for both functions.
  • Where TA sits organisationally—HR, RevOps, Sales or People Operations—affects hiring outcomes and team dynamics.

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