In this GoHire Talks episode, we dive into using AI in recruiting with Patrick Lindsley, a seasoned Recruiting Operations Director with two decades of experience, from builing recruiting processes and tech stacks from the bottom up.
Patrick shares how his “AI aha moment” came when ChatGPT helped him analyze and improve his recruiting workflow—revealing massive gains in sourcing efficiency and candidate quality.
From navigating 700 applicants for a single role to boosting candidate engagement with personalized AI-generated InMails, Patrick explains how AI in recruiting is no longer a futuristic idea—it’s a must-have advantage.
He discusses how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and sourcing platforms like SeekOut and HireEZ are transforming the recruiter’s daily workflow. The conversation is packed with practical advice for writing better AI recruiting prompts, building sourcing stacks, and navigating the emerging landscape of generative AI use cases in HR.
Whether you’re a recruiter, TA leader, or HR technologist, this episode highlights actionable strategies to stay ahead and avoid AI burnout.
Key Insights
ChatGPT helped improve sourcing efficiency by tripling quality sourcing hours per week.
Recruiters can use AI tools to analyze their own workflows and improve productivity.
AI tools like Perplexity and Claude are ideal for market research and messaging customization.
700 applicants, only 4 quality fits—AI helped sort the noise.
Prompt engineering is the new power skill for recruiters.
Recruiter burnout can be reduced with smart AI integration.
Sourcing tools like SeekOut and HireEZ offer edge cases LinkedIn alone misses.
AI in Recruiting: Patrick Lindsley’s Game-Changing Aha Moment
Patrick’s aha moment came when he used ChatGPT to analyze his recruiting process and realized his ratios of quality candidates were dropping. Despite a surge in well-crafted resumes, only 1 or 2 of every 10 interviews were quality leads. By feeding his process into ChatGPT, he discovered areas for optimization—and the result was a major leap in productivity.
Using ChatGPT to Improve Sourcing Efficiency and Candidate Quality
Patrick used ChatGPT to analyze job fit, identify resume gaps, and craft personalized messages. The tool allowed him to jump from 2-3 hours of quality sourcing per week to nearly 10. Customized InMails improved his response rates significantly—sometimes up to 50%. That’s the ROI $20 a month can deliver.
How Generative AI Use Cases in HR Are Redefining Recruiter Productivity
Generative AI isn’t just about automation—it’s about enhancement. Patrick explained how even basic prompt workflows can simulate having a second or third recruiter by your side. Recruiters can pre-train ChatGPT to audit workflows, write email sequences, and summarize resumes with surprising accuracy.
Building Smarter Recruiting Workflows with SeekOut, HireEZ, and Instantly
Patrick recommends combining platforms like SeekOut and HireEZ with automation tools like Instantly.ai. These tools not only scrape data but allow multi-step email sequencing and integrations with CRMs. SeekOut’s GitHub search, for example, uncovers developers not even listed on LinkedIn.
From 700 Resumes to 4 Candidates: Why AI is Critical for Modern Recruiters
When one job post drew 700 applicants, Patrick relied on AI to help validate his shortlisting instincts. Despite the volume, only 4 resumes were a true fit. ChatGPT helped him pinpoint patterns—like identifying candidates who worked at small startups with broader skill sets versus siloed big-tech specialists.
ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity: Choosing the Right AI Tool for Recruiting
Patrick uses ChatGPT for workflows and messaging, Claude for writing support, and Perplexity for deep research. He even has AI build cheat sheets on technical roles to prep for hiring manager meetings—bridging the knowledge gap in 15 minutes.
AI Recruiting Prompts: The Hidden Skill That Changes Everything
Prompt engineering is no longer optional. Patrick emphasizes crafting personas, assigning identities to the AI, and continuously refining prompts. Even asking ChatGPT “How can I improve my workflow?” returned insights that made him better at his job.
Reducing Recruiter Burnout with AI and Automation
Burnout is real, especially when administrative tasks pile up. Patrick explains how AI tools free up time for conversations and relationship-building—the parts of recruiting that matter. Smart automation means less time chasing, more time connecting.
The Real Impact of Generative AI in Talent Acquisition Stacks
Generative AI isn’t just a plug-in; it’s a paradigm shift. TA leaders need to evaluate their tech stack and rethink recruiter roles. Tools that don’t integrate or scale with AI may already be outdated.
AI in Recruiting with ChatGPT - Transcript and timelines
📢 Welcome & AI Aha Moments
[00:00:00 – 00:01:38]
Jonathan Duarte welcomes Patrick Lindsley and introduces the theme of “AI aha moments” in recruiting, setting the stage for a deep dive into how AI is transforming TA workflows.
🧠 From No Internet to AI Recruiting
[00:01:38 – 00:03:19]
Patrick reflects on the early days of recruiting—before internet and automation—highlighting how far tools like ChatGPT have come in redefining sourcing strategies.
🔍 The Resume Quality Paradox
[00:03:19 – 00:04:40]
Patrick shares how resume quality has improved, but actual candidate fit has declined. AI helped validate his process and uncover the root issue.
🛠️ ChatGPT as a Workflow Auditor
[00:04:40 – 00:05:46]
Patrick explains how using AI to audit his recruiting workflow led to optimized messaging, better outreach, and measurable gains in productivity.
✉️ Personalized Messaging at Scale
[00:05:46 – 00:07:16]
Using ChatGPT, Patrick moved from manual InMail crafting to scalable customization, increasing sourcing time and significantly boosting reply rates.
💸 ROI of AI Tools vs. LinkedIn Recruiter
[00:07:16 – 00:08:15]
The conversation compares the cost-effectiveness of ChatGPT ($20/month) to expensive recruiter licenses, reinforcing the value of AI recruiting tools.
💬 Claude, Custom Prompts & Candidate Fit
[00:08:15 – 00:09:57]
Patrick highlights how Claude and ChatGPT help identify not just job fit, but role depth, company size context, and hands-on experience.
🔎 700 Applicants, 4 Hires
[00:09:57 – 00:11:39]
Faced with 700 job applications, Patrick used AI to efficiently triage resumes and surface quality candidates, reducing resume fatigue.
🧱 Prompt Engineering for Recruiters
[00:11:39 – 00:13:00]
Jonathan and Patrick emphasize the rising importance of prompt engineering in HR tech and recruiting—where the right instructions make or break AI success.
💼 Estimating Salaries & Market Fit
[00:13:00 – 00:14:15]
Patrick used AI to estimate candidate salary expectations based on location, seniority, and role—often matching real-world expectations.
🧑🏫 Recruiter Prep & AI Cheat Sheets
[00:14:15 – 00:16:00]
AI became a pre-intake prep assistant for Patrick, offering domain-specific cheat sheets and helping bridge recruiter-hiring manager gaps.
🧩 Beyond ChatGPT: Perplexity & Claude
[00:16:00 – 00:17:20]
Different tools for different needs: Patrick breaks down why he uses Perplexity for research and Claude for better AI writing experiences.
🔄 Recruiter Burnout & AI Automation
[00:17:20 – 00:18:54]
The duo discusses how automation and workflow tools help reduce recruiter burnout by eliminating tedious, repetitive administrative work.
🧰 Building the Modern Recruiting Stack
[00:18:54 – 00:22:15]
Patrick walks through how he’s built recruiting tech stacks from scratch—integrating AI tools to increase throughput and reduce inefficiencies.
🧪 Tools: SeekOut, HireEZ & Instantly
[00:22:15 – 00:27:15]
An in-depth breakdown of sourcing tools including SeekOut, HireEZ, and Instantly for outreach sequences and GitHub scraping.
🚀 Final Thoughts & Leading AI Change
[00:27:15 – 00:34:15]
Patrick and Jonathan reflect on the need for every recruiter and HR leader to experience their own AI aha moment in order to lead workforce transformation.
About the Guest
Thanks to Patrick Lindsley for sharing his insights. Patrick is a seasoned Recruiting Operations leader with expertise in sourcing automation and HR tech. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
18 June, 2025
Jonathan Duarte 
