What’s your walkout song? If that question stumps you, you’re missing more than just a vibe check. In this convo, we get loud with Mike Sunderland from Hudson RPO as he rips into the unspoken power of walkout music, the overlooked layers of RPO, and how AI is quietly flipping recruiting on its head.
In this episode, we hit everything from the psychology of music in interviews to how AI tools are empowering candidates faster than employers can react. Mike breaks down why strategy—not execution—is the future battlefield of recruitment, and why staying nosy might be the smartest skill you’ve got.
Key Takeaways:
Walkout music isn’t just fun—it signals candidate confidence, personality, and energy.
Music bias is real, and it could be quietly shaping your hiring decisions.
RPO is the misunderstood middle child between staffing and corporate recruiting.
High RPO visibility = high expectations. Clients want ROI receipts.
AI isn’t coming for recruiters—it’s already here and candidates are using it first.
Recruiters must blend strategy with tech or get left behind.
Execution is becoming table stakes. Strategy is where the war will be won.
Continuous learning isn’t optional—relevance is a moving target.
Industry events aren’t just schmooze fests—they’re insight goldmines.
Curiosity isn’t a soft skill—it’s your recruiting superpower.
Timestamps:
00:00 – The Power of Walkout Music
03:13 – Understanding Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)
06:12 – The Role of AI in Recruitment
11:57 – Future of Recruiting: Strategy vs. Execution
20:13 – Learning and Growth in Recruitment
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This limited series was recorded live at the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit from the Chatterworks booth on the expo floor. We sat down with 20 Recruiting and TA leaders from around the world to hear what today’s best recruiters are doing to stay sharp, stay relevant, and stay ahead. Powered by Chatterworks, the platform that helps recruiters transform the way they connect with top talent.
Learn more about Chatterworks here: https://chatterworks.com/
Connect with the guest:
Mike Sunderland LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsunderland1
Connect with Us:
William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/
Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/
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