AI, Executive Search, and the Truth About Hiring: A Recruiter’s Perspective with Seann Richardson

In this candid and practical conversation, Michael Hayes sits down with Seann Richardson of Ascentria Search Partners, an executive search leader specializing in accounting, finance, and C-suite placements nationwide.
They pull back the curtain on what’s really happening in today’s hiring market from AI-written resumes to interview mistakes that quietly cost candidates the job.

They dive deep into:

🤖 How AI is changing resumes, job descriptions, and hiring decisions
📄 Why overusing AI can actually hurt your job search
⏳ How too many interviews cost companies top talent
🎯 The difference between active and passive candidates
📱 Social media mistakes that quietly eliminate candidates
🤝 Why networking still beats applying online
📉 The frustration hiring managers have with slow internal processes
🔁 Job hopping, career pivots, and when short stints raise red flags
🎓 How younger candidates stand out (or don’t) in today’s market

Seann shares her 10-80-10 rule for using AI responsibly, why vague interview answers like “I was underappreciated” raise concerns, and what executive-level hiring really looks like behind the scenes.

They also discuss:

• Why recruiters can’t “snap their fingers” and get someone a job
• What hiring managers really think when candidates don’t research the company
• The real reason networking works better than job boards
• How communication skills now outweigh technical skills in many roles
• Why trades may become even more valuable in an AI-driven world

This is an honest, unfiltered look at hiring from both sides — employer and candidate — with practical advice for navigating today’s evolving job market.