The Truth About TA & HR Software: What Vendors Don’t Tell You – with Phil Strazzulla

In this episode, Denise Chaffin is joined by Phil Strazzulla, founder of SelectSoftware Reviews, to dive deep into the world of HR technology. Phil shares how HR leaders can avoid costly mistakes when selecting software, why incentives shape product quality, and how AI is shifting what’s possible in recruiting and performance management. From the value of open APIs to the ethics of automation, this episode offers practical advice for navigating the ever-evolving HR tech landscape.

Key Episode Segments:

• Not All Software Is Created Equal – Phil explains how vendor incentives impact software quality, and why niche startups often outperform big suite providers.

• API Openness Matters – Tools like Greenhouse have excelled by being early adopters of open APIs, unlocking a robust third-party ecosystem.

• Ask Smarter Questions – HR leaders should go beyond “Do you integrate?” to “What does that integration actually do?”

• AI Is a Tool, Not a Decision-Maker – While automation can streamline tasks, final hiring and performance decisions still require human judgment.

• Don’t Fear the Tech — Learn It – As AI reshapes recruiting, embracing new tools is essential to stay relevant and effective.