Nihal Solomon

Wage growth is still outpacing inflation, but just barely. According to the latest update from the Indeed Hiring Lab, posted wages grew just 2.9% YoY in June. That’s a significant slowdown from recent years, and it’s especially noticeable in lower-wage, hourly roles. What stood out to me: Nearly half of workers aren’t seeing real wage gains when adjusting for inflation. Job postings and hiring activity are cooling in key hourly sectors like food service and hospitality. Turnover risk may be rising, as financial strain grows for many hourly workers despite a stable overall quits rate. This is a critical moment for employers to consider retention strategies. Competitive wages are still the primary lever, but we’re seeing that they need to go further to really make an impact. #HiringTrends #LaborMarket #HourlyWorkers #WageGrowth #IndeedHiringLab

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How I saved my client $2.3 million annually (While competitors kept bleeding cash on contractors) Most organizations waste 35% of their contingent workforce budget. They engage vendors without proper vetting. They skip performance tracking. They ignore compliance risks. The result? Millions lost every year. Here's the data-driven approach that changed everything: **Custom KPIs for every vendor** Track delivery speed, quality scores, and cost per hire. Most companies use generic metrics. Smart leaders create specific benchmarks. **AI-powered compliance monitoring** Automated systems catch contract violations before they cost you. Manual reviews miss 60% of issues. Technology doesn't. **Dynamic vendor segmentation** Tier vendors by strategic value and risk level. High-value partners get premium treatment. Low performers get managed out. **Real-time spend analytics** Weekly dashboards show exactly where money goes. No more surprise budget overruns. No more vendor bloat. The companies using this framework reduce contingent costs by 25-40%. They also improve service quality and reduce compliance risks. Your contingent workforce should drive growth, not drain budgets. What's your biggest challenge with contractor spending?

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I joined Tim Ratliff, VP of Technology and Innovation, and Jason Smith, President of Avionté+, a little while back for a conversation on how APIs are reshaping staffing operations. We discussed: What APIs actually do for staffing firms How automation can improve efficiency and candidate experience Best practices for integrating Avionté API+ with your ATS, VMS, payroll, and more If you’re looking to connect your tech stack, cut down on manual work, and empower your recruiters, this is a must-watch. Watch the full discussion here: https://lnkd.in/exEBUKXy #StaffingIndustry #Automation #API #Technology #StaffingTech Avionté Staffing Software #Avionte

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Interesting.... 89% of TA Teams Struggle With Data Visibility: 2026 Talent Acquisition Outlook Report Only 23% of TA organizations can connect their recruitment spending to actual hiring outcomes, according to Symphony Talent’s 2026 Talent Acquisition Outlook Report, while 89% rate their visibility...Read more 66% of Recruiters Say Finding Talent Is Harder, Though Applications Have Doubled Key takeaways: Applications doubled since 2022, yet 80% of job seekers feel unprepared, and 66% of recruiters can’t find qualified candidates. With 93% of recruiters expanding AI use and 59% 

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THIS WEEK IN REC TECH ...powered by Dalia & Jobcase, Inc. * HiringBranch launches screening tool * HiBob launches HR community * UKG adds venture funding * ADP buys compensation mgmt tool * VeroSkills lands $5M for blue collar staffing LISTEN: https://lnkd.in/e8VQf8T9 SUBSCRIBE: https://lnkd.in/e5bvD5E8

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Tech hiring is cooling, but demand for critical skills remains strong. As Computerworld reports, November saw continued declines across parts of the tech sector, signaling a more selective, skills-focused market. As Kye Mitchell, President of Experis US, puts it, “For professionals, it’s clear: upskill in AI, data engineering, and security to stay ahead.” This is exactly what we focus on at Experis. Helping clients and tech talent stay competitive by connecting in-demand skills to measurable business outcomes. 👉 Read more: https://bit.ly/3N5oc5a #TechTalent #FutureOfWork #AI #Upskilling #Experis

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How do successful Talent Acquisition leaders consistently stay ahead, create strategic impact, and drive measurable business value? After interviewing hundreds of innovative TA leaders for the Recruiting Future podcast over 10 years, I've noticed some clear patterns. The TA Leaders who really make a difference to their organization share four key capabilities: Foresight: Anticipating future trends and proactively preparing for what's next. Influence: Building credibility and effectively securing senior stakeholder support. Talent: Identifying and adopting innovative approaches to attract and retain critical skills. Technology: Strategically selecting and implementing recruiting technologies, including AI, to stay ahead. Inspired by these insights, I've developed the FITT for The Future Framework, a simple, practical model designed to help TA leaders quickly build strategic clarity, enhance their influence, and proactively shape the future of their organizations. We are currently experiencing the most disruptive period Talent Acquisition has ever faced, making capability in these four pillars more critical than ever. Next week, I'll be sharing more about the FITT Framework, starting with my presentation at RecFest UK (11:00 a.m. on the Discovery Stage - see you there if you're going!). I'll also provide practical resources to help you benchmark your capabilities and enhance your own capabilities. In the meantime, please share in the comments: What capabilities do you think the best TA Leaders have?

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Stop buying features. Start buying adoption. Most contingent workforce programs are built on a house of cards: Great strategy, expensive tech, but zero user engagement. After years in the trenches of MSP-enabled programs, direct sourcing initiatives and numerous HR Tech products, I’ve noticed a pattern: Compliance and control only improve when design improves. If your hiring managers, suppliers, and talent are fighting the system, you don't have a program. You have a barrier. Starting today, I’m launching a series on the Human Side of Workforce Technology. We’re going to look at: - What hiring managers actually do when they’re under pressure. - Why "more features" often lead to less ROI. - How the Contingent Talent Experience is your biggest brand risk. No fluff. Just the reality of how services and workflow outperform platforms alone. If you’re responsible for HR tech decisions or workforce strategy, follow along. The goal is simple: Make your program easier to sell, easier to deliver, and easier to scale. What’s the biggest "workaround" you see in your current tech stack? Let's discuss. #WorkforceStrategy #VMS #MSP #OperationalExcellence #Leadership

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It's the perfect time to catch up with our latest Search Pod episode, featuring our newest guest, Logan Pudalov, Head of U.S. Business at Quantum Technology Recruiting Inc. (QTR) In this episode, we discuss navigating tech recruitment, hiring challenges, plans for 2026 and more! Listen in right here 👇 Spotify - https://lnkd.in/ehx9EHQ6 YouTube - https://lnkd.in/e24zEBwX Apple - https://lnkd.in/egqnAizZ Amazon - https://lnkd.in/e5iuABbp - - - - - - - - - - THE SEARCH PODCAST is proudly sponsored by Ascen. Ascen's all-in-one platform is fully white-labelled and handles onboarding, payroll, invoicing, insurance, benefits, and optional embedded payroll funding.

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🚀 Vendorship Partnership Program – Pathtech Staffing We’re excited to invite vendors and partners to collaborate with Pathtech Staffing through our Vendorship Partnership Program—designed to build strong, long-term, and mutually beneficial relationships. In a fast-moving and competitive market, the right partnerships make all the difference. At Pathtech Staffing, we focus on creating a reliable and growth-driven vendor network where opportunities, transparency, and success are shared. 💼 What you get as our partner: ✔ Consistent and quality business opportunities ✔ Fast & hassle-free onboarding process ✔ Transparent communication and clear processes ✔ Strong pipeline support to help you scale ✔ Long-term collaboration with a growing organization 📈 Why Pathtech Staffing? We are expanding rapidly and continuously strengthening our client and vendor ecosystem. Our goal is simple—build a win-win environment where both partners grow together and achieve consistent success. 🤝 Whether you are an established vendor or looking to expand your business footprint, this is your opportunity to be part of a trusted and growing network. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gczAWk9V 📅 Book a meeting: https://lnkd.in/eKuYH8fB 📩 Contact us: supplier@pathtechstaff.com Let’s collaborate, grow, and achieve success—together. #PathtechStaffing #Vendorship #Partnership #BusinessGrowth #B2B #Collaboration #VendorNetwork #Opportunities

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74% of hiring managers worry about keeping up with candidates’ compensation expectations through next year, according to the 2026 Salary Guide from RobertHalf. Staying competitive starts with understanding market value for key roles. Let’s fix that. DM me for early access to the 2026 Salary Guide and get your own customized report. Use that combo to budget and plan your hiring strategy for the year ahead. #RHSalaryGuide

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Tech hiring is cooling, but demand for critical skills remains strong. As Computerworld reports, November saw continued declines across parts of the tech sector, signaling a more selective, skills-focused market. As Kye Mitchell, President of Experis US, puts it, “For professionals, it’s clear: upskill in AI, data engineering, and security to stay ahead.” This is exactly what we focus on at Experis. Helping clients and tech talent stay competitive by connecting in-demand skills to measurable business outcomes. 👉 Read more: https://bit.ly/3N5oc5a #TechTalent #FutureOfWork #AI #Upskilling #Experis

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🔎 Our report in collaboration with The Josh Bersin Company is your guide to the AI-driven TA revolution. We explore how AI is redefining recruiting, outlining five strategic imperatives for transformation, and share actionable guidance to pilot, scale, and lead in this new era: https://lnkd.in/ehnTa3Dg What you’ll learn in the paper: - Why there is an urgency for change in talent acquisition - What an AI-powered TA process looks like - How the role of the recruiter is evolving - How AI is reshaping the TA tech stack - The 5 key imperatives driving the TA revolution Don’t miss these vital expert insights on how TA teams are leveraging AI to align with business goals, elevate recruiter roles and deliver measurable ROI. #Hiring #Leadership #Recruitment #TalentAcquisition #TalentClimate #AI #ArtificialIntelligence

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I am excited to share the 2026 Workforce Planning Guide from Addison Group. Many forces shaping the U.S. labor market - technology, workforce demographics, and economic uncertainty - are not new, but their impact has intensified, creating greater complexities and possibilities. The pace of change can feel overwhelming, but with change comes opportunity. Today, both companies and employees are more selective, waiting for the “perfect” fit. Employers who hesitate risk missing out on specialized talent, particularly in high-growth areas like cybersecurity and data engineering, while candidates must recalibrate expectations around compensation and work-life balance. At the same time, many organizations are broadening their talent pools by shifting from degree requirements to skills-based hiring. The rapid adoption of AI is no longer just an emerging trend. It is transforming nearly every industry, job function, and workplace process. Employers are under pressure to integrate these tools responsibly, while employees must adapt by building new skills and learning to collaborate with AI rather than compete with it. This shift is creating a premium on professionals who combine technical fluency with creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability. Addison Group is uniquely positioned to guide you through these dynamics with confidence. Whether you are seeking the right hire, developing your existing team, or analyzing workforce and salary trends, this year’s Workforce Planning Guide offers a clear view of today’s market, from emerging trends to national and local salary data, to help you plan strategically for the year ahead. We look forward to partnering with you as you navigate this evolving landscape. Download the 2026 Workforce Planning Guide today. https://lnkd.in/gDD6xSsQ #workforceplanning #salary #talentsolutions #hiring #trends #AI

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