Ep 701: Solving The Early Careers Crisis

The early careers landscape is experiencing unprecedented disruption. While AI technology offers opportunities to transform how organizations operate, it eliminates many administrative tasks that once formed the foundation of entry-level positions. At the same time, employers are rigidly demanding years of experience and specific technical skills for roles labeled as "entry-level," leaving Gen Z unable to even begin their careers and risking their disconnection from the workforce altogether.

So, how can talent acquisition professionals transform this crisis into an opportunity?

My guest this week is Caitlin McGregor, CEO and co-founder of Plum. Caitlin shows how employers can leverage Gen Z as the first AI-native workforce who don't have to unlearn old ways of working - they can start with AI-powered approaches from day one without the burden of "how things used to be done." But accessing this advantage requires shifting focus toward durable skills like innovation, adaptation, and communication, not the hard, perishable skills most employers are currently looking for

In the interview, we discuss:

• How AI is disrupting the foundation of early careers

• The issues with employers demanding three years of experience for entry-level roles

• The outdated lens we're using to evaluate Gen Z talent

• Why Gen Z can approach work from an AI-first perspective without legacy thinking

• How durable skills like innovation and adaptation predict long-term performance

• The importance of assessment tools that provide value to the candidate

• The success Scotiabank has had by eliminating the use of resumes in campus hiring

• What does the future look like?

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