Explore every episode of the podcast H.I.R.E.D. by iimjobs

Everyone wants to be agile. Everyone wants AI. Everyone wants flatter organisations, faster decisions, and future-ready talent.

But are companies truly transforming, or are they simply adding new technology to old ways of working?

In this episode of H.I.R.E.D. by iimjobs and ATT, we sit down with Mansee Singhal, Partner & Career Business Leader at Mercer India, to unpack one of the biggest workplace shifts of our time — how AI, changing workforce expectations, and organisational agility are reshaping the future of work.

From the rise of Gen Z to the evolving role of leadership, from flatter structures to skills-first hiring, this conversation explores what organisations need to do to remain relevant in a world where change is no longer a phase — it's the operating model.

🔹 Why Indian organisations are restructuring faster than their global counterparts
 🔹 Whether AI is driving real transformation or simply boosting productivity
 🔹 Why performance and productivity may need a complete rethink
 🔹 The truth about flatter organisations and decision-making speed
 🔹 How AI is changing the role of employees, especially mid-level talent
 🔹 The growing influence of Gen Z on workplace design and culture
 🔹 Why adaptability is becoming more valuable than experience alone
 🔹 What effective leadership looks like in an AI-enabled workplace

One of the most interesting takeaways from this conversation? The future of work may be powered by technology, but it will still be defined by people.

Watch the video episode now: https://youtu.be/NqRpP6c6t94

🔴 Do not forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights on leadership and hiring!

What actually makes someone "premium talent" today?

Is it pedigree? Titles? Brand names on a resume?

Or is it something far more difficult to assess — adaptability, judgment, learning agility, and the ability to create impact in fast-changing environments?

In this episode of HIRED by iimjobs & All Things Talent, we explore how leadership hiring is evolving and what it takes to attract and evaluate senior talent with Anusha Mallanna, Head of Talent at Zepto.

 From evaluating senior talent beyond traditional credentials to understanding what leaders look for before making a move, this conversation unpacks the realities of premium hiring in today's market.

You'll hear:

• Why the definition of premium talent is changing

• What senior leaders evaluate before accepting a new opportunity

• How organizations can distinguish strong resumes from real leadership potential

• The role of adaptability and judgment in high-growth environments

• Why employer brand and company narrative matter more than ever

• How AI is influencing expectations from future leaders

• What talent teams need to rethink to build stronger leadership pipelines

Whether you're a talent leader, hiring manager, business leader, or someone aspiring to step into leadership roles, this conversation offers valuable insights into what it takes to attract and evaluate top talent today.

Watch the video episode now: https://youtu.be/k6eXCfVimA0

🔴 Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more conversations on hiring, leadership, and the future of talent.

Everyone seems to have certifications. Everyone seems to know AI. Everyone seems to be upskilling.

So why do some professionals create extraordinary value while others struggle to stand out?

In this episode of H.I.R.E.D., by iimjobs and All Things Talent, we sit down with Abhilash George, Business Head – High Value Search at Randstad India, to explore how the definition of talent is changing in an AI-driven world.

From the declining importance of pedigree and the rise of outcome-based hiring to the growing premium on judgement, context, and ownership, Abhilash shares what organisations are truly looking for when evaluating talent today.

We discuss:

• Why pedigree and impressive resumes are no longer enough
• The difference between skills, capability, and real-world impact
• Whether AI proficiency can outweigh domain expertise
• Why organisations are prioritising ownership and business thinking
• The truth behind the so-called talent shortage
• What skills are becoming commoditised—and what will remain valuable in the age of AI

One particularly powerful insight from the conversation: AI may make execution faster, but it dramatically increases the value of knowing what should be executed in the first place.

Whether you're a leader, recruiter, HR professional, or someone navigating your own career journey, this episode offers a practical perspective on how talent, value, and employability are being redefined.

🔴 If this conversation made you reflect, do not forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights on leadership and hiring!

What if the resume was never really a talent document to begin with?

In this episode of HIRED by iimjobs & All Things Talent, we unpack this with a talent leader who doesn’t just talk about AI in hiring; she calls out what the current hiring model has been quietly getting wrong for years.

From why resumes sort for familiarity (not capability), to how recruiters must now become career coaches, ethical gatekeepers, and strategic advisors in an AI-powered world, this conversation is honest, sharp, and a little uncomfortable in the best way.

 If you work in hiring, HR, or leadership, or you’re a candidate trying to make sense of today’s job market, this one will change how you think about talent.

Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/aTWc9qXyX0g

🔴 If this conversation made you reflect, do not forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights on leadership and hiring!

Why do candidates really move?

It is not always compensation. It is not always titles. And it is rarely just about the next brand name on a CV.

In this episode of H.I.R.E.D. by IIMJobs and All Things Talent (ATT), we sit down with Shafi Ahmad, Head of Recruitment – India and Head of the Application Service Line across Global Delivery Centres, to unpack what truly drives career decisions today.

This is not a conversation about filling roles.
It is about understanding intent.

If you are in talent acquisition, leadership, or hiring, this episode will make you rethink how you listen in interviews.

Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/LAJ_JCcp0ME

🔴 If this conversation made you reflect, do not forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights on leadership and hiring!

Frontline hiring today exists in two parallel realities. Businesses plan in weeks. Workers think in days. This widening gap between organisational processes and frontline expectations is costing industries time, talent, and billions in lost productivity.

In this episode of the HIRED Podcast, Krishna Khandelwal, Founder & CEO of Hunar.ai, unpacks why traditional hiring models are failing frontline workforces and how conversational AI, powered through familiar platforms like WhatsApp, is changing the game.

Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/rbSVKtwhWs8

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this episode are 100% personal and do not represent any official position. We are here to learn, unlearn, and maybe rethink how we hire. 

What does premium talent really mean today and why is it still so hard to hire, despite a crowded job market?

In this episode, Anurag Lakhera, Talent Acquisition Leader at SoftwareOne, unpacks how premium hiring actually happens today. From redefining what 'high-impact talent' looks like to debunking common myths around niche hiring, Anurag shares how talent leaders approach sourcing, engagement, storytelling, and decision-making when the stakes are high.

Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/DpSjA251qRM

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this episode are 100% personal and do not represent any official position. We are here to learn, unlearn, and maybe rethink how we hire. 

What does it take to hire with heart in a world driven by rapid change? In this episode, Ruksar Julekha, Regional Leader, Talent Acquisition – India & Oversight Countries, ABB, opens up about her journey, her leadership philosophy, and how she is reimagining talent strategy for tomorrow’s workforce.

 Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/6muU6qqfnSc

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this episode are 100% personal and do not represent any official position. We are here to learn, unlearn, and maybe rethink how we hire. 

In this episode of H.I.R.E.D. by iimjobs, Sudha Vutukuru reimagines how campus hiring will evolve over the next decade. From AI-led assessments to skills-first recruitment and the future of human connection, she paints a vivid picture of what 2035 could look like. Catch her speaking on how technology and empathy will shape the next generation of hiring.

Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/4QluNI3lL-k

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this episode are 100% personal and do not represent any official position. We are here to learn, unlearn, and maybe rethink how we hire. 

In this eye-opening episode of H.I.R.E.D. by iimjobs, Venkataraman KR, Head of People Development at Tiger Analytics, pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to scale a company. It is not about hiring more but about building culture, sharpening leadership, and developing skills that fuel growth without diluting purpose. Get ready for a no-nonsense playbook on how people development powers sustainable success and why culture is your company’s secret weapon.

Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/k1hXI8hZRQs

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this episode are 100% personal and do not represent any official position. We are here to learn, unlearn, and maybe rethink how we hire. 

In this bold episode of H.I.R.E.D. by iimjobs, Megha Goel, CHRO at Godrej Properties, uncovers five hard-hitting truths about pay gaps in real estate, challenging merit, rethinking equity, and measuring what truly matters. Tune in for the blueprint on how the sector can finally build workplaces as inclusive as the cities it shapes.

 Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/UB4CP-vbs1A

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this episode are 100% personal and do not represent any official position. We are here to learn, unlearn, and maybe rethink how we hire. 

Hiring today is not what it used to be. Algorithms, hybrid work, evolving roles, and changing candidate behaviours have rewritten the rules. So how do you navigate this new hiring landscape without losing the human touch?

In this episode of H.I.R.E.D., powered by iimjobs and presented by All Things Talent, we interacted with Jharna Thammaiah, India Site People & Places Leader & Director HRBP at Intuit, to unpack some of the most pressing questions shaping talent acquisition today:
✅ Is hiring more about marketing than understanding candidates?
✅ How do companies attract and retain talent that thrives on change?
✅ Are employees staying under the radar to avoid burnout?
✅ Can we trust algorithms in hiring, or are they quietly shaping bias?
✅ Is diversity hiring a culture shift or a checklist?
✅ And what does 'gut feeling' even mean in a virtual world?

Whether you are an HR leader, recruiter, or curious professional, this conversation will give you fresh perspectives and actionable insights into the future of hiring.

 Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/K-_FvVvlVh8

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this episode are 100% personal and do not represent any official position. We are here to learn, unlearn, and maybe rethink how we hire.

What if your legacy is not in what you build, but in who you hire? We present Abhishek Misra, Head of HR – India at Rockwell Automation, who explores how hiring decisions shape leadership identity, values, and long-term impact. From thought-provoking questions to real-world reflections, this episode of H.I.R.E.D. dives into why people, not projects, carry your legacy forward.

This is an unmissable session for talent leaders, HR professionals, and anyone who believes people are the true legacy.

Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/KFID2-67KFI

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this episode are 100% personal and do not represent any official position. We are here to learn, unlearn, and maybe rethink how we hire.

On the 4th episode of H.I.R.E.D. by iimjobs, we sit down with Ramya Parashar, COO at MiQ, to explore how AI, data, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are transforming the world of marketing. With her rich background in tech, strategy, and operations, Ramya brings razor-sharp insights into how GCCs are no longer just backend engines—but front-runners in AI-led marketing innovation. Whether you're in HR, marketing, or tech, this conversation will make you rethink how businesses scale, market, and hire in the age of AI.

Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/NGa0AFnCZnY

Disclaimer: All views expressed are personal and meant to foster learning and fresh thinking.

How do women in tech really want to work, and what can companies do to meet them there?
On this episode of H.I.R.E.D., we interact with Moumita Kurup, HR leader, people strategist, and all-round hiring maven, about making tech careers work on women’s terms.
We break down everything from second-career programmes and upskilling internal talent, to writing better job descriptions and rethinking how flexible work really works.

Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/Cc7T0-5JUYY

A Chief People Officer is more than just an HR or talent leader. They are the storytellers of culture, the strategists behind people-first growth, and the bridge between business goals and human needs. In this episode, Rency Mathew, People Leader - India and South Asia, and MD, Sabre Bengaluru, takes us inside the evolving role of a People Officer. From leading with empathy to shaping organisational change, we unpack how modern people leaders are redefining what it means to truly put people at the centre.

Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/UVLisERkosQ

Talent acquisition isn’t just about filling seats—it is about shaping careers. In this chat with Mohit Sharma, Head-Talent Acquisition, KPMG, we decode how recruiters are evolving from talent scouts to career confidantes. Plus, why flashy employer branding isn’t enough anymore, companies need to put their money where their talent is.
 
Check out the video episode on https://youtu.be/4qrd2Fz9YMk