How one forward-thinking tech firm found talent where others weren’t looking.
The Hiring Gap That Almost Cost Them Growth
In early 2024, NeuroLink Systems—a fast-growing AI and cloud solutions firm based in Chicago—was gearing up for the launch of three major enterprise products. They had the funding, the market traction, and the innovation roadmap. What they didn’t have? The right people. Let’s explore the complete employer success story of the company:
After months of trying to fill crucial roles in UI/UX, project management, DevOps, and client success, the company faced a harsh reality: most applications were either too junior or lacking real-world experience navigating tech evolutions. Traditional hiring channels yielded few results.
“We had dozens of applicants, but very few who had both the hard skills and the business maturity we needed.”
— Shannon Wu, Director of Talent, NeuroLink Systems
Turning to an Unexpected Talent Pool: Mid-Career Professionals
That’s when NeuroLink Systems discovered Jinkable—an NGO supporting professionals displaced by AI and automation. Through a case study about AI-driven job loss, Shannon realized that mid-career professionals with 10–20 years of experience were being overlooked despite their deep expertise and adaptability.
Jinkable’s talent network features individuals who’ve upskilled in modern tools, participated in career redirection programs, and built strong peer networks through mentoring and learning communities.“We realized these weren’t outdated professionals. They were battle-tested contributors with fresh certifications, emotional intelligence, and cross-functional expertise,” Shannon said.
Jinkable’s Role: Talent Meets Strategy
Through Jinkable’s Enterprise Placement Program, NeuroLink Systems was able to:
- Define 8 roles they previously struggled to fill
- Post customized job profiles directly on Jinkable’s internal job board
- Receive curated candidate shortlists within one week
- Access resume videos and career mentor evaluations for each candidate
- Hold a virtual job day attended by 50+ vetted candidates
By the end of just one month, 20 hires were finalized—16 full-time employees and 4 on contract-to-hire terms.
“We saved months in sourcing and screening time. More importantly, we hired people who could lead not just follow.”
— Jared Kalani, Engineering Lead, NeuroLink Systems
The Mid-Career Advantage
So, who were these hires?
- A 48-year-old former marketing director turned AI Prompt Architect
- A 38-year-old ex-educator now working as a Learning Experience Designer
- A 50-year-old project manager who mastered Agile for AI projects
- A 42-year-old DevOps lead who returned to tech after a caregiving break
“Jinkable helped us see value in experience, not just novelty. These folks brought context, calm, and collaboration.”
— Shannon Wu
Their onboarding experience was equally impressive. All 20 new hires had completed at least one of Jinkable’s micro-certifications and participated in mock interview cohorts, making them confident communicators from Day One.
Real-World Business Results
Within three months of these hires:
- Product release deadlines were met without overtime or burnout
- Internal team satisfaction scores rose by 22%, citing “empathy” and “confidence” from new team members
- One mid-career hire led a cost-saving process redesign that reduced cloud overhead by 17%
“These weren’t just hires—they were catalysts.”
— Elliot Shaw, COO, NeuroLink Systems
Message to Other Companies: Don’t Overlook Experience
Jinkable’s success with NeuroLink Systems highlights a major blind spot in today’s hiring strategies. While many companies chase “AI-native” Gen Z talent, they’re overlooking mid-career professionals who are just as tech-savvy—and far more strategically experienced.
“If you’re only recruiting from college campuses or relying on algorithm-driven hiring, you’re missing gold.”
— Shannon Wu
Jinkable bridges the gap between displaced professionals and forward-looking companies who value resilience, transformation, and lifelong learning.
Final Thoughts
NeuroLink Systems’s hiring success shows what happens when you open your eyes—and your doors—to those reinventing themselves in real time. These 20 specialists weren’t just filling vacancies; they were building the company’s next chapter.
Whether you’re a startup, a scale-up, or a Fortune 500, Jinkable has the tools, the people, and the process to help you hire better—not just faster.
🔗 Learn more about Jinkable’s Programs and Initiatives at jinkable.org/programs-initiatives
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