PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
AI is already changing how employers recruit and how candidates compete for jobs.
Candidates are using AI to write resumes, prepare for interviews, and navigate the hiring process, while employers are using AI-powered tools to source, screen, assess, and engage talent. Along with new efficiencies come new questions around candidate authenticity, hiring scams, screening practices, and where human judgment still matters.
This Lunch & Learn will explore how AI is shaping both sides of the hiring process, what’s working, where employers should be cautious, and how HR teams can adapt their practices as the technology continues to evolve.
Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can apply to strengthen their recruiting and hiring processes while keeping human judgment at the center.
Learning Objectives
- Identify how candidates and employers are using AI throughout the recruiting and hiring process.
- Recognize emerging risks, including candidate authenticity concerns, hiring scams, and gaps in traditional screening practices.
- Evaluate where AI can strengthen recruiting and where human judgment and oversight remain critical.
- Apply practical strategies to adapt hiring practices in response to the growing use of AI.
This program has been submitted for HRCI and SHRM credits.
Thank you to our hosting sponsor!
OUR SPEAKER:
Dawn Apajee
Founder/President
Dawn Apajee is an accomplished professional who has worked in the recruitment industry for over 30 years, both in the UK and the US. After graduating from the London School of Economics, Dawn embarked on a remarkable career journey, managing one of the most profitable Temporary Staffing Divisions in London. Her expertise and dedication propelled her to the role of Sales Executive at Adecco, a leading employment agency in the United States, where she garnered national recognition as the Top Sales Executive in the country in 1999.
In 2006, drawing upon her extensive experience, Dawn founded City Personnel with a clear mission: to connect top talent with businesses in Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts. With three decades of experience, Dawn leads a team of professional recruiters who share her passion for building enduring and trustworthy relationships with both companies and job seekers.
Dawn's commitment to excellence and fostering meaningful connections has solidified City Personnel's reputation in the industry. She was recently recognized as Tomorrow's Women TODAY of Rhode Island’s 2025 Woman of the Year, a 2025 PBN Leaders & Achievers Honoree, and a 2024 CBIZ Women Transforming Business Awards Honoree—acknowledgments that reflect her leadership, impact, and dedication to the business community.
Beyond her business success, Dawn is a dedicated mentor and advocate for women in leadership. She is a proud graduate of Leadership Rhode Island and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, and is actively involved in initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Under her leadership, City Personnel has received ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Client Satisfaction Diamond Award—an honor earned by fewer than 2% of staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada.
Her passion for giving back is rooted in her own experiences, providing support and resources to others that she didn’t have access to growing up. Whether through mentorship, community engagement, or creating opportunities for underrepresented voices, Dawn continues to uplift the next generation of leaders.
David Hopkins
Recruiting Specialist
Born and raised in Providence, David attended Pace University, where he earned his degree in Marketing. After graduation, he returned to Rhode Island with the goal of supporting his family and building a meaningful career.
David’s professional journey has taken him across multiple industries, giving him valuable insight into diverse workplace environments. This broad background ultimately led him to discover his passion for recruiting, a career path that allows him to make a direct impact by connecting talented professionals with opportunities where they can thrive.
Before joining City Personnel in 2022, David spent two years specializing as a hospitality recruiter. His approach to recruiting is rooted in the belief that successful placements create lasting benefits for both candidates and employers, fostering growth, stability, and mutual success.
In April 2024, David earned his Certified Staffing Professional (CSP) designation from the American Staffing Association, further strengthening his expertise and commitment to ethical, high-quality recruiting practices.
Keep learning and connecting with us at an upcoming RI SHRM program.
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Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Pam Thornton at ri.shrmsponsorship@gmail.com.
