Build vs Buy:

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In the world of recruitment automation, one question pops up more and more:
Should you build your own voice AI solution or go with a platform like Sam?

If you’ve started exploring voice-enabled recruitment automation (aka VERA), this decision can feel like a big one. It shapes how fast you go to market, how much control you have, and ultimately, how your candidates experience your hiring process.

In this article, we’ll break down both sides—building from scratch vs. buying a pre-built platform—and explore how the VERA methodology works seamlessly in either path. Whether you're tech-savvy or just voice-curious, we've got you covered.

Let’s dive in.

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The Case for Building Your Own Voice AI Solution

So, you’re thinking about building a custom VERA solution. Sounds like a power move—and in many ways, it is.

Why Build a Custom Voice Assistant?

Building your own system gives you complete flexibility. You can tailor every interaction, every workflow, every integration. Got global operations and need support for multiple languages and accents? Want your voice bot to sound like Morgan Freeman on Mondays and your CEO on Fridays? With a custom build, it’s all technically possible.

But… it’s not cheap. Or quick.

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What Does It Take to Build a VERA Solution?

Start with the Five Ws, the foundation of the VERA methodology:

• What should your voice assistant do? (Screen candidates? Schedule interviews?)
  
• Who will interact with it—candidates, recruiters, or both?
  
• Where in your recruitment funnel will it be used?
  
• Why are you doing this—speed, experience, efficiency?
  
• When do you need it live?
  
  

Once you’ve mapped that out, you move into:

• Design – defining tone, conversational flows, integrations with your ATS or CRM
  
• Development – training the AI, testing NLP, building voice logic
  
• Iteration – refining based on real-world feedback
  
  

The Risks and Rewards of Going Custom

On paper, custom sounds great. But the reality? You’ll need:

• A team of developers, conversational designers, and AI specialists
  
• A serious budget
  
• A tolerance for long timelines and unexpected bumps
  
  

And don’t forget maintenance—voice AI isn’t a “set it and forget it” deal. You’ll need to keep improving it with fresh training data, compliance updates, and evolving candidate behavior.

But if you’ve got the resources and voice automation is core to your hiring strategy, building your own VERA solution might be a smart long-term play.

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How the VERA Framework Works in Both Approaches

Here’s the thing—whether you build or buy, the VERA methodology stays the same.

It’s not just a tool. It’s a framework that structures every voice interaction in your recruitment process.

What Is the VERA Framework?

VERA is built around three core stages:

1. Activate – trigger voice interactions at the right time
   
2. Engage – craft meaningful, human-like conversations
   
3. Convert – drive outcomes like scheduling, follow-ups, and screening
   
   

Underneath all that? The Five Ws we covered earlier. That blueprint keeps your voice assistant focused on real hiring goals—not just gimmicks.

Using VERA When You Build

When building from scratch, you use VERA to:

• Map each stage of your hiring process
  
• Design custom prompts and interactions
  
• Train your AI to handle specific workflows
  
  

This takes time, but the outcome is tailor-made for your org.

Using VERA When You Buy

With platforms like Sam, VERA is already embedded.
Triggers are pre-set. Candidate journeys are mapped. Automations are ready.

And yes, you can still personalize. But you’re starting from a proven system that aligns with recruiting best practices.

How to Choose Between Building and Buying

Stuck between options? Let’s break it down:

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The Key Factors to Consider

• Do you need full customization?
  
• Is speed to market critical?
  
• Do you have (or want to hire) a technical team?
  
• What’s your budget today—and in 12 months?
  
  

If you're checking more than three “Build” boxes, it might be worth exploring. But for most companies, “Buy” gets you 90% of the way there with less friction.

There’s No Wrong Path—Just the Right Fit

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to guess.

The VERA framework gives you a clear structure to follow—whether you’re building from the ground up or deploying an out-of-the-box solution like Sam.

Either way, you’re creating a smarter, more personalized hiring experience that speaks your candidates’ language (literally).

Ready to Get Started?

If voice-enabled recruitment is on your radar, start with the VERA methodology. And if you want a head start, explore how Sam brings it all to life—without the heavy lift.

‍🎙️ What’s next? Future episodes will cover real-world AI recruitment case studies, deep dives into voice bot design, and expert best practices for optimizing hiring automation.

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‍Want to learn more?

🎧 Subscribe to our podcast series for expert insights.

📖 Explore our AI recruitment guides on building voice-enabled hiring solutions.

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🚀 Let’s build the future of recruitment—one voice interaction at a time!‍

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