

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

Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 4min
From Scarcity to Success: Grace Marlin’s Roadmap to Becoming the Top Recruiter in Your Agency
If you're hitting roadblocks in your recruitment career or struggling to close deals effectively, this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast is tailored for you. Grace Marlin's journey from early financial struggles to leading a successful recruitment agency provides invaluable insights into navigating the volatile recruitment market, building a high-quality network, and implementing effective strategies to ensure sustained success. This episode addresses common challenges such as client management, overcoming setbacks, and career frustrations, offering practical steps to enhance your recruitment skills and professional growth.
BD and Sales Summit Registration: https://bd-sales-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/
Expert Strategies for Success:
Learn how Grace Marlin applies the 80/20 rule to maximize efficiency, focusing on core clients and candidates that drive more deals. By emulating her methods, you'll understand how to streamline your recruitment process and work smarter, not harder.
Building a High-Quality Network:
Grace shares her secrets for constructing a robust professional network, emphasizing the importance of patience, continuous improvement, and viewing your recruitment desk as a business. This will help you engage clients effectively and establish your authority in the market.
Handling Industry Challenges:
Discover how to tackle recruiter burnout, navigate economic fluctuations, and develop emotional resilience. Grace's personal anecdotes and professional tips will inspire you to bounce back from setbacks and reaffirm your commitment to the industry.
Tune in to this inspiring episode now and equip yourself with the insights and strategies that can transform your recruitment career from scarcity to success!
BD and Sales Summit Registration: https://bd-sales-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/
Join The Elite Recruiter Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1D75ReiFKo/
Want to check out Finish The Year Strong Summit Replays? - https://finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/AY2lwkhd2xI
Jeremy Lyons LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyonsjeremy/
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/

Dec 9, 2024 • 46min
Why RecOps is Crucial for Modern Recruiting Success with Jeremy Lyons
Have you ever wondered how the often-overlooked realm of recruiting operations (RecOps) could be the key to unlocking ultimate efficiency and success in your recruitment process?
In the rapidly evolving field of recruitment, businesses face immense pressure to optimize their hiring processes and manage their workforce effectively. Common issues such as inefficient recruitment workflows, misaligned departmental goals, and the strain of juggling multiple roles can hinder growth. In this episode, Jeremy Lyons, a leader in the RecOps space, sheds light on how mastering recruiting operations can address these challenges, offering tangible strategies to refine and streamline your recruitment efforts while strengthening your company’s overall talent management.
Understanding Critical Roles: Jeremy explains the crucial distinction between recruiting operations (RecOps) and people operations (People Ops), illustrating how each plays a unique part in employee management and responding to layoffs. This clarity helps businesses allocate responsibilities more effectively, improving overall organizational structure.Leveraging AI and Data Analytics: Learn how advancements in AI and the strategic use of data analytics can enhance recruitment efficiency. Jeremy delves into how these tools can aid in training, compliance monitoring, and transforming recruitment operations into strategic business partnerships, ensuring that your recruitment processes are data-driven and forward-thinking.Career Advancement and Practical Advice: For recruiters aspiring to transition into RecOps, Jeremy provides actionable advice on focusing on system design, automation, and the importance of data storytelling. His guidance on managing career goals and engaging in open conversations with managers offers a roadmap for professional growth within the recruitment landscape.
Don't miss out on these game-changing insights – listen to this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast now and discover how RecOps can revolutionize your recruitment process for unparalleled success!
BD and Sales Summit Registration: https://bd-sales-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/
Join The Elite Recruiter Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1D75ReiFKo/
Want to check out Finish The Year Strong Summit Replays? - https://finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/
Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: https://youtu.be/AY2lwkhd2xI
Jeremy Lyons LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyonsjeremy/
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/

Dec 5, 2024 • 47min
From Launching Her Own Firm To Inc 5000 Recruitment Firm Owner with Sharon Bondurant
Are you a recruiter or entrepreneur looking to turn your passion into a highly successful business? This episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast holds the roadmap to your success!
BD and Sales Summit Registration: https://bd-sales-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/
Join host Benjamin Mena as he delves deep with Sharon Bondurant, a remarkable success story of a recruiter who built her firm from the ground up, ultimately earning a coveted spot on the Inc 5000 list. This episode is packed with actionable insights on overcoming entrepreneurial challenges, setting big goals, and leveraging passion to establish trust and credibility with clients and candidates.
Is your recruitment business struggling with sustainable growth, or are you contemplating starting your own firm but uncertain about the hurdles ahead? Sharon's journey is incredibly relevant as she underscores the importance of taking action without over-complicating processes—a universal struggle for many budding entrepreneurs.
Strategic Goals and Business Planning: Sharon breaks down her methodology of annual business planning and quarterly SWOT analysis to keep her company agile and aligned with evolving personal and professional circumstances.Authentic Networking and Relationship Building: Learn how maintaining genuine professional relationships and leveraging authenticity can foster trust and open new opportunities, crucial for both new and experienced recruiters.Overcoming Self-Imposed Limitations: Sharon shares transformative insights from influential books like "The E Myth" and "The Big Leap," and emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and persistence in conquering fears and realizing your full potential.
To experience Sharon Bondurant's incredible journey firsthand and glean strategies to propel your recruiting career or business to new heights, tune in now to The Elite Recruiter Podcast and transform your career!
BD and Sales Summit Registration: https://bd-sales-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/
Join The Elite Recruiter Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1D75ReiFKo/
Want to check out Finish The Year Strong Summit Replays? - https://finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/
Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: https://youtu.be/MCQ6in4UDyc
Sharon Bondurant LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonbondurant/
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/

Dec 2, 2024 • 1h 3min
From Zero to $100,000 Months with Kyle Rubattino and Joe Walsh
Have you ever wondered how a recruitment business can scale from a modest $3,000 to an impressive $100,000 in monthly recurring revenue within just a few months?
In today's fast-paced business environment, many recruitment professionals and startup founders face the challenge of rapidly expanding their teams while maintaining quality and efficiency. This episode dives into the practical steps and strategies that can transform a modest recruitment operation into a highly effective engine of growth, leading to substantial financial success and organizational expansion.
Insights from Experts Who've Scaled Big: Learn from Kyle Rubattino and Joe Walsh, who share their firsthand experiences and practical advice on scaling a business from scratch. With backgrounds in expanding companies like Uber and other notable tech firms, these insights are invaluable for anyone aiming to grow their recruitment business.Strategic Partnership Benefits: Discover the real power of forming strategic partnerships that complement your strengths and fill your gaps. Kyle and Joe offer a deep dive into their partnership's dynamics, revealing how their complementary skills in finance, operations, and talent recruitment have driven their success.Proven Recruitment Tools and Techniques: Get acquainted with the latest recruitment tools that leverage AI for sourcing candidates and improving business development. Kyle and Joe also provide actionable advice on refining interview processes, candidate tracking, and understanding fundamental industry trends to stay ahead.
Tune into this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast to uncover the secrets behind achieving monumental growth in the recruitment business from the experts who have done it themselves—hit play now to transform your own recruitment strategy!
BD and Sales Summit Registration: https://bd-sales-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/
Join The Elite Recruiter Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1D75ReiFKo/
Want to check out Finish The Year Strong Summit Replays? - https://finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/
Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: https://youtu.be/zS2nMLEzM4M
Kyle Rubattino LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-rubattino/
Joe Walsh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-walsh-7a80923a/
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/

Nov 25, 2024 • 50min
Mastering Business Development and Client Engagement for Recruiters with Jennifer Meyer
Ever wondered how you can break the monotony of predictable conversations and truly engage clients and candidates in recruitment?
In the competitive world of recruitment, connecting effectively with clients and candidates can significantly impact your success. Discovering ways to create genuine conversations rather than rehearsed dialogues can be your game-changer. Whether you're struggling with client engagement or looking for innovative business development strategies, this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast dives into practical tips and real-life experiences that can help you make 2024 your best year yet.
Pattern Interruption Techniques: Learn how slight alterations in your conversation patterns can reveal genuine responses and foster more meaningful interactions with candidates and clients.Authentic Business Development: Jennifer Meyer shares strategies for authentic and casual business conversations, helping you build better relationships without the typical sales resistance.Maximizing Conversations: Understand the importance of enhancing your dialogue strategies to gather valuable leads during recruiting calls, ensuring you make the most out of every interaction.
Don't miss out on these invaluable insights; tune in now to learn how you can revolutionize your recruiting efforts and achieve unparalleled success—listen to the full episode on The Elite Recruiter Podcast!
BD and Sales Summit Registration: https://bd-sales-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/
Join The Elite Recruiter Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1D75ReiFKo/
Want to check out Finish The Year Strong Summit Replays? - https://finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/
Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: https://youtu.be/ckRS51wSTpo
Jennifer Meyer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmeyergovig/
Pinnacle Society: https://pinnaclesociety.org/
Pinnacle Take Podcast: https://generalz6.podbean.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/

Nov 20, 2024 • 42min
100% Close Rate Strategies: Lessons from Elite Recruiter Steve Swan
How does a top-tier recruiter maintain a flawless 100% close rate while navigating the complexities of high-demand industries like tech and biotech?
In the dynamic world of recruitment, where matching the right talent to the right roles often feels like fitting puzzle pieces together, achieving a perfect track record is a rare feat. If you're grappling with candidate indecision, inconsistent hiring results, or challenges in securing long-term employee retention, this episode is a must-listen. Steve Swan’s holistic approach offers valuable insights that could redefine your recruiting strategies, ensuring both your candidates and clients find lasting success.
Tailored Matching Strategies:Steve Swan shares his nuanced techniques for understanding and aligning the core drivers of both candidates and organizations. By balancing emotional and logical decision-making, he excels in crafting job matches that stand the test of time.Sustaining Relationship Quality:Discover how Steve fosters deep, enduring relationships with candidates and hiring managers through continuous engagement practices like face-to-face meetings, LinkedIn interactions, and personal touches, such as holiday cards.Effective Networking for Growth:Learn Steve’s approach to leveraging podcasts, industry roundtables, and social events to foster genuine connections and drive business development without resorting to aggressive sales tactics.
Tune in now to hear Steve Swan reveal his secrets to achieving a 100% close rate, and elevate your recruitment game by integrating these proven strategies into your own practice.
BD and Sales Summit Registration: https://bd-sales-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/
Want to check out Finish The Year Strong Summit Replays? - https://finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/
Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: https://youtu.be/_ykgGI6qXbI
Steve Swan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swangroup/
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/

Nov 14, 2024 • 55min
From Navy Veteran to Recruitment Owner: Micah Clay's Journey to Success
In today’s competitive job market, transitioning from military service to a civilian career or gaining a foothold in the recruitment industry can be daunting. This episode dives into the extraordinary journey of Micah Clay, whose military experience provided him with unique resilience and strategic insights that propelled his recruitment agency to success. His story and strategies could be the blueprint you need to solve your current challenges and reach your career aspirations.
Effective Networking and Strategic Planning: Learn how Micah uses inside knowledge of organizations and reverse engineering to create successful career strategies, helping you understand how to navigate and exploit market opportunities tactically.Essential Reading and Personal Development: Discover the influential books that shaped Micah’s business philosophy and personal growth, providing you with a curated list of must-reads to boost your sales techniques, customer service, and emotional resilience.Veteran Transition Insights and Support: Uncover critical advice and actionable steps for veterans transitioning to civilian careers, along with practical support for entrepreneurial endeavors in recruitment, ensuring a smoother and more informed career shift.
Don't miss out on this engaging and educational episode—listen now to transform your recruitment strategies and career journey with insights from Micah Clay’s inspiring transition from Navy veteran to successful recruitment firm owner!
Want to check out Finish The Year Strong Summit Replays? - https://finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/
Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: https://youtu.be/rxLCd4WHgZs
Micah Clay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micahwclay/
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/

Nov 11, 2024 • 48min
How To Go From Billing $200k to $700k: Dante Nino’s Blueprint for Scaling Recruitment Teams
How can you elevate your recruitment team's billing from $200k to a staggering $700k?
In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Dante Nino, a young and successful agency owner, to uncover his tried-and-tested blueprint for scaling recruitment teams. If you’re a recruiter or agency owner seeking to overcome the challenges of a competitive market and scale your business, this episode is your ultimate guide. Current market conditions are tough, but with Dante's insights, recruiters can strategically push through, ensuring they are well-prepared for a prosperous future.
Actionable Blueprint for Scaling: Dante Nino shares an in-depth look at his proven system that can help elevate your earnings dramatically, from $200-300k to $500-700k. Learn the importance of reinvesting profits, nurturing client relationships, and building solid infrastructure to sustain and grow your business.Insights on Team and Client Management: Understand the significance of making your first ten hires count, sustaining a strong company culture remotely, and the impact of face-to-face client interactions. Dante’s focus on personal and professional development, along with maintaining a strong team communication framework, will give you tools to lead more effectively.Personal and Professional Growth Strategies: Discover how consistent content creation and leveraging social media can position you at the top of your industry. Hear Dante’s experiences with both successful and challenging hires, and how understanding and supporting your team’s long-term goals can lead to better retention and performance.
Join Benjamin Mena and Dante Nino on this transformative episode to uncover the blueprint for scaling your recruitment earnings and building a resilient business! Play now and gear up for a successful future in recruitment.
Want to check out Finish The Year Strong Summit Replays? - https://finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/
Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: https://youtu.be/FTTbyJLDgfg
Dante Nino:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dante-n/
Tiello: https://www.tiello.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/

Nov 7, 2024 • 59min
From Sports to Recruiting: Jay Veniard's Secrets to Achieving Long-Term Success
Ever wondered if the secret to excelling in recruiting lies in training like a professional athlete?
In the highly competitive world of recruiting, the journey to consistent and long-term success is often fraught with challenges like burnout, rejection, and the pressure to meet high performance metrics. This episode targets these common issues by offering a fresh perspective. Join host Benjamin Mena as he delves into the mind of Jay Veniard—an ex-professional athlete who now thrives in the recruiting domain. Discover how the principles of sports training can be translated into actionable strategies for achieving unparalleled success in recruiting.
Maximize Your Daily Efficiency: Veniard shares the importance of focusing on critical tasks over generic to-do lists, ensuring activities are aligned with the ultimate goal of placements.Achieve Peak Performance: Learn how setting and consistently hitting daily targets like calls, emails, and LinkedIn messages can significantly elevate your performance metrics.Mental Toughness and Mastery: Uncover techniques for building mental resilience to combat burnout and negative self-talk, including the "bitch voice" vs. "boss voice" concept, and how mastering the fundamentals like phone calls can lead to sustained success.
Ready to unlock the secrets of long-term recruiting success directly from an industry expert? Click play now and revolutionize your recruiting approach!
Want to check out Finish The Year Strong Summit Replays? - https://finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/
Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: https://youtu.be/XFo-AYKSEHU
Jay Veniard:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayveniard/
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15BCY45nLw/
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/

Nov 4, 2024 • 44min
From Layoff to $200K in Less Than 6 Months: Blueprint for Recruitment Success by Launching His Own Firm with Tyler Rossi
Have you ever wondered how someone can transform a layoff into a thriving business, generating over $200,000 in just six months?
In today's volatile job market, many professionals face the daunting reality of sudden layoffs, leading to unexpected career shifts. This episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast dives into a remarkable story of resilience and strategic acumen. Our guest, Tyler Rossi, turned his job loss into an opportunity by launching a successful recruiting firm. His journey offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to pivot their career or start their own business, especially in unpredictable times.
Proven LinkedIn Outreach Strategies: Learn how to leverage LinkedIn automation to connect with industry professionals and maintain high acceptance rates. Tyler shares his nuanced approach to engagement, positioning oneself not as a job pitcher but as a resource for future opportunities.Effective Client and Candidate Management: Discover tools and techniques such as Crete for tracking and managing relationships, and the importance of maintaining clear and transparent dialogues with both candidates and clients. Tyler emphasizes the critical role of building trust and authority within a specific niche to streamline the recruitment process.Balancing Personal Life and Entrepreneurship: Get inspired by Tyler's personal journey of balancing early parenthood while launching a business. He talks candidly about the challenges, the support of his family, and how he maintained motivation through spiritual guidance and community support.
Ready to transform career setbacks into entrepreneurial success? Tune in now to uncover Tyler Rossi’s blueprint for achieving remarkable growth in the recruitment industry. Listen to The Elite Recruiter Podcast and gain actionable insights to elevate your career or business.
Want to check out Finish The Year Strong Summit Replays? - https://finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/
Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
YouTube: https://youtu.be/2oSEdElgfOw
Tyler Rossi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerrossi/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/recruiterofsteel/
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/


