Choosing action in a fast-changing market
Employment Solutions of New York is a private staffing firm focused primarily on light industrial staffing. Like many high-volume staffing organizations, the team must engage large applicant pools quickly while maintaining quality and a positive candidate experience. Historically, the firm relied on manual processes that made it difficult to efficiently manage thousands of applicants, often resulting in slower response times and missed opportunities.
Steven Popovich, Director of Operational Enablement, described the moment as a crossroads for staffing firms.
Recognizing the stakes, the firm chose to embrace AI proactively rather than wait for it to mature. This approach positioned them to learn and improve from real-world use while competitors were still evaluating the technology.
Becoming a first mover with AI
The team viewed AI not only as an operational necessity but also as a strategic advantage. Delaying adoption would likely put the firm behind competitors that integrated AI into their workflows earlier. Popovich explains the rationale behind moving quickly.
By being an early adopter, Employment Solutions of New York was able to test, iterate, and refine its approach to AI integration, noting how the technology gives smaller teams the ability to compete against larger organizations with slower, more bureaucratic processes.
Rethinking the recruitment process
Bullhorn Amplify prompted the ESNY team to reassess the recruitment lifecycle from top to bottom. Instead of automating tasks in isolation, the team considered how AI could reshape entire processes and workflows. Amplify enabled them to maximize output at each stage, from candidate engagement to screening and ultimately to placement, all while reducing the manual effort required for repetitive tasks.
This strategic rethinking allowed recruiters to focus on higher-value activities such as personalizing candidate communications and strengthening client relationships. By integrating AI within the existing Bullhorn platform, the team avoided the inefficiencies of moving data between systems, creating a smoother, more seamless workflow.
Amplify use cases driving early wins
High-volume positions, which historically required large manual efforts, were among the first to benefit from Amplify. With hundreds or thousands of applicants applying for a single role, manually contacting each candidate was impossible. The AI screener enabled the team to reach a significantly larger share of applicants than ever before, while candidates remained highly engaged.
These touchpoints translated into dozens of successful placements that were first contacted through AI, all in a matter of weeks. Popovich notes that this early success was a clear signal of the technology’s potential to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Improving recruiter efficiency and morale
AI adoption required adjustment, but the long-term impact on recruiter workflow and morale was significant. By taking over time-consuming administrative tasks, Amplify allowed recruiters to spend more time engaging with candidates and clients in meaningful ways, contributing to what Popovich calls “an improvement in morale.”
Recruiters could now generate candidate profiles, client-ready materials, and outreach content faster and more accurately. The AI-assisted workflow enabled staff to focus on problem-solving, strategic decision-making, and providing a higher level of service.
A better candidate experience
Employment Solutions of New York anticipated potential resistance from candidates, especially those less tech-savvy. However, the AI screener’s voice-based, talk-to-text functionality proved to be a welcome innovation.
Candidates found the process more accessible and engaging than traditional methods, especially if they were uncomfortable with typing or navigating web forms. This positive reception helped enhance the firm’s employer brand and candidate satisfaction.
Raising expectations across the business
With AI fully integrated, expectations across the organization shifted. Recruiters were now able to manage more roles simultaneously and take on positions that previously would have required specialized experience.
This shift in expectations extended beyond the recruiting team, influencing leadership and operational planning. Amplify allowed for more ambitious goals and a more dynamic approach to workload management.
Powering future growth
Once it was widely adopted at ESNY, Amplify became central to the firm’s long-term growth strategy. By enabling operations across multiple locations, tackling higher-margin roles, and maintaining constant communication with the candidate database, Amplify unlocked opportunities previously out of reach.
The team is now planning growth over a multi-year horizon, using Amplify insights to make data-driven decisions and expand into new markets without adding headcount.
Overcoming fear and taking the leap
Early adoption wasn’t without concerns. The team worried about brand voice, communication quality, and integrating unfamiliar technology. These fears were mitigated through small-scale testing, iteration, and careful review of outputs.
The trial-and-error approach helped the team gain confidence quickly, turning Amplify into a trusted, integral part of daily operations.
Advice to other staffing leaders
Popovich encourages peers to act boldly and adopt AI proactively. He emphasizes that the technology is now a permanent, indispensable part of the team’s workflow.
Embracing AI early has reshaped Employment Solutions of New York, giving the firm the confidence and agility to thrive in an evolving staffing landscape.
