

The Elite Recruiter Podcast
Benjamin Mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast is where top recruiters go to get better.
Hosted by executive recruiter Benjamin Mena, this show dives deep into the stories, strategies, and mindsets of the most successful people in the industry — from $1M solo producers to 8-figure agency founders.
Each episode delivers real, tactical insights for high-performance recruiting:
How elite recruiters build and scaleTools, tech stacks, and sourcing strategiesDaily habits and workflows that drive million-dollar desksLessons from failure, breakthrough wins, and mindset shiftsWhat the best are doing next — and how they’re changing the game
If you’re in agency recruiting, staffing, or executive search — this is your new secret weapon.
No fluff. No recycled advice. Just the unfiltered playbook of the top 1%.
🎧 Subscribe now — and start leveling up like an elite.
Hosted by executive recruiter Benjamin Mena, this show dives deep into the stories, strategies, and mindsets of the most successful people in the industry — from $1M solo producers to 8-figure agency founders.
Each episode delivers real, tactical insights for high-performance recruiting:
How elite recruiters build and scaleTools, tech stacks, and sourcing strategiesDaily habits and workflows that drive million-dollar desksLessons from failure, breakthrough wins, and mindset shiftsWhat the best are doing next — and how they’re changing the game
If you’re in agency recruiting, staffing, or executive search — this is your new secret weapon.
No fluff. No recycled advice. Just the unfiltered playbook of the top 1%.
🎧 Subscribe now — and start leveling up like an elite.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 23, 2023 • 36min
Adapting to Change in the Fast-Changing Recruitment Industry with Kortney Harmon
Kortney Harmon, a staffing industry expert and Podcast host of The Full Desk Experience joins us to share her insights on building trust and relationships, as well as improving foundational processes, in the staffing industry. Harmon talks about her own journey in the industry, the importance of touch points and relationship-building, and the impact of automations and KPIs on business success.
Harmon believes that many office leaders miss out on business growth opportunities because they focus on the wrong things. Instead of developing foundational processes that address training and adoption of new technology, office leaders often focus on pushing their teams to do more without measuring what really matters. Harmon advises that businesses should consider integrated reports that look across the whole process rather than the performance of individual team members.
Through Crelate’s event series and podcast, Harmon provides insights on the importance of building strong relationships and establishing connections with clients and candidates. Harmon shares her “touch plan” strategy, which involves creative touches and a communication cadence. She recommends focusing on non-opportunity needs of potential clients to establish connections rather than focusing only on finding the right person for the right job.
In addition to her experience in the recruitment industry, Harmon shares her insights into leadership and productivity. As a busy mom herself, she recommends finding ways to be more productive with the time you have and exploring new resources, such as podcasts and downloadable assets, to stay up to date and discover new ideas. Harmon also explores the importance of automations in the industry and shares tips on setting up workflows and forms to increase efficiency and avoid forgetfulness.
Overall, Harmon’s insights on leadership, foundational processes, and relationship building provide a valuable resource for businesses looking to succeed in the recruitment industry. Crelate’s live event series, podcast, and industry spotlights offer businesses a wealth of information to help them navigate and succeed in today’s competitive market. Tune in to the podcast to discover actionable insights and strategies to take your recruitment business to the next level.
Key Takeaways:
- Building relationships and establishing connections are key to business growth in the staffing industry.
- Knowing how to communicate with people in the industry, frequency of outreach and preferred communication method is key for successful touch points.
- Automations can be useful in improving efficiency and avoiding forgetfulness in recruitment and sales processes.
- Measuring and evaluating KPIs can provide diagnostic and predictive information for business success.
- Foundational processes, which include training and adoption of new technology, are critical for teams to follow and build upon for scalability and replication.
Kourtney Harmon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kortneyharmon/
Crelate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crelate/
Full Desk Experience Live:
https://www.crelate.com/full-desk-experience
Crelate: https://www.crelate.com/
KPI Hamster Wheel Episode: https://www.crelate.com/blog/kpi-hamster-wheel
Blueprint for BD and 12 Touchpoint Strategy:
https://www.crelate.com/blog/multi-channel-touch-strategy
Additional Links:
https://join.crelate.com/multi-channel-touch-plan-strategy-ebook
https://app.hubspot.com/content-detail/5266056/landing-page/86847472943/performance
With your Host:
Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
Benjamin Mena TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminlmena
Benjamin Mena Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjamin_l_mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/

May 18, 2023 • 53min
How Prioritizing Health Improved His Business and Life with Jay Veniard
The Elite Recruiter podcast recently featured Jay Veniard, CEO of Ventech, who shared his health journey and how it positively impacted his recruiting business. The host highlighted the importance of maintaining good health in the recruiting career, citing the recent loss of a friend in the industry. Jay shared his experience as a former professional baseball player and his weight struggles during that time. Over the years, he has lost a significant amount of weight and improved his overall health, which has also positively impacted his recruiting business.
The conversation emphasized the importance of taking care of one's health, especially as one gets older. The speakers discussed the impact of physical activity on heart rate and how being unhealthy can negatively impact many aspects of life, including work, family, and overall well-being. The speakers suggested that setting healthy habits early in life is crucial and can have a significant impact on future health.
Jay shared his personal routine of walking 10,000 steps a day and having a coach for nutrition and fitness. He emphasized the importance of finding a certified nutritionist to determine the appropriate calorie intake and ratios for protein, carbs, and fat. The speakers discussed the importance of having a coach for health and fitness and cautioned listeners to be smart about vetting potential coaches.
The conversation also touched on the importance of tracking food intake and how it can help with weight loss and overall health. The speaker emphasized the need for accountability and talked about how tracking can help with that. They also mentioned the challenges of tracking, such as the inconvenience and the need for precision.
The speakers emphasized the importance of accountability partners in achieving success and the need for recruiters to invest in coaches. They also discussed the importance of cold calling, warm calling, sending emails, LinkedIn DMs, and text messages to be successful in the recruiting industry. The conversation concluded with a discussion of MPC marketing and its importance in recruiting.
In the latter part of the conversation, the speakers discussed the importance of finding a mentor and paying for their services. They emphasized the idea of complacency and the need for constant learning. The topic of contract recruiting was brought up, with the need to seek advice from established individuals in the field. The guest also shared that reading sales books has helped him improve as a recruiter.
Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of taking care of one's health, finding mentors and coaches, and constantly learning to stay relevant in the recruiting industry.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/4dRm18JTUDQ
Jay Veniard LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayveniard/
VenTech Search Group Website:
https://ventechsearch.com/
Jay’s Coach: Mauro Stara - https://www.facebook.com/mauro.stara.944/
Benjamin’s Coach: Beth Shaw - https://www.instagram.com/iheartfinishlines/
Jay Veniard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayveniard19/
Jay Veniard TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jayveniard
With your Host Benjamin
Mena with Select Source
Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
Benjamin Mena TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminlmena
Benjamin Mena Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjamin_l_mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/

May 15, 2023 • 46min
Recruiting Expert Jan Tegze Shares Job Searching Secrets and His Latest Book the “Job Search Guide”
Jan Tegze the author of Full Stack Recruiter and the new book Job Search Guide be your own career coach, appeared as a guest on The Elite Recruiter podcast. Jan shared his insights on the challenges faced by recruiters in the current job market and how to succeed.
Jan revealed that he stumbled upon the recruiting industry by accident but quickly found that he enjoyed helping people find new jobs and advising them on their job search. He discussed his latest book, The Job Search Guide, which provides job seekers with tips and tricks to improve their chances of landing their dream job. He also discussed his newsletter for job seekers and recruiters, which aims to dispel recruitment myths.
The conversation delved into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the job market and how recruiters can navigate a tough market. Jan emphasized his plans for publishing more books for recruiters, including a book on diversity recruitment strategies. He expressed his frustration with career coaches who scam job seekers by selling false promises.
The speakers discussed the importance of recruiters creating quality content to stand out and build their network. They criticized the industry practice of preying on job seekers with scams like ATS-proof resume templates. Yon debunked the myth of ATS systems being effective, stating that companies only use them for storing candidates due to the high cost of customization. The speakers suggested that recruiters can stand out by creating helpful content for job seekers and focusing on providing quality rather than chasing likes.
The conversation highlighted the importance of recruiters being active on LinkedIn and building their network. They emphasized the value of creating quality content that helps job seekers and being recognized as an expert in the field. The speakers noted that networking is about what you give and get, and accepting connection invites can give others access to your network. They also touched on the trend of recruiters sharing photos with quotes on LinkedIn to generate likes.
The conversation continued with a discussion on the misuse and over-reliance on AI tools such as Chat GPT and Boolean search strings. Jan argued that while these tools can be useful, they should be used alongside human skills and experience. He warned against overusing these tools, which may lead to a decrease in response rates and ultimately, a lack of trust in recruiters and their agencies.
Jan advised against this approach, as it can be intrusive and does not give candidates an advantage. The conversation also addressed the claim that 75% of resumes are not read, which Yon deemed as nonsense. He cautioned against blindly trusting influencers and urged candidates to interact with recruiters on LinkedIn to build relationships and gain a better understanding of the company and role.
Overall, Jan's insights on the recruitment industry and job search strategies provide valuable knowledge for both job seekers and recruiters. His emphasis on ethical recruitment practices and building relationships with hiring managers is a refreshing approach in a time when the recruitment industry is often criticized for being impersonal and profit-driven.
Jan Tegze LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jantegze/
Jan Tegze Website: https://jantegze.com/
Full Stack Recruiter Book: https://amzn.to/41GVOYK
Job Search Guide Book: https://amzn.to/41BRgms
With your Host Benjamin
Mena with Select Source
Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
Benjamin Mena TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminlmena
Benjamin Mena Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjamin_l_mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/

May 9, 2023 • 39min
The Most Unsuccessful Successful Recruiter with Michael G Cox
The Elite Recruiter Podcast recently featured a conversation between Benjamin Mena and Michael G. Cox, where the focus was on how to be a successful recruiter despite facing personal challenges. Cox shared his experience of still being able to bill six figures despite his wife's ovarian cancer diagnosis, which caused him to work only part of the year. He emphasized the importance of relationship building with clients and submitting only high-quality candidates for job openings.
The conversation highlighted real-life situations that recruiters may face and provided tips on how to keep the business going while taking care of oneself and one's family. Cox communicated with his clients about his situation and asked them to be flexible with him, which highlighted the importance of balancing work and personal life during difficult times.
The speakers discussed the importance of keeping overhead low when starting a business and how the relationship with clients is strong enough to allow for flexibility in the recruitment process. Submitting fewer candidates is preferred if they are high-quality. Michael shared his experience of starting the business with just a cell phone and a website and only investing in tools when they had clients. They also discussed the importance of helping people without expecting a return, as it can lead to clients in the future.
The speakers emphasized the importance of cost-saving strategies for recruiters, mentioning AppSumo as a great resource for finding affordable tools and software. They also discussed the importance of only paying for tools that are necessary and profitable, cautioning against overspending on expensive tools and justifying it as an affordable monthly payment.
The speakers reflected on their personal and business challenges over the last two years and the importance of being prepared for adulting problems such as medical and life insurance. They advised having savings and a reasonable burn rate and reflected on the high-profit margin of the recruiting business. They also discussed the roller coaster nature of recruiting and the importance of focusing on sales and building jobs to level out the ups and downs.
Overall, the conversation provided valuable insights and advice for recruiters, highlighting the importance of relationship building, cost-saving strategies, and being prepared for personal and business challenges. The speakers emphasized the importance of focusing on sales and building a strong network and shared their personal experiences of going through tough times as recruiters. Their advice and reflections on the industry and personal challenges provide a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the recruiting business.
Michael G Cox LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikerecruiter/
Zagworx: https://www.zagworx.com/
With your Host Benjamin
Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
Benjamin Mena TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminlmena
Benjamin Mena Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjamin_l_mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/

May 4, 2023 • 35min
Global Head of Fintech at Korn Ferry and Founder of Fearless+, Deepali Vyas On How You Can Position Yourself for Recruitment Success
The Elite Recruiter Podcast recently hosted Deepali Vyas, the global head of Fintech for Korn Ferry and founder of Fearless+. They discussed her journey into the recruiting industry and how she founded Fearless+ to teach young people about emotional intelligence, communication skills, and self-awareness. They also talked about the profitability of recruiting and the low barrier to entry in the industry.
Deepali shared her experience in running global teams and working with Fortune 500 and Fortune Ten companies. She started in technology recruiting but landed on Wall Street for financial services recruiting due to her confidence and aggressiveness. She made her name in tech recruiting and specialized in quant AI recruiting specifically for financial services, as they were trying to keep up with Silicon Valley. Due to her expertise, she became a thought leader in the space and advised recruiters to own their domain and become experts in it.
The conversation continued with a discussion on Fearless+, a platform that teaches real-life skills to young people and helps them build a video portfolio to attract opportunities. Fearless aims to disrupt the recruiting industry by offering a more efficient and distinctive way to assess talent through a three-minute elevator pitch that showcases the candidate's holistic story. Fearless+ captures the skill sets and aptitude of potential candidates, and the team plans to optimize the platform to be the newest version of assessing talent. The conversation also touched on the emotional intelligence required to succeed in the recruiting industry and how Fearless+ aims to bridge the gap between traditional school education and the reality of the workforce.
The conversation discussed the importance of building personal brands and displaying real-life skills to attract potential employers, which is where Fearless comes in. Fearless is described as a platform that combines LinkedIn, TikTok, and Masterclass to teach young people real-life skills and help them build a portfolio that showcases their abilities. The platform allows individuals to create videos of themselves and display their skill sets to attract opportunities. The conversation also touched on the future of recruiting and how Fearless may disrupt the industry by providing a more holistic view of candidates through their three-minute elevator pitch and a more efficient way to assess talent.
The guest advised new recruiters to avoid getting lost in large organizations and instead join a boutique recruitment firm where they will have to struggle and work harder. She also recommended mid-level recruiters network with peers in their field and collaborate with them to scale their business. The guest recommended the book Super Bosses by Sidney Finkelstein as a transformative read for managers and leaders. She also discussed her favorite tech tools, including Slack, Notion, and Tome, an AI-powered presentation tool. The guest predicted that AI will revolutionize recruitment by making the process more efficient, particularly in managing large volumes of job applications.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/tfAj664bM78
Deepali Vyas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepalivyas/
Fearless+: https://fearlessplus.com/
With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
Benjamin Mena TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminlmena
Benjamin Mena Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjamin_l_mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/

Apr 27, 2023 • 40min
From Financial Ruin to Millionaire Recruiter with Patrick Barbour
The Elite Recruiter podcast recently featured Patrick Barbour, founder of the Millionaire Recruiter Club, as a special guest. Barbour shared his experience of transitioning from a project manager in the Petrochemical industry to becoming a millionaire through recruiting. He discussed managing large capital projects and using contract labor, which led him to assess the profitability of the industrial staffing business. In 2015, he decided to start his own staffing business and quit his nine-to-five job. Barber talked about the lessons he learned and what it takes to be a top biller and run a seven-figure agency.
Barbour discussed how he had spent two years thinking about starting his staffing business before finally quitting his job in 2016 to start his own LLC in 2017. He talked about leveraging his professional network to acquire clients and early success, but also making big mistakes that were potentially catastrophic. The guest also mentioned that he had reached a point in his career where he was middle management and had a nice salary and bonus, but felt he had plateaued and wanted more.
The speaker shared his decision to leave his job and start his own business due to feeling unfulfilled and working for someone he felt was not intelligent. He recounted a specific project where he disagreed with his boss, who ultimately made the wrong decision, causing significant financial losses for the company. The speaker also shared his experience with taking on a staffing contract with a financially unstable client, which nearly bankrupted his business. He advised against starting with staffing and recommends direct hire as a less risky option. Despite challenges, the direct hire division of his business became the centerpiece of their organization.
The conversation centered around the strategies for building a successful recruiting business. One of the most important components of building a successful recruiting business is to focus on quality roles and clients. To avoid wasting time on unproductive clients, a data-driven scorecard can be used to assess opportunities. Another essential aspect is being proactive and preventative by making it a part of the company culture. Additionally, the conversation highlights the importance of building a team and scaling the agency to add new verticals to the business.
The conversation continued with a focus on the importance of quality roles and having a data-driven approach. The speaker mentioned using a scorecard to assess opportunities and clients based on various variables to determine the likelihood of centered quality and revenue. Additionally, being preventative and proactive is emphasized as a major component of a company's culture, regardless of industry. The speaker stresses the importance of having a systematic and repeatable approach and staying ahead of the learning curve to ensure long-term sustainable profits.
“My guest Patrick Barbour of Millionaire Recruiter Club is offering podcast listeners two complimentary trainings from his new program.
Access now your free guides on the ‘The 3 Critical Pathways to Get to $20k-$50k Months Consistently’ and the ‘Two Catastrophic Landmines Every Recruiting Business Owner Must Know Now:’
https://millionairerecclub.com”
Patrick Barbour LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-barbour-082a461a7/
Millionaire Recruiter Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361428061083353
With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
Benjamin Mena TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminlmena
Benjamin Mena Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjamin_l_mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/

Apr 24, 2023 • 31min
AI and The Future of Recruitment with Benjamin Warberg from Aspect
Benjamin Warberg, a former executive search firm owner and founder of the AI Interview solutions company Aspect was a guest on The Elite Recruiter podcast where he discussed the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the recruiting industry. He shared his journey into recruitment and how he stumbled upon it, as well as his experience starting an AI program called Aspect. The conversation delved into the pain points in human-to-human interaction during the hiring process, which led Benjamin to start a company that could capture and analyze this data.
The conversation highlighted the potential of AI to become a layer in every product used in the recruiting funnel, with LinkedIn as an example of a product incorporating AI features. Benjamin emphasized that while AI can aid in certain aspects of recruitment, such as sourcing and communication, the core of recruitment lies in human interaction and relationship building. He suggested that recruiters should focus on the core aspects of their job while leveraging AI for productivity gains, such as increasing their productivity tenfold with the right AI setup.
The conversation ended with some quickfire questions and answers, including resources for learning about AI and experimenting with its capabilities. Benjamin emphasized the importance of adapting to the rapidly accelerating pace of change and focusing on distribution.
Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of data in recruitment processes and the need to adapt to the changing landscape of AI. While AI has the potential to streamline processes and increase productivity, the core of recruitment lies in human interaction and relationship building. Recruiters should focus on the core aspects of their job while leveraging AI for productivity gains. The conversation also touched on the potential for AI to become a layer in every product used in the recruiting funnel and the need to adapt to the rapidly accelerating pace of change. Resources for learning about AI and experimenting with its capabilities were suggested.
Benjamin Warberg LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwarberg/
Aspect - https://aspect-hq.com/
With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
Benjamin Mena TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminlmena
Benjamin Mena Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjamin_l_mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/

Apr 19, 2023 • 33min
The Blueprint to a 7-Figure Recruitment Agency with James Blackwell
James Blackwell, Director of the Agency Blueprint and managing director of Ronald James Group, was interviewed by Benjamin on the Elite Recruiter podcast. Blackwell discussed his journey in the recruitment industry, starting as a car salesman before falling into recruitment and eventually starting his own agency in 2015. He spoke about the common issue of recruiters setting up their own agency and becoming highly paid employees for their own business instead of growing and scaling.
To hit the seven-figure mark in a recruitment business, Blackwell advised building a client attraction system through a Dream 100 campaign for repeat business and winning clients exclusively retained by creating a unique methodology and signature sales pitch deck. However, to scale beyond $100-250k, it is important to learn how to be a business owner and not just a recruiter. Blackwell emphasized that a highly employed solopreneur is not a business owner.
During the conversation, Blackwell discussed strategies for small and solo recruitment agencies to thrive in a recession by being leaner and more agile than larger agencies. In addition to sending automated email or LinkedIn campaigns, agencies should consider going the extra mile to differentiate themselves, such as building a marketing agency to help boost a client's brand and attract better talent or offering a free workshop to potential clients.
Regarding starting one's own recruitment agency, Blackwell advised on the importance of having a mentor and a plan to map out the niche market and win clients, and not to worry about the website initially. He also suggested not taking investors and focusing on building a proper business by getting some money coming in and then building client acquisition system and operations. Blackwell emphasized the importance of investing in oneself and not taking 50-50 partnerships or giving away billings every month to companies that invest in recruitment agency startups.
Blackwell recommended the book "How to Get Rich" by Felix Dennis for its practical advice on building a successful business with systems and "Built to Sell" by John Wobbleau Talk for its principles on building a business that is not reliant on the owner. He also shared his favorite quote, "If you think you can, then you can, and if you think you can't, you can't."
Throughout the conversation, Blackwell emphasized the importance of building relationships and honing persuasion skills as a recruiter. He recommended the book "Search and Placement" by Steve Finkel as a valuable resource for new recruiters. For experienced recruiters, he suggested considering going out on their own to build their own business empire or partnering with their current agency to add value and progress within the company. He also advised against seeking investors for a recruitment agency startup, as this often results in giving away a large portion of billings without receiving adequate support or systems to build the business. He emphasized the importance of investing in oneself and finding a mentor for guidance and support.
James Blackwell:
https://www.youtube.com/@Jamesblackwellrecruitment
https://www.entrepreneurjames.co.uk/case-study
With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
Benjamin Mena TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminlmena
Benjamin Mena Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjamin_l_mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/

Apr 14, 2023 • 31min
How To Robot Proof Your Recruitment Career with Katrina Collier
In a recent Elite Recruiter podcast episode, host Benjamin Mena interviewed Katrina Collier, author of The Robot-Proof Recruiter, about the changing recruitment market and the importance of staying relevant in the age of AI. Katrina Collier shared her background in recruitment, starting as a trainee recruitment consultant after moving to London from Australia. She also discussed the lack of education around the recruitment profession and the importance of improving candidate experience and recruitment practices.
The conversation centered around Collier's book, The Robot-Proof Recruiter, which argues that recruiters cannot be replaced by technology. The book aims to help recruiters understand the challenges of recruitment in a digital age and how to stand out in a crowded market. Collier emphasized the importance of treating candidates with compassion and kindness, pushing back on hiring managers when necessary, and doing proper intakes to ensure a better human experience. The book has received contributions from 85 people worldwide, making it a comprehensive manual that recruiters need to read. Collier donated her royalties from the book to a charity that aims to end modern-day slavery.
The conversation also touched on the impact of the pandemic on recruitment and the need for more education about the profession. The speakers discussed the impact of overhiring in the recruitment industry and how it affects people's lives. They talked about how companies knee-jerk react to economic changes by firing TA teams, the lack of awareness among recruiters about the slowing of hiring, and the responsibility of the C Suite in signing off on requisitions. They also discussed the impact of irresponsible hiring on people's lives, emphasizing the need for recruiters to remember the compassion and empathy that they lost during the pandemic.
The conversation then turned to the impact of AI on recruiters. Collier expressed skepticism, stating that AI will only create more noise and spam unless the person using the tool is creative and curious enough to personalize messages. They also gave an example of a highly personalized message from 2015 that went viral on Twitter but did not elicit a response from the recipient. The speakers also touched upon the issue of overhiring by companies and the need for the C-Suite to be held accountable for the impact on people's lives. However, they remained optimistic that the job market will eventually level out.
The speakers provided advice for recruiters, emphasizing the importance of being more creative and trying different methods to get in touch with hiring managers. They emphasized the need for a proper job intake process, as it is the most overlooked part of the hiring process. Recruiters were encouraged to spend time upfront with hiring managers to understand their needs and not to accept outdated job descriptions. The conversation also highlighted the need to look forward and understand what the company really needs, and the importance of getting hiring managers to invest time upfront to save time and money in the long run. The conversation ended with the advice to drop attitudes and partner with hiring managers to fill roles.
Katrina Collier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinacollier/
Robot
Proof Recruiter Book: https://amzn.to/41qGvUy
Katrina Collier Website: https://katrinacollier.com/
With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
Benjamin Mena TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminlmena
Benjamin Mena Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjamin_l_mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/

Apr 6, 2023 • 47min
Lessons Learned From $100K to $1 Million and from $1 Million to $5 Million with Will Spengler from Frederick Fox
The Elite Recruiter Podcast recently featured William Spengler, the CEO of Frederick Fox, a successful recruitment firm specializing in technology and accounting and finance verticals. Spengler has been in the recruitment space for twelve years and started as an accountant before transitioning into sales. He sold roofing, solar, and paper through door-to-door sales before being recruited by Adecco Group to become a recruiter.
The conversation revolved around the journey of a recruiter in 2023, the challenges of balancing technology and automation while still sticking to recruiting fundamentals, and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and adapting to the turbulent industry environment. The speaker emphasized the need for recruiters to combine old-school and new-school techniques to achieve success and maintain personalization while building real relationships with customers.
The conversation also discussed different models of recruitment agencies, including corporate conglomerates, independent virtual platforms, franchise models, and solopreneurs. Spengler talked about Frederick Fox's partner program, which offers independent contractors the opportunity to start at 80% commissions and scale up to 100% commissions through equity ties and profit sharing. He emphasized the importance of honesty, coachability, and humbleness when looking for recruiters to hire.
The speaker shared their own experience of taking twelve years to reach a million in gross margin billings and highlighted the importance of consistency, routine, and holding oneself accountable to high metrics to become a successful recruiter. They also advised recruiters to adapt to the current market and target industries that are currently hot.
The conversation also touched on the importance of onboarding and training for recruiters and the best ways to get clients in 2023. The speakers emphasized the need for recruiters to adapt to industries that are hot and use creative personalization at scale to target individuals based on random interests and grab their attention.
The guest advised new recruiters to ask questions, learn from experienced recruiters, and set their ego aside. They shared a story about how they emulated the top producers in their division and became one of the top producers themselves. The conversation also touched on the importance of seeking out mentors and coaches and recommended the book Don't Feed the Monkey Mind by Jennifer Shannon, which helped them cope with anxiety and fear, allowing them to take on bigger challenges in their career.
The guest emphasized the importance of adaptability and creativity in getting through a recession as a recruiter, sharing an example of a partner who targeted laboratory businesses that did COVID tests and was able to get 300 contractors out at laboratory sites during the pandemic. They also mentioned a quote about the eagle flying above the storm and avoiding it, which they found inspiring.
Overall, the conversation provided valuable insights into the world of recruitment and highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, adapting to the industry environment, and combining old school and new school techniques to achieve success.
Will Spengler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-spengler-2193433a/
Frederick Fox - https://frederickfox.com/
Frederick Fox LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/frederick-fox/
With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
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