32 - Is 'Mar-A-Lago Face' coming to HR Tech?

In the rush to stay ahead, HR Tech vendors have gone all-in on AI—so much so that, at first glance, they’re all starting to look… the same. It’s like the tech equivalent of the “Mar-a-Lago face”: too much enhancement, too little differentiation. Everyone’s boasting AI-powered this and machine-learning that, but when every product has the same glowing buzzwords, buyers start to wonder—what’s actually real?

What made technology (and people) stand out in the past was their differences—the quirks, the unique capabilities that set them apart. Think of Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing: she had a nose. Something she was self-conscious about, so she changed it. But in doing so, she lost what made her instantly recognizable.

The same risk applies to HR Tech vendors today. In the race to keep up with AI, companies are smoothing out their edges, erasing what made them special. The danger? They don’t just lose their uniqueness; they become indistinguishable, like the perfectly polished but eerily soulless women of The Stepford Wives.

Just look at the sheer amount of exhibitors on the Transform floor this week. What stands out?

Obviously, I'm glossing over the point with the list of sponsors, but the sheer number of vendors in the space IS overwhelming for buyers. Everyone could have the potential to solve your people issues or could be another repackaged version of existing AI technology, such as ChatGPT, masquerading as a solution.

Meanwhile, competition in HR Tech is getting messy. Case in point: Deel was recently accused of planting a spy inside Rippling to gain insider information. Whether this is corporate espionage or just an overblown startup drama, it’s a reminder that in a market this crowded, some companies will do whatever it takes to get ahead—because when everyone looks the same, standing out is everything.

Side note: As I went down the exhibitor row, I started to think that some of these companies could easily be one of the pills I see advertised on TV. You know the ones where they gloss over horrible side effects while showing people laughing and bowling. "Talk to your doctor before taking Traliant if you are on diabetes medication. Do not combine with Nivati."

This week's Wrap features a spy thriller from Deel and Rippling , Harver finding a compromise for candidates and hiring teams, JobGet acquiring Seasoned , Datapeople bringing insights to the people, me doing a Michael McDonald impression on But First Coffee, and Kevin W. Grossman on My First Job. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Rippling accuses Deel of corporate espionage

[In a deep, dramatic voice…]

In a world where HR Tech giants battle for dominance, one man dares to go where no competitor has gone before. He’s a Deel insider, planted deep within the heart of Rippling . His mission? To siphon precious Slack intel, feeding secrets back to eager executives. But when his cover is blown, the hunter becomes the hunted. Trapped in a bathroom in Dublin, heart pounding, he watches the door—will he escape unseen, or is this the end of the line? As investigators close in, one question remains: Does this conspiracy reach all the way to the top of the Deel C-Suite?!

This isn't fake - this is really happening in HR Tech right now. Court filings are not easy to read, so instead I'm going to include the best run down of the allegations I've seen. Check out the TL:DR masterpiece from Ashley Herd here.

Harver introduces SmartJob Navigator to help candidates apply to jobs they are most suited for

One of the themes I heard at HR West last week, as well as from anyone in TA over the past 6 months, is that they are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of applicants they are receiving, not just because it is an employer's market, but because the majority of them aren't qualified for the role. Using different tools, they've found ways to mass apply for tons of jobs at once and wait for the job leads to come to them. I don't blame them. The candidate experience has been dogshit for too long. 6 or 7 interviews, uncertainty on where they stand, rude communications, even ghosting - it's all led us to here. This feels like a compromise from Harver, whose SmartJob Navigator matches a candidate to the job they are most qualified for. Worth checking out here.

JobGet Acquires Seasoned, Expanding Its Leadership in the Hourly Hiring Market, Bringing AI & Automation to Restaurant Hiring at Scale

My apologies for missing this last week. JobGet has bolstered it's position in the hourly hiring market by acquiring Seasoned . The move aims to integrate Seasoned's AI-driven tech, real-time hiring insights and recruiting automation. Full press release here.

Datapeople unlocks world-class recruiting analytics for all, making Insights accessible to more hiring teams

I'm a firm believer that if people have more information, they can make better decisions. Maybe if I knew exactly what the dangers of eating an entire calzone alone in the dark, I'd make a better decision and not eat my feelings. Datapeople announced this week that they are offering their analytics as a stand alone solution, bringing more insight into whatever hiring platform you already use. Check it out here.

I crashed But First Coffee with Jackye Clayton and John Baldino at Transform

It was great to catch up with Jackye Clayton ♕ and John Baldino in Vegas this week. I've been friends with both for years and they are both amazing people doing amazing things. I brought hugs and a killer Michael McDonald impression to their conversation. Check it out starting at minute 25 here.

My First Job with Kevin Grossman

In the latest episode of My First Job, I caught up with Kevin W. Grossman and learned about his journey from newspaper delivery boy to candidate experience icon. Check it out below or wherever you get your podcasts and look for new episodes every Thursday.