#119- How Mike Malinowsky Blends AI with Humanity in Modern Recruiting
About This Episode
Episode Summary Mike Malinowsky didn’t stumble into recruiting. He chose it as a life decision. After spending more than a decade in the U.S. Army working in communications and IT, Mike and his wife made a pivotal call when their kids reached middle school: stability mattered more than constant relocation. That decision led him into Army recruiting, a move that not only kept him home for dinner, but uncovered a career he genuinely loves. What followed was a crash course in true headhunting. Military recruiting forced Mike to source creatively, build trust with young candidates and their families, and operate without relying on inbound applicants. That experience shaped his belief that the best agency recruiters are hunters first. In this episode, Mike and Clark break down the difference between the art and science of recruiting, why so many recruiters rely too heavily on tools, and how scrappiness separates top producers from everyone else. The conversation then shifts into what Mike calls a “humanity audit.” As AI tools flood the industry, he challenges recruiters and hiring teams to examine where automation is quietly stripping away potential. From auto-rejection filters to over-polished AI messaging, Mike argues that technology should be a multiplier, not a replacement. His core message is simple: if you want higher response rates, better negotiations, and long-term trust, keep it human. For recruiters navigating AI overload, market shifts, and candidate fatigue, this episode is a grounded reminder that relationships still win. Mike's Bio Mike Malinowsky is the Director of Recruiting at Lean Synergy Solutions and a former U.S. Army recruiting leader. After serving more than a decade in communications and IT, Mike transitioned into Army recruiting to prioritize family life, quickly rising to lead recruiting stations and mentor teams of recruiters. Following his military retirement, Mike moved into agency and government subcontract recruiting, where he continues to focus on high impact placements across manufacturing and specialized industries. Known on LinkedIn as “The Genuine Recruiter,” Mike is passionate about blending AI driven efficiency with authentic human connection. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemalinowsky/ Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices