What does it really take to build a remote-first culture that actually works — not just one that’s an afterthought? How can AI become your secret weapon without losing the human touch in HR and recruiting? And what does “real candidate experience” even mean today?

This week, Joel Lalgee sits down with Sarika Lamont, VP of People and Culture at Vidyard, for an absolute masterclass in recruiting, people leadership, and AI integration. Sarika doesn’t just talk theory — she’s actively leading the AI transformation at Vidyard and shares what companies should be thinking about now to stay competitive and human-centered. From how Vidyard builds intentional remote-first systems, to why documenting everything is critical, and how recruiters are using AI avatars to create a mind-blowing candidate journey, this conversation is pure gold.

You’ll walk away with fresh ideas about AI enablement, building strong hiring processes, creating real culture (not just kombucha parties), and why understanding your business deeply is non-negotiable. If you’re a recruiter, talent leader, or job seeker who cares about what’s next, you won’t want to miss this episode with Sarika Lamont.

In this episode:

00:02 – Introduction and Setting the Stage

00:39 – Meet Sarika Lamont and Her Role at Vidyard

02:00 – Remote-First vs. Forced Work-From-Home Companies

03:31 – Redefining Company Culture Beyond Perks

05:00 – Communication and Documentation in a Remote-First Setup

07:15 – The Energy Shift for Extroverts in Remote Work

08:15 – In-Person Company Events and Growth Strategy

10:11 – The Power of Values in Vidyard’s Community

11:00 – How to Hire for Culture and Values

About Sarika Lamont

Sarika Lamont is the Vice President of People and Culture at Vidyard, a Canadian-based video platform for business communication. With over two decades of HR and leadership experience, she specialises in talent acquisition, organisational development, and driving strong company culture. Sarika currently leads Vidyard’s transition into a fully remote-first company while focusing on building scalable, people-first strategies.

Resource Links

Sarika Lamont | LinkedIn

Vidyard | Official Website

About Joel Lalgee

Joel Lalgee is an internationally known recruitment leader and coach who has helped thousands of recruiters build their brands online. In 2015, Joel started recruiting for a small start-up agency in Milwaukee. He quickly found his passion for recruitment. In 2019, he discovered content marketing, publishing his first posts on Linkedin. Since then, he has grown to over 400k followers, and his content has been seen over 1 billion times. In 2023, he started a business specializing in coaching recruiters, marketing consulting, and influencer partnerships.

Recruiting is No Joke Social Media

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What if the key to unlocking the future of recruitment lies not in cutting-edge technology, but in the timeless power of human connection? Could AI, with all its promise, actually be widening the gap between recruiters and the candidates they seek? And in a world where side hustles are on the rise and trust is harder to earn, how can recruiters and job seekers alike navigate the ever-shifting landscape of the job market?

In this episode of Recruiting is No Joke, we get real about the challenges and opportunities in the world of talent acquisition. Today, host Joel Lalgee is joined by Anna Taylor, Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Semperis , a leading cybersecurity software vendor. Together, they’re unpacking some of the biggest trends shaping recruitment right now—from the rise of AI tools to the enduring importance of human connection.

Anna shares her personal journey into recruitment and why she believes that, despite all the tech advancements, the heart of hiring still comes down to people. They dive into the unique challenges of recruiting in the cybersecurity sector, the impact of hybrid work models, and how to spot fraudulent candidates in an age of increasingly sophisticated scams.

But it’s not all about the challenges—Anna and Joel also share practical advice for job seekers, like how to craft a resume that stands out (hint: clarity and authenticity are key) and why networking is still one of the most powerful tools for career growth. Plus, they tackle the rise of side hustles and what it means for employers trying to build trust with their teams.

Whether you’re a recruiter, a hiring manager, or someone navigating the job market, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Let’s get into it!

In this episode:

(00:03) – Introduction to the podcast

(01:06) – Guest introduction

(01:55) – Anna's role at Semperis

(02:31) – Team structure and hiring

(02:58) – Remote vs. hybrid work preferences

(04:14) – Personal experiences with work models

(05:36) – Challenges of remote work

(09:23) – Recruitment journey

(11:30) – Previous experience in HR tech

(12:27) – Learning curve in tech recruitment

(13:43) – Growth of cybersecurity industry

(15:10) – Impact of AI on recruitment

(16:45) – The disruption of recruiting

(18:02) – The adrenaline rush of placement

(19:09) – AI in recruitment tools

(20:41) – Fake employees in interviews

(21:50) – Identifying fraudulent resumes

(22:16) – Consistent LinkedIn profiles

(23:16) – Security breaches during hiring

(24:24) – Application volume and resume trends

(25:16) – What recruiters look for in resumes

(26:10) – The importance of professional experience

(27:13) – Matching resumes to job descriptions

(28:07) – Resume length and relevance

(29:25) – Professional summary considerations

(29:32) – Understanding candidate potential

(30:26) – AI in recruiting challenges

(32:09) – Rise of side hustles

(33:15) – Screening for side hustles

(35:52) – Personal branding and networking

(37:25) – Advice for career starters

(38:44) – Networking strategies

(40:58) – Upcoming events and conferences

(41:46) – Connecting with the company

(42:48) – Long-term networking

About Anna Taylor

Anna Taylor is the Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Semperis, a cybersecurity software vendor specializing in...

Can bootcamps really transform your tech career? You’ve seen the bold claims—“Land a six-figure tech job in just 12 weeks!” Sounds like a dream, but is it too good to be true? With bootcamps becoming a popular shortcut into tech, it’s time to ask: do they really work, or are they just another overhyped trend?

In this episode of Recruiting is No Joke, host Joel Lalgee chats with Daniel Odegaard, head of talent acquisition at TripleTen, an IT bootcamp. They break down Daniel’s journey from agency to corporate recruiting, offering an insider’s perspective on the differences between the two. More importantly, they dive into the real role of recruiters, the power of candidate coaching, and whether bootcamps actually help people transition into tech careers.

Daniel doesn’t sugarcoat things—he talks about the importance of setting clear career goals, managing expectations, and doing your homework before jumping into a bootcamp. They also explore how AI is reshaping customer service, including Klarna’s CEO’s warning that AI could replace human jobs. While AI is great for efficiency, they discuss its shortcomings in empathy, human connection, and customer experience.

So, is a bootcamp your ticket to a tech career, or is there more to the story? Tune in to find out! And if you’re serious about breaking into tech, don’t forget to subscribe for more expert insights on navigating the job market.

In this episode:

• (00:03) Introduction to the podcast
• (00:36) Guest introduction
• (01:23) Daniel's background
• (02:10) First job in recruitment
• (04:45) Transitioning to corporate talent acquisition
• (06:27) Understanding recruitment incentives
• (07:34) Recruiters and candidate support
• (09:13) Value of paid services
• (10:12) Transitioning into tech
• (11:27) Advice for job seekers
• (12:38) Challenges of entering big tech
• (14:02) Understanding job market dynamics
• (15:47) Managing expectations in career transitions
• (17:35) Red flags in recruitment
• (18:44) Understanding program commitments
• (20:12) The tech job landscape
• (21:43) Long-term outlook on tech hiring
• (23:16) Reality of dream jobs
• (25:57) Skills for the future
• (28:40) AI's impact on employment
• (29:50) Klarna CEO's warning on AI
• (30:46) Human vs. AI in customer service
• (32:52) Empathy in customer service
• (32:19) Quality assurance challenges
• (33:46) AI’s strengths and limitations
• (34:59) Skepticism towards AI
• (35:34) Empathy simulation in AI
• (36:29) Disconnect in customer service
• (37:20) Mental health and technology
• (39:35) The future of human-centric companies
• (40:08) Rise of smaller companies
• (41:06) Impact of layoffs on customer relationships
• (42:25) Cultural shift towards micro communities
• (43:53) Parenting and technology boundaries
• (45:47) Disconnect from corporate leadership
• (47:26) Convenience vs. human connection
• (49:08) Conclusion and resources

About Daniel Odegaard

Daniel Odegaard is a senior recruiter at TripleTen, an international company specializing in tech education and career transitions. At