Mindset Episodes

Welcome to another compelling episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today, we have an exceptional guest, Aaron Opalewski, who has impressively scaled seven recruiting firms and brings a wealth of strategic insights for growing your business. In this episode, Aaron and our host, Benjamin Mena, dive deep into the art of seizing opportunities, the crucial role of recurring revenue in business expansion, and the delicate balance of health and performance in long-term success. Aaron also shares invaluable advice on navigating the recruiting landscape, mastering the fundamentals, and the importance of transforming adversity into success. Whether you’re an aspiring recruiter or a seasoned professional, Aaron’s journey from humble beginnings to industry leader provides actionable strategies and inspiration to make the upcoming year your best yet. Plus, stay tuned for a special preview of Aaron kicking off the "Finish the Year Strong Summit." Let’s dive in!

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today's episode, titled "Building an Authentic Personal Brand in Recruiting," our host Benjamin Mena sits down with the engaging Joel Lalgee. Joel, known widely as "The Realist Recruiter," shares his invaluable insights into the world of recruitment and content creation. From emphasizing the importance of patience and finding mentors to the critical role of effective business planning, Joel offers a wealth of advice for budding recruiters and content creators alike.We'll delve into Joel's journey from ambiguous content creator to a well-recognized name in recruiting, explore his strategies for monetizing content, and discuss the power of consistency in brand-building. Benjamin and Joel also reflect on balancing work-life commitments and offer actionable tips for creating impactful recruitment content.Tune in as we uncover Joel’s practical advice on maintaining authenticity, leveraging news for thought leadership, and building a s…

Welcome to this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, hosted by Benjamin Mena. Today, we're diving deep into the world of peak performance with special guest Gary Stauble, founder of The Recruiting Lab and an expert in performance strategies for the recruiting industry. Gary's fascinating journey from being in a rock band to becoming a seven-figure billing superstar is packed with invaluable insights.In this episode, we'll explore how designing a business around your personal values can lead to phenomenal success. Gary emphasizes minimizing interruptions to achieve a flow state and how batching tasks can dramatically boost productivity. We'll also discuss the importance of creating systems and SOPs to ensure flexibility and freedom in your recruiting career. Learn about the three approaches to success in recruiting: the lone ranger model, the traditional firm owner model, and the hybrid Rainmaker model.Stay tuned as Gary shares actionable tips on effective time management, d…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today's episode, join hosts Somer Hackley and Benjamin Mena as they explore "The Power of Empathy and Relationships in Launching an Executive Search Firm" with Somer's inspiring journey. Listen in as Somer reveals the intense pressures and health challenges she faced while working in recruitment, which led her to transition to working independently. Discover how she built successful partnerships, self-published a transformative book, and leveraged personal networking to launch her own executive search firm.From her early days in contingency search to the sophisticated world of executive recruitment, Somer shares invaluable lessons on adaptability, empathy, and the power of genuine relationships. She discusses her hands-on approach to client interactions, the significance of maintaining long-term connections, and how listening and curiosity can lead to business success. Plus, gain insights into the effective tools and strategies she swears…

In today's episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with ex-athlete turned successful recruiter Domenic Maiani, who shares his incredible journey of leaving a stable job, overcoming legal hurdles, and skyrocketing his new recruiting agency to a $1.5 million success in just one year. Many recruiters struggle with the challenges of starting their own agency and scaling their business, and this episode dives deep into those very struggles, providing actionable insights to help you achieve similar, if ...

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today's episode, titled **"Bet on Yourself: Zaharo Tsekouras on Starting a Recruiting Firm,"** we have an inspiring conversation between your host, Benjamin Mena, and guest host, Zaharo Tsekouras. Join us as Zaharo shares her incredible journey of launching a successful recruiting company, even while expecting a child! She offers invaluable advice on betting on yourself, overcoming fears, and navigating the challenges of starting a business.Throughout the episode, you'll learn how to effectively reach out to CEOs for business development, the importance of cold emailing, and why targeting potential customers with specific services can yield a high response rate. Zaharo also talks about key books that influenced her career, and why trusting your gut is essential for early-career professionals.We'll dive into the nuances of niche specialization in recruiting, the significance of building strong, genuine relationships with clients and ca…

Welcome back, listeners, to another enlightening episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast. Today, we have a special guest who truly embodies the spirit of continuous improvement and excellence in recruiting—Casey Jacox. Casey shares invaluable insights on mastering the art of recruiting, emphasizing the critical importance of practicing skills, seeking mentorship, and maintaining a mindset of perpetual growth.From his early coaching experiences that shaped his path, to his remarkable success as a top biller at Kforce, Casey's journey is packed with stories and lessons that every recruiter can learn from. He advocates for genuine client relationships, the significance of humility and kindness, and how visualization and positive affirmations play a pivotal role in achieving goals.We'll also delve into Casey’s entrepreneurial transition, his published work, his podcasting adventures, and his philosophy of creating positive environments by staying curious and vulnerable. Whether you…

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast. I’m your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we’re diving deep into the transformative world of personal branding within the recruiting industry. Join me in conversing with our special guest, Darren Westall from Paiger, as he takes us through his fascinating journey from tech and recruitment to becoming a leading advocate for innovative personal branding strategies.In this episode, we'll explore how the recruitment landscape has shifted from traditional job boards to dynamic B2B social networks like LinkedIn. Darren shares invaluable insights on the importance of consistency in building trust and credibility, and provides practical advice on leveraging multiple touch points—from LinkedIn posts and comments to real-life meetings—to maximize your reach and engagement.We also discuss how recruiters can use AI tools effectively to streamline their processes, improve work-life balance, and boost earnings. Darren advises…

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! I'm your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we're diving deep into the world of recruiting success with none other than Andrea Rishmawi. Andrea's journey from being inspired by "The Secret" to becoming a top biller in the recruiting industry is a testament to the power of mindset, visualization, and hard work. In this episode, Andrea shares her incredible story of moving to Santa Monica, achieving rookie of the year status, and eventually launching her own firm, 180 Collective.We'll explore the crucial role of mindset and gratitude in her success, the importance of authentic relationships, and how she maintains a high level of productivity and client satisfaction. Andrea also offers invaluable advice on using LinkedIn effectively, the impact of key books on her career, and the benefits of a unique firm setup that focuses on collaboration over competition.Stay tuned as Andrea and I discuss how recruiters can make …

Welcome back to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! I’m your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we have an insightful conversation with Andrew Lewis, a seasoned recruiter with a unique blend of agency and in-house experience. Andrew initially contemplated starting his own search firm but eventually pivoted to a career in tech talent acquisition.In this episode, we dive into Andrew’s journey, from rapidly scaling a branch to $2 million in revenue to navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrew shares his thoughts on the perceived conflicts between in-house and agency recruiters, the importance of social media presence, and how recruiters can truly differentiate themselves in a competitive market. We also explore the transformative impact of AI tools in recruitment and the necessity for continuous learning and adaptability in our ever-evolving industry.Join us as Andrew discusses building a meaningful presence on LinkedIn, leveraging mentors, and offering v…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Julia Arpag, a remarkable leader who turned a major setback into a monumental success. Join host Benjamin Mena as he dives into Julia's inspiring journey from being laid off while on maternity leave to generating $500,000 in revenue within just nine months.Julia shares invaluable insights on maintaining empathy and a commitment to positive leadership, running a lean organization, and the power of affirmations and intentional thought. We discuss the importance of high performance over monetary goals, staying disciplined, and leveraging personalized marketing strategies like Dripify on LinkedIn.Tune in to hear how Julia's dedication, strategic mindset, and coaching support helped her transition from an employee to a successful business owner. We also explore her daily routines, the significance of financial preparedness, and essential advice for aspiring and seasoned recruiters. Don’t miss out on…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today's episode, we delve into the world of sourcing hacks with our distinguished guest, Michael Rasmussen. Hosted by Benjamin Mena, this episode explores Michael's fascinating journey from an HR generalist to a seasoned recruiter who transformed his passion into a full-time career. Michael shares how hands-on experience and mentorship from industry experts like Mark Tortoise played a pivotal role in honing his skills.We'll discuss the thrilling rewards of successful placements, including a significant $10,000 fee, and how AI is revolutionizing the recruiting landscape just as email did in the past. Michael provides invaluable tips on leveraging AI tools like Chat GPT for creating compelling candidate messages and refining Boolean strings. Looking beyond LinkedIn, he emphasizes the importance of Boolean basics and open web searches, using platforms like Facebook and GitHub to find diverse profiles.Discover practical tools such as Luci…

Join us for an insightful episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast as we sit down with the exceptional Dandan Zhu, a revered name in agency recruitment. With a career that began in the competitive UK market and soared to remarkable heights in the US, Dandan brings a unique perspective on the nuances of the industry. From discussing the intense work ethic instilled by her family to sharing her "seven seven seven" rule for success, Dandan dives deep into the strategies that propelled her to the top. Exploring the differences in recruitment business models and compensation plans, she offers a candid look at the challenges and rewards of the field. As she emphasizes the value of human interaction over technology in recruiting, Dandan's insights on personal development and career choices are truly enlightening. For practical advice on navigating the agency recruitment world and insights into building a successful career, tune in to this engaging episode with Dandan Zhu on The Elite Recruiter…

Have you ever considered how a contrarian approach could turn your recruiting process from conventional to exceptional? Contrarian Recruiting Strategies with Peter Leffkowitz Part 2 In the competitive field of recruiting, time is often of the essence, yet rapid placements can lead to superficial matches that don't stand the test of time. Today’s recruiters face the dilemma of balancing speed with quality, often sacrificing the latter. Imagine a strategy that bucks this trend, prioritizing deep c...

Have you ever considered how a contrarian approach could turn your recruiting process from conventional to exceptional? Contrarian Recruiting Strategies with Peter Leffkowitz Part 1 In the competitive field of recruiting, time is often of the essence, yet rapid placements can lead to superficial matches that don't stand the test of time. Today’s recruiters face the dilemma of balancing speed with quality, often sacrificing the latter. Imagine a strategy that bucks this trend, prioritizing deep c...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast. I'm your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we're joined by a truly remarkable guest, Pete Tomasko, who has an incredible story of transformation from homelessness to becoming a partner in a thriving search firm, Titan Placement Group. Twelve years living on the streets, battling addiction, and overcoming personal demons—Pete’s journey is nothing short of miraculous.In today’s episode, titled "Homeless to Search Firm Owner: The Transformational Power of Recruiting," Pete will share how he was introduced to the recruiting industry at 45, with no prior experience, and how this opportunity completely turned his life around. We'll explore the challenges he faced, including dealing with toxic work environments and how breaking free from those led him to success and fulfillment. Pete also sits on the board of directors for Lite Share Behavioral and Wellness Centers, where he uses his personal experiences to help others. Hi…

Welcome to another compelling episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, hosted by Benjamin Mena. Today, we are joined by special guest Ben Browning, an accomplished professional whose insights from his tenure at Robert Half and EY have revolutionized recruitment strategies. In this episode titled "The 7 Pillars of Effective Recruiting with Ben Browning," we delve deep into the transformative strategies that make recruitment a winner's game.Ben shares his invaluable experience, emphasizing the importance of understanding the bigger recruitment picture focusing on quality and speed of hire, and how a strategic feedback-oriented approach can enhance relationships with businesses. We will explore the crucial seven pillars of recruiting—culture, systems, metrics, performance, positioning, prospecting, and closing— that Ben attributes to his successful shift from traditional recruitment to a more strategic-minded approach.Furthermore, Ben will highlight innovative techniques for outre…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today, we have a thrilling conversation with special guest Brianna Rooney, a self-made millionaire recruiter who will share her journey from bartending to creating her own powerhouse recruiting agency. Brianna's inspiring story offers tons of insights into building financial success, the power of leveraging technology, and the essential mindset shifts needed to thrive in recruiting. We'll delve into her early struggles, how she capitalized on LinkedIn before it boomed, and her strategic move to establish a commission-based reward system that kept her team motivated. From the importance of hiring and training to leveraging personal coaching for emotional intelligence, Brianna covers it all, providing invaluable advice for both budding and veteran recruiters. We'll also discuss some innovative tech tools that are changing the game in recruitment. Stay tuned as we explore how focus, resilience, and continuous learning can lead yo…

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, titled "Data Mastery for Recruiters: How to Track and Transform into a Leader." Today, we're thrilled to have Luke Eaton join us to dive deep into the crucial role of data in transforming recruitment processes and how recruiters can evolve into strategic business leaders.Luke, with his unconventional journey from a window cleaner and magician to a top-tier recruitment expert, will share his insights on the importance of aligning recruitment strategies with business goals. He’ll discuss the transformative power of data, the importance of business problem-solving, and how technology, particularly AI, can significantly enhance recruitment efficiency.Our host, Benjamin Mena, will explore Luke's personal career evolution, his recommendations on project management governance, and how self-taught skills in data and agile methodologies empowered him to communicate effectively with engineering managers. Luke will a…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where we sharpen your game in sales, marketing, mindset, money, leadership, and placements. I'm your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we bring you "The Seven-Figure Playbook: Scaling Strategies for Elite Recruiters" with our esteemed guest, Mark Whitby, a trailblazer who has transformed the lives of recruiters across the globe by training the top billers in our industry.Dive deep with us as Mark shares his proven insights on strategic marketing, why beating the majority is more crucial than outperforming everyone, and how to leverage systems and coaching to skyrocket your billings. Discover why a thoughtful approach to copywriting and cold calling is essential for cutting through the outreach noise and learn the paramount importance of self-improvement, a trait admired in the high-performing elite.Also on deck, Mark will reveal the six pillars critical to building a seven-figure recruitment business, the changing landscape of recruiting in…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! I'm your host, Benjamin Mena, and today's episode, "Being Different Is The Path To Success," features an invigorating discussion with the dynamic Cas van Oort. Cas dives into the art of leveraging job boards as a multi-faceted funnel not just for government contracting but as an innovative approach to recruitment services. He shares sage advice on the long-term commitment required to nurture such a platform and how it can become a magnet for both clients and candidates.Cas enlightens us on the indispensable role of personal branding, a tool both rookie and seasoned recruiters ought to wield effectively. He urges us to embrace uniqueness in our marketing and business strategies, reinforcing the lesson from Chris Voss's "Never Split the Difference" about the power of the "DJ voice" in communication.Our conversation meanders through the potential impacts of AI on the recruitment industry, affirming that while AI may handle many tasks, the human…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where each episode is a new journey into the strategies that make recruitment a transformative career. I'm your host, Benjamin Mena, and today, we're delving deep into the nuances of recruitment relationships and brand-building in the medical industry.Joining me is a master of the craft, Kevin Kirkpatrick, whose journey from a call center recruiter to a sought-after name in medical and tech recruiting is nothing short of inspiring. Kevin shakes up conventional practices, emphasizing the importance of over-communication and the power of relationships—not just in recruitment but across all professional interactions.In this episode, “Mastering Recruitment Relationships with Kevin Kirkpatrick,” we explore Kevin's transition into the medical field, his strategies for nurturing long-term relationships, and how a mix of patience and expertise paved the way for his successful career shifts within healthcare.Kevin is also pulling back the cur…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where we bring the brightest minds and the boldest strategies right to your ears. In today's episode, titled "$0 to $2.5 Million in 2 years with Mike Williams," we have an incredible journey to unpack. Our guest, Mike Williams of Caribbean Search in Charlotte, North Carolina, sits down with our host Benjamin Mena, to reveal how he transformed his passion for recruiting into a multi-million dollar business.From cutting his teeth on cold calls at a call center to becoming a self-taught top biller with no training, Mike doesn't just talk about success—he's lived it. We dive deep into the ethos that drove him to leave a comfortable job and overcome the perils of entrepreneurship. Mike shares the strategies that led to his niche success in the manufacturing sector, the importance of selective recruiting, and his candid approach to building a company culture.Listeners, you're in for a treat as Mike also sheds light on how he juggles the d…

Are you struggling to level up your recruitment game despite years of experience? Discover the advanced techniques that can transform your process and results. In a high-stakes industry like recruiting, resting on your laurels is not an option. The landscape is evolving, with technology, market dynamics, and client expectations in constant flux. This episode delivers insightful strategies directly from the recruitment guru, Steve Finkel. Whether you are facing challenges in obtaining candidate r...