The Evolution of Executive Recruiting in the Age of AI
April 1, 2025 – Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing executive search by enhancing the efficiency of research, candidate sourcing, and assessment processes. AI-powered tools analyze vast datasets to identify potential candidates, assess their qualifications, and predict how well someone might fit a role, according to article from global talent provider True’s Josh Withers. “Talent mapping, once a drawn-out process, is now faster thanks to real-time insights into market trends and candidate availability,” he said. “We’ve reached a point where AI isn’t in the distant future; it’s actively reshaping how we find top-tier talent today.”
Mr. Withers explains that we have seen this before. “We saw a profound shift in the executive search world from the pre-internet to the internet era,” he said. “Tasks like conducting research on management teams and connecting with potential candidates were once time-consuming. We faxed documents, purchased expensive books with company information, and spent hours calling company directories. It was painful, but it was what we knew.”
Fast forward to the internet age, and search firms suddenly had instant access to a wealth of information, according to Mr. Withers. He points to how search engines like Google allowed us to quickly find company information, news articles, and contact details. “Professional networking sites like LinkedIn offered a platform to connect with candidates and learn about their skills, while online databases provided access to resumes, company profiles, and industry trends,” Mr. Withers said. “Just as the internet drastically changed how we worked in the late 1990s and early 2000s, AI is poised to lead a new era, and we know it will quickly and profoundly change the way we work. At True, we are actively building that future and setting the tone for innovation in support of our clients’ ambitious goals.”
Preparing Organizations for the Future
Since True’s beginnings from a nimble startup to a top global executive talent platform, the firm has partnered with the most pioneering technology companies, navigating their growth from startups to industry leaders.
Related: Delivering Talent for the AI Revolution
“We’ve also collaborated with established organizations eager to embrace the latest technology and, more importantly, the people driving those advancements,” Mr. Withers said. “This position in the talent ecosystem gives us a superior understanding of how innovation, transformation, and talent go hand-in-hand. This is also reflected in our own evolution as we develop Thrive 2.0, our industry leading executive search software. Combined with our uniquely collaborative culture and dedication to exceptional service, True is poised to break into the top five search firms with a leading 15.1 percent growth rate in 2024, the highest in the top ten according to Hunt Scanlon. We’re redefining the landscape of executive search and building a precision talent platform for visionary companies, and frankly, we’re just getting started.”
AI Enhances, Not Replaces, Human Expertise
Executive recruiters continue to say that the future of executive talent acquisition is not about replacing humans with machines, but about empowering humans with the right tools. “AI will cause shifts in the job market, and some companies will hire fewer people, but it will also spawn many new companies,” said Mr. Withers. “The focus will shift towards upskilling and reskilling initiatives to prepare the workforce for emerging fields and the specialized talent needs of new industries. Executive search firms mastering the AI-human balance will lead these evolving markets, and we will explore how various industries and functions are changing in future posts.”
Josh Withers, a co-founder of True, recognized a need for greater transparency and data-driven strategies in executive search, combined with a collaborative approach. Over the years, Josh has held various leadership roles at True, including general manager of North America search, leader of the CEO and board practice, and initiator of the client services program. He has also played a key role in shaping the platform strategy and product development.
At True, Mr. Withers explains that AI frees up recruiters to focus on the strategic, human-centric aspects of their roles, where their expertise truly shines. The firm is automating administrative tasks, enhancing sourcing capabilities, and providing data-driven insights. True’s search team, meanwhile, continues to focus on building relationships, providing strategic counsel, and ensuring a highly personalized experience for both clients and candidates.
Challenges: Adoption, Ethics, and Regulation
Similar to previous advancements like the internet and social networks, AI adoption has met with initial resistance due to unfamiliarity and skepticism, according to Mr. Withers. “But as the technology becomes more user-friendly and their benefits become clear, recruiters, clients, and candidates will become more comfortable using these tools,” he said. “Early adopters, both individuals and industries, are already exploring and implementing AI solutions, paving the way for wider adoption. The increasing presence of AI in personal and consumer spheres—with AI-powered assistants and chatbots becoming popular—will also normalize these tools.”
Related: AI and the Workforce: Navigating the Balance Between Productivity and Uncertainty
Data privacy and ethical issues are another concern. “With legal debates rising on how LLMs use public data, having secure, private datasets is becoming an asset,” Mr. Withers said. “True, with its deep reservoir of candidate data including preferences, references, and career goals, is well-positioned here. But it’s not just about keeping data safe; it’s about using the tech ethically. AI tools are leveling the playing field by opening up access to career resources like resume help and interview prep. But at True, we’re keeping humans in the driver’s seat for key decisions, while letting AI tools, trained to spot biases, help us be more objective.”
The regulatory landscape surrounding AI in recruitment is still evolving, with current regulations focusing on AI’s role in decision-making, and shifting sentiments in Europe and the U.S. impacting its implementation, Mr. Withers points out. “At True, we believe that while technology can bring great efficiencies, humans should ultimately drive the final hiring decisions,” he said. “For example, an executive’s decision to commit years of meaningful work to a new team involves multiple layers of intricacy: managerial dynamics, strategic decisions, opportunity costs, and the impact on personal lives. Employers also weigh factors like leadership team alignment and organizational culture fit, complexities that AI cannot easily simplify into a yes/no answer.”
Talent Done Differently
True’s approach—talent done differently—is a refined blend of human expertise and advanced technology, and we continue to lead with vision to shape the future of the executive talent landscape. We’ve harmonized the art and science of recruitment through our collaborative culture and the best people in the industry, and this focus allows us to deliver the highest value to our clients, candidates, and internal teams to make a significant impact.
Working in both the private and public sectors, True Search has offices throughout the U.S. as well as the EMEA and APAC regions. Since the late 1990s, the firm’s founders have refined their search process with a blend of data-centric insights, relationship-building, and experience to produce a methodology that consistently improves hiring decisions and accelerates growth. The firm’s clients include Jet, Work Front, and Summit Partners. True Search is a subsidiary of True Platform, a global portfolio of human capital services and products for high-growth tech and tech-enabled organizations. True recently placed No. 6 on the Hunt Scanlon Media “Top 50 Recruiters” ranking.
Related: 5 C-Level Roles Being Impacted by AI
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
