Talk Talent To Me Candidate Screen Training Simulation with Nextdoor's Tony Castellanos
Tony Castellanos has seen recruiting from every angle: Google, Square, various startups, and now as Head of Compensation & Talent at Nextdoor. In this episode, Tony breaks down how his team is using AI to rethink recruiter training, eliminating the "practice on candidates" problem by simulating real conversations with virtual personas. He and Rob also dive into community-led recruiting, why values alignment trumps pedigree, and how automation should empower recruiters to be more human.
Also on the mic: the death of the "Apply Now" mentality, the future of AI interview agents, and why Nextdoor's most beloved teammate might be a benefits bot named Ben.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
-
AI-driven training gives recruiters reps without risking candidate experience
-
Recruiter excellence starts with values alignment and relationship building
-
Referrals aren't just about "who do you know", they're part of a broader community activation strategy
-
Recruiters should act like talent strategists, not inbox managers
-
Tools like CodeSignal enable voice-to-voice interview simulations with real-time feedback
-
Giving AI agents names and personalities makes adoption more natural and team-friendly