Navigating AI in Hiring & Building High-Performance Teams with Ray Collins | Episode 16

In this episode of the Business Origin Story podcast, Drew Mitchell sits down with Ray Collins, Nevada Area Representative for Jomsom Staffing. Ray shares how his passion for helping small and mid-sized businesses led him to the recruiting space, unpacking the current challenges of AI in hiring and how human-centered staffing drives long-term business success.

From Group Benefits to Franchise Growth

Ray’s journey in business development began with insurance and group benefits before serving as a SCORE mentor to small business owners. Recognizing that finding qualified, reliable employees was the primary hurdle holding local businesses back, Ray joined Jomsom Staffing in 2023. Today, he oversees Nevada expansion while offering full-service recruiting, vetting, and placement for companies across industries like construction, legal, and medical.

The AI Revolution in Hiring: The Good, Bad, and Glitchy

Ray highlights the major shifts happening in recruitment due to artificial intelligence. On one side, employers using rigid AI screening software risk filtering out top-tier applicants due to minor phrasing glitches. On the other side, applicants are using AI tools to mass-submit padded, automated resumes for jobs they aren't qualified for. Ray explains how human oversight at every stage of recruitment protects business owners from wasting time on unvetted candidates.

Protecting the "Middle Child" Businesses

While major national staffing agencies focus exclusively on corporate giants, Jomsom Staffing specializes in supporting small and mid-sized businesses. Ray emphasizes that replacing an employee can cost upwards of 40% (or more) of their annual salary in downtime, training, and lost productivity. By managing the heavy lifting of headhunting, interviewing, and cultural-fit vetting, Jomsom saves growing companies significant long-term capital.

Giving Back to the Nevada Community

Outside of business growth, Ray is a dedicated outdoor enthusiast and active community volunteer. Whether mountain biking in Pahrump or sponsoring events for Special Olympics, Boys & Girls Club, and local youth organizations, Ray views his professional recruiting work as an extension of his personal mission: strengthening communities by making meaningful connections.

Final Thoughts

Ray Collins proves that while technology and automation continue to transform the job market, nothing replaces genuine human relationship-building in workforce development.

If you enjoyed learning about Ray’s approach to business and recruiting, subscribe to my YouTube channel @ArcturusVideo for more content like this. Let’s inspire and support each other on our entrepreneurial paths. Stay tuned for more insights, stories, and valuable tips!