// Recruitment Influencers
August 2025’s Atlas30: This Month’s Top Recruitment Influencers
04/09/2025
7 MIN
As summer wraps up and the recruitment industry gears up for a busy autumn, it is the perfect moment to reflect, recharge and refocus. The August 2025 edition of the Atlas30 brings together a fresh group of top recruitment influencers who are leading conversations around growth, tech adoption and people-first hiring.
From smart strategies to practical advice, these voices continue to raise the bar for what’s possible in agency recruitment. With plenty of the year still to come, now’s the time to take stock, gain perspective and get inspired by the people who are shaping the future of recruitment.
Explore practical ideas and proven tactics from August’s standout influencers
Staying steady when deals fall through
Hishem’s post hits home because it’s real. He doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that recruitment can be brutal. Clients pull offers, candidates ghost, and things fall apart even after you’ve done everything right. What makes this post powerful is how grounded it is in lived experience.
Hishem doesn’t vent; he shares a mindset shift that recruiters can actually use. It’s a reminder that the job will always throw curveballs, but how you respond can make all the difference. That kind of emotional honesty, mixed with clear advice, is what makes this a standout post for anyone in agency recruitment.
Key takeaway: Recruitment will always throw you off — the best recruiters learn to manage their reaction, not the chaos.
Consistency beats quick wins
Joel’s post cuts through the noise with something that feels honest and grounded. Instead of pushing the myth of overnight success, he highlights what actually matters: consistency, resilience and showing up even when it’s hard.
For agency recruiters constantly chasing targets and navigating setbacks, this message is a powerful reminder that progress often happens behind the scenes. Joel’s storytelling, based on a real conversation, makes the message more personal and relatable. It gives recruiters permission to embrace the long game and focus on small, steady wins instead of chasing quick, unsustainable growth.
Key takeaway: Success in recruitment comes from showing up consistently, not showing off occasionally.
Why empathy is still a recruiter’s superpower
Carolyn’s post is powerful because it speaks directly to the emotional toll of job searching, something agency recruiters need to stay deeply aware of. She outlines the real-life pressures candidates face — financial uncertainty, rejection, silence — and gives voice to the quiet struggles often hidden from view.
For recruiters, this post is a chance to pause and reflect not only on their own challenges, but also on what candidates might be carrying with them into every call and interview. Carolyn’s message builds empathy, reminds recruiters why candidate care matters, and reinforces the importance of being human in a high-pressure role.
Key takeaway: Recruiters who lead with empathy are more likely to build trust, improve candidate experience, and stay resilient themselves.
Why complacency is the silent career killer for recruiters
Greg’s post calls out a quiet threat in recruitment that many overlook: complacency. As a top recruitment influencer, Greg urges recruiters to stay sharp, adaptable and open to growth. The post-COVID boom gave many early wins, but markets shift, and yesterday’s success does not guarantee tomorrow’s relevance.
What matters now is coachability — the willingness to unlearn, relearn and continuously improve. Greg’s advice is clear: the best recruiters are not the ones who claim to know it all, but those who stay curious, humble and ready to evolve with the industry. A timely message for staying ahead in today’s market.
Key takeaway: Complacency, not competition, is the real threat — top recruiters stay curious, coachable and ready to adapt.
How founder focus can future-proof your recruitment agency
Sean’s post is a powerful message to recruitment founders: now is not the time to take a back seat. As a top recruitment influencer, Sean argues that AI and market shifts are moving too quickly for leaders to remain hands-off.
Founder visibility, adaptability, and direct customer insight are no longer optional — they are critical for staying competitive. Delegating without staying close to the action risks missing key signals in a fast-changing environment. Sean calls on founders to re-engage with their market, act quickly and lead from the front to ensure their businesses stay relevant and resilient.
Key takeaway: Founders who stay visible, informed and engaged are best positioned to lead through rapid change.
Emerging voices: top growing recruitment influencers
Why people still matter most in an AI-first world
Anita’s post challenges a worrying shift in how organisations are positioning themselves in the age of AI. As a top recruitment influencer, she urges companies not to move from being people-centric to technology-centric.
While AI is a powerful tool, it cannot replace what makes teams truly effective: human connection, trust and shared values. Anita highlights that when employees feel like they are being replaced rather than empowered, companies risk losing not just talent but the core of their success. The smartest agencies in 2025 will strike a balance — using technology to support people, not sideline them.
Key takeaway: The most forward-thinking recruiters use AI to amplify their people, not replace them.
The surprising value of AI rejection when done right
Glen’s post opens up an important discussion on candidate experience in a world where AI is increasingly involved in hiring. As a top recruitment influencer, Glen poses a simple but revealing question: would candidates prefer a rejection from a human with no explanation, or from AI with a full explanation?
With nearly 80% choosing the latter, it’s clear that transparency outweighs the source. Glen’s post cleverly uses an interactive poll to drive engagement and highlight how expectations are shifting. For agency recruiters, the takeaway is clear — clarity, context and communication matter more than ever.
Key takeaway: Candidates value clear, honest feedback more than who delivers it — even if it comes from AI.
In their own words: insights from top recruitment influencers on air
What hospitality recruitment can teach every agency recruiter
Sonny Dickinson joins top recruitment influencer Lysha Holmes to explore how purpose-driven leadership is reshaping hospitality recruitment. From launching Core Elevate to championing empathy through “cuddle afternoons,” Sonny shares a refreshing take on humanising the candidate experience.
This episode is a must-listen for agency recruiters who want to build stronger brands, lead with authenticity and stay people-focused in a fast-changing market. A great reminder that niche expertise and emotional intelligence are still major differentiators in recruitment.
Why automation is about strategy, not shortcuts
In this episode, James Whitelock sits down with Martyn Redstone — widely known as “Mr. AI” — for a deep dive into how AI and automation are reshaping recruitment.
Martyn shares insights from two decades in the industry, including building early recruitment chatbots and launching the first AI-focused agency in the sector. This conversation is essential for recruiters looking to futureproof their workflows, improve candidate experience and understand how tech can be used responsibly, not just reactively.
Take these lessons into Q4 and scale with Atlas
As we head into the final stretch of 2025, now is the time to turn fresh insights into real results. The leaders featured in this month’s Atlas30 are not just posting, they are building better processes, stronger teams and more resilient businesses.
Whether you are refining your workflows, testing new tech or upskilling your consultants, there is something here for every agency recruiter. Make sure to also explore our June 2025 top influencer ranking for even more valuable insights.
To take things further, explore how Atlas can support you as an end-to-end solution for recruitment automation. From sourcing to scheduling, it helps you reduce admin and stay focused on what really drives growth.
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