From a Rolodex to AI: The Evolution of Recruiting Over 20 Years

How Cornerstone RPO Grew Up with an Industry We Helped Build 

Twenty years ago, recruiting looked very different. Most resumes arrived by fax. Job boards like Monster and CareerBuilder were cutting-edge. LinkedIn hadn’t been invented yet (wait… what?? Every millennial reading this just did a double take… “WTW!”). Talent teams relied heavily on cold calls, career fairs, and gut instinct to find and assess candidates. 

It was during this time—when the modern recruiting function was still finding its footing—that Cornerstone RPO (CRPO) came onto the scene. 

Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) was a brand-new concept in the early 2000s. Companies were just beginning to explore outsourcing their recruiting functions, not for cost-cutting alone, but for scalability, expertise, and better results. CRPO was among the first to recognize that recruiting wasn’t just a transactional HR function—it was a strategic driver of growth. 

We’ve spent the last two decades growing up alongside the RPO industry. And here’s what we’ve learned along the way: 

1. From Transactional to Strategic
   In the early 2000s, Recruiting (called “Personnel” back in the day…) was often treated as a back-office, reactive function. You needed to fill a job? HR posted it, waited, and hoped. We used to call that “Post & pray”. Not strategic. More luck than anything else.
   Fast forward to 2025, and recruiting is now a strategic partner at the leadership table. Talent acquisition teams shape workforce strategy, support DEI initiatives, and fuel growth by hiring the right people at the right time. At CRPO, we’ve always believed recruiting could be smarter and more impactful—and we’ve helped hundreds of clients build TA teams that reflect that vision.

2. Technology Changed the Game—But People Still Matter

   From the rise of applicant tracking systems (ATS) to the explosion of AI, tech has transformed how we source, screen, and engage candidates. But while tools have become faster and smarter, recruiting has never stopped being a Human Resources business. 
   The best technology still needs thoughtful implementation. The best candidate experience still depends on empathy, communication, and trust. At Cornerstone RPO, we’ve built our approach on Human-first service – and backed by the right tools—not the other way around.

3. Flexibility Became the New Normal

   Hiring demand is rarely steady. Just look at 2020-2022 for proof. Business conditions shift monthly – and sometimes weekly/daily, growth plans change, and internal recruiting teams often need to scale up or down fast.
   That’s where RPO found its niche—and why CRPO was built for agility from day one. Over the years, we’ve seen the traditional, “one-size-fits-all” recruiting model give way to flexible, project-based, and embedded RPO solutions. We’ve helped companies scale globally, launch new divisions, and fill entire teams—while staying lean and efficient.

4. Employer Brand Took Center Stage

   Twenty years ago, employer branding was barely on the radar. Today, it’s one of the biggest drivers of talent attraction.
   CRPO has helped clients build authentic, compelling employer brands from the ground up —because we know that candidates aren’t just evaluating a job; they’re evaluating a culture, a purpose, and a leadership philosophy. We’ve watched employer brand evolve from “nice to have” to “mission critical.”

5. Data Drives Decisions—But Insight Drives Strategy

   We’ve gone from gut feeling to data-driven in the span of two decades. TA leaders now have access to more metrics than ever: time to fill, quality of hire, cost per hire, candidate satisfaction, pipeline diversity—the list goes on.
   But data alone doesn’t create value—insight does. At CRPO, we help our clients go beyond the numbers, using analytics to drive smarter hiring strategies, forecast talent needs, and continuously improve performance. We don’t just deliver reports—we deliver results. 

CRPO. Still Here. Still Leading. 

Today, RPO is a $6+ billion global industry. But when Cornerstone RPO was founded, it was still an idea. We were early believers in the power of outsourcing recruitment with intention, strategy, and care.

We didn’t just watch the industry evolve—we helped shape it.

And now, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re looking ahead to what’s next. Whether it’s AI, automation, or the next workforce revolution, one thing will never change: people are at the heart of everything we do.
Thanks for being part of the journey. Here’s to the next 20.