👤 Is Identity-First Hiring the New HR Imperative? + A Chance to Win 2 Free Tickets to CultureCon

In partnership with

Tailored HR Software Recommendations for Your Organization

Choosing HR software can be overwhelming—with over 1,000+ tools on the market, it’s easy to spend days and still feel unsure.

That’s why thousands of HR teams rely on SSR’s HR software advisors. Instead of spending hundreds of hours on research and demos, you’ll get free 1:1 help from an HR software expert who understands your requirements and provides 2–3 tailored recommendations based on your unique needs.

Whether you're looking for an HRIS, ATS, or Payroll solution, we help you cut through the noise and make confident decisions—fast.

Why HR teams trust SSR HR Advisors:

✅ 100% free for HR teams
✅ Get 2-3 Tailored solutions from 1,000+ options
✅ 1:1 expert guidance from HR advisors
✅ Trusted by 15,000+ companies

From MIT to the Indianapolis Colts, smart HR teams trust SSR to find the right software—without the stress.

Find the Right HR Software, for Free

🤝 HR Trend Spotlight: Microsoft Leverages AI and Dynamics 365 to Transform Employee Support

Microsoft has rebuilt its internal support experience using Dynamics 365 and artificial intelligence. The shift allowed the company to unify more than 500 separate support systems into a single interface, streamlining processes across IT, HR, and finance. This change drastically reduced support time, with over 80 percent of requests now resolved through automation and virtual agents. For HR, this translates into faster onboarding, simplified issue tracking, and better employee satisfaction. Read more.

🎧 HR Insights - Is Identity-First Hiring the New HR Imperative?

Joelle Smith, President of First Advantage Corporation, believes traditional hiring models are falling short. In a discussion with the HR Gazette, she emphasized that hiring today must reflect a stronger awareness of identity—who candidates are, what shaped them, and how their experiences bring value beyond a resume.

Smith explained that "identity-first hiring" is not just about diversity metrics. It’s about understanding a person’s full context, including cultural background, lived experiences, and barriers they’ve overcome. She argues that this approach brings stronger alignment between companies and candidates because it helps employers see people as more than just skill sets. It also encourages organizations to ask better questions, such as whether job requirements are truly necessary or just inherited from outdated hiring templates.

💡 HR Tips & Tricks

Tip of the Day: Rotate onboarding buddies every quarter. A fresh pairing helps new hires connect across departments, not just within teams. It strengthens cross-functional understanding and reduces silos early in the employee journey.

Trick of the Day: Use anonymous “exit previews.” A week before an employee’s last day, send a short, confidential pulse asking them what they won’t miss about their role. The responses often reveal operational problems or cultural blind spots that formal exit interviews miss.

Get 2 Free Tickets to CultureCon

We’ve got 2 free tickets to CultureCon happening at Madison, WI on August 5 - 7 and want to give them to readers of HR Jolt.

How to enter (reply by June 30th):

1. Hit “Reply” to this email

2. Tell us the name, role, and email of an HR pro you think should attend with you

That’s it -- one referral = one entry. We’ll do a random draw on July 1 and let you know if you win. Each attendee must subscribe to HR Jolt before June 30th, so please share with your friends!

Thanks for helping us grow the HR Jolt community!

🧾 HR Case Files - Emergency Payroll Fix for an Industrial Provider

When an industrial service company unexpectedly lost its payroll manager, it faced a real risk of not meeting its payroll obligations. OperationsInc stepped in to provide immediate support, stabilizing payroll operations in less than a week. They quickly assessed the company’s systems, took over time-sensitive processing, and developed interim procedures until a new hire was onboarded.

Key Takeaways

• The absence of a single payroll manager nearly halted a critical function.

• Quick outsourcing averted a payment failure and avoided reputational damage.

• The recovery included long-term process improvements and compliance upgrades.

🧰 HR Toolbox

Stay equipped with the latest HR events and resources.

Resource of the Day

HR leaders are now central players in mergers and acquisitions, according to this joint survey. Nearly 70 percent of HR executives report being pulled into due diligence efforts earlier and with more scrutiny than in previous years. Beyond basic headcount and compensation data, buyers now expect detailed reports on cultural risks, talent dependencies, and compliance liabilities. HR must prepare clean, audit-ready data and be ready to answer questions about contracts, benefits structures, and retention risks. With M&A activity picking up, this is an area where HR can’t afford to be reactive.

Event of the Day

The Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo 2025 is set to take place in Orlando, Florida from 27-29 October. The event will bring together senior HR leaders to discuss strategic issues around workforce planning, technology, and leadership. Key sessions will address how to lead through economic uncertainty, improve decision-making with better data, and implement AI in people operations.

For event details and registration, visit the website. 

Showcase your brand/product/services in our newsletter and reach over 24,000 industry leaders in human resources! Contact us today to advertise with HR Jolt.

Disclosure: Some content in this newsletter may be sponsored or include affiliate links. HR Jolt might earn commissions or have a business interest in featured companies. Read our privacy policy.