Every few years, someone claims recruiting is on the verge of extinction. First it was CareerBuilder. Then came Monster, Indeed, and now it's artificial intelligence, job boards, and social media.

Let me be clear. I’ve been hearing this narrative for years, and yet here we are.

The reality is that while technology continues to evolve, the value of a skilled recruiter remains unchanged. In fact, it's more important than ever. There are key parts of the recruiting process that technology still cannot replicate, and likely never will.

Here’s what technology cannot replace:

The human connection. Technology can surface profiles, but it cannot build relationships, interpret tone, or earn trust. A good recruiter knows how to guide someone through uncertainty and career transition with empathy and insight. In all my years of recruiting, I’ve found that employers rarely hire candidates they haven’t met in person or through a virtual meeting.

The ability to negotiate. Salary ranges and market data are useful, but conversations around money are personal. Recruiters know how to bridge the gap between expectation and reality, keeping deals alive when others would fall apart.

The process of managing send-outs and closes. Submitting a resume is one thing. Preparing a candidate, aligning expectations, and navigating decision-making on both sides is something entirely different.

Technology, when used properly, is a gift. It helps us scale and move faster. But for recruiters who rely on it as a crutch, who hide behind emails and avoid real conversations, it becomes a curse. Those recruiters will get replaced. And that’s okay.

Another point I feel strongly about is the word ghosting. If ghosting is a word you use regularly in your hiring conversations, you may need to reevaluate your approach.

True recruiters do not get ghosted. They know how to reach people, whether the candidate is actively searching or completely off the grid. They know how to lead career conversations, not just chase leads.

At the end of the day, recruiting is about people. As long as hiring involves human beings, real recruiters will always matter.