Recruitment Unfiltered: A candid look…

By Michele Katz

If there’s one thing recruitment has taught me over the last two decades, it’s this: people are endlessly fascinating and after more than 20 years in the world of hiring, interviewing, advising, coaching, managing, firefighting and occasionally playing therapist, I’ve decided it’s time to talk about it all. Honestly. Openly. With no corporate gloss.

Welcome to Recruitment Unfiltered, my monthly deep‑dive into the messy, wonderful, unpredictable world of people and the jobs they hope to thrive in.

I’ve launched this monthly blog to share the insights I’ve gathered across these two decades of shifting markets, evolving technologies, changing candidate expectations and industry trends that come and go.

My goal is simple: To give you a real, honest look at recruitment – the wins, the challenges, and the human stories in between.

This won’t be a textbook. It won’t be “10 tips for your CV” unless I really think they’ll help. And it definitely won’t be sugar‑coated.

Each month, I’ll share the things I’ve learned – the moments that made me laugh, cry, question humanity, restore my faith in humanity and why I have stayed

You can expect stories, insights, and practical wisdom on:

• how the candidate experience has evolved
• what clients really want (but don’t always say)
• why some hires fail and others soar
• the emotional side of job searching
• the pressure recruiters face that nobody talks about
• culture fit vs. culture add
• counteroffers, tricky conversations, red flags, green flags
• how the world of work keeps transforming

And because this is Recruitment Unfiltered, you’ll get it as it is: honest, human, and hopefully a little entertaining.

So let’s start at the beginning: What’s changed, what hasn’t

Over 20+ years, recruitment has shifted in ways I never imagined. Technology, speed, expectations, communication styles, remote work, Gen Z rewriting the rulebook, AI reshaping processes… the variations are endless.

But here’s the beautiful constant: People still just want to be understood. Candidates want meaningful opportunities. Companies want people they can trust. Everyone wants clarity, connection and someone who genuinely listens.

And that’s why recruitment still matters. Deeply.

Here’s to the journey ahead

This blog is for candidates trying to navigate the job market, clients wanting to hire better, fellow recruiters who’ve seen it all and anyone who enjoys a peek into the human side of business.

I’m excited to share my world with you – unfiltered, unedited and unapologetically real.

Welcome to Recruitment Unfiltered.

* Michele joined CN&CO Recruit in 2025 to bolster our recruitment activity in the insurance sector. So far she has made a few awesome placements, with more in the pipeline. If you would like to get in touch, pop her a mail.