Episodes

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…

Welcome back to another enlightening episode of **The Elite Recruiter Podcast**! Today, we're diving deep into the world of recruiting with a special episode titled, "Grow, Build, and Scale Your Recruiting Firm," featuring our distinguished guest, Jonathan Bartos. Join host Benjamin Mena as he and Jonathan Bartos explore the evolving roles in the recruiting industry, emphasizing the critical importance of appointment setters and their contributions to professionalizing the sales process. Jonathan delves into his unique approach to understanding client needs and addressing gaps in hiring processes, offering valuable insights on delegating tasks, setting expectations, and the importance of coaching and continuous learning for both new and seasoned recruiters. In this episode, discover how the right metrics, tools, and business development activities can significantly boost your recruiting firm's effectiveness and revenue. Jonathan also shares practical tips on managing and training o…

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...

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...

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…

In this episode, Weston shares his tumultuous journey—from closing his first deal within two weeks of starting his business to enduring a grueling six months without any revenue. We'll uncover how he tackled self-doubt, mustered the perseverance to push through, and ultimately rose to success. As an active member of the staffing community on LinkedIn, Weston reveals how he turned a sour experience of being fired into the sweet victory of entrepreneurship. We'll also discuss the relentless drive required for winning in sales-driven industries like recruiting, the shock of low commission despite high earnings for a former employer, and Weston's grateful reflection on the layoff that catalyzed his business venture. Our conversation transitions to the tactical—how Weston leverages tools like Phone Burner to stay efficient, and how he's developing a system to streamline the recruiting process that listeners can soon test at perpetualautomated.com. From the influence of powerful books…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where we dive deep into the secrets of staffing sales with none other than Neil Lebovits, the founder of Boss, who joins us to unravel the challenge of mastering staffing sales without the hurdle of cash flow constraints. Today, we'll learn how Neil transitioned from a CPA to a powerhouse in the recruiting world, focusing on the transformative role of temp staffing in the industry. Get ready as Neil shares his unique back office staffing solutions, freeing you from financial burdens by handling payrolling and automating the process. Hosts Neil Lebovits and Benjamin Mena discuss strategies to stand out in the competitive recruiting business, leveraging technology, and tapping into multiple revenue streams to maximize your agency's potential. Neil advises on selling both permanent and temporary staffing solutions, crafting separate, temporary job order negotiations, and the importance of not compromising service quality fo…

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 ...

Mastering the Art of Recruiting with Steve Finkel - Part 1 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 Finke...

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast, I'm your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we've got an absolute treat for you. We’re diving into the art of crafting high-performance sales teams with the one and only Dean Kozora, who quite literally fell into sales and rose to become a master at building successful sales forces. In an industry riddled with high turnover and insufficient training, Dean brings a beacon of hope with his unique approach to recruitment, onboarding, and team culture. In this episode, we'll explore Dean’s emphasis on leveraging networks to attract top talent, the power of a dialed-in onboarding process, and why understanding problems before solving them can be a game-changer. Dean shares invaluable insights, including why front-loading work can lead to greater successes and how transparency in job expectations can filter out those less likely to excel. Prepare to delve into the influence of books like Simon Sinek's "The Infinite Game" on Dean's philosophy, the ro…

Are you a recruiter navigating the murky world of taxes, unsure how you can maximize your savings and invest smartly? Get the insider scoop on tax strategies that could revolutionize your finance game! Taxes can feel like a labyrinth, especially when your focus is on recruiting top talent and growing your business. Understanding the tax impact on your income, investments, and lifestyle is not just beneficial—it's essential. This episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast is your torch in the tax la...

Hello and welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, the show that’s all about arming you with cutting-edge strategies to elevate your recruiting game. I’m your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we have a very special guest, Bethany Stachenfeld, the CEO of Sendspark, joining us to discuss how recruiters can master the art of video personalization. In today’s digital age, standing out from the crowd is more important than ever, and Bethany is here to share the transformative tools and technologies that Sendspark offers. Imagine sending out hundreds of personalized videos with ease, addressing your prospects by name, and even integrating specific job titles or personal details—all this without creating multiple individual videos. Bethany will walk us through how Sendspark's technology leverages AI to create scalable, personalized video content, as well as how their platform enhances communication by overlaying videos onto public websites. We'll explore the practical a…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where we delve into the fast-paced world of recruitment and staffing. I'm your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we're thrilled to have Jason Bivins, president of Great Hire, join us to unravel the complexities of growing a successful staffing agency. In this episode, titled "Staffing Simplified: From the Kitchen Table to Inc. 5000 with Jason Bivins," we'll learn how Jason's serendipitous detour from the mortgage industry to recruiting led him to co-found a business that not only hit the Inc. 5000 list twice but also weathered the storm of the pandemic. Jason will reveal his journey from managing bank teams to starting his own staffing endeavor, the challenges along the way, and the pivotal role his friend and business partner played during their first year. We'll also uncover the nitty-gritty of business operations, from the significance of receivables partners to the simplicity of staffing industry entry, as well as the financial structu…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where today's recruiting experts arm you with the insights to elevate your game. I'm your host, Benjamin Mena, and in this episode, "The 3 Pillars of AI In Recruiting Edge," we're diving into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence with the CEO of Betterleep, Khaled Hussein. Fresh from the success of our recruiting growth summit, we're bringing the future to your doorstep. Khaled brings years of entrepreneurial skill and a deep understanding of AI's role in recruiting. We'll be unpacking the three pivotal waves of AI technology that are reshaping our industry—from recommendation systems to natural language sourcing and beyond. Discover how personalizing emails, leveraging follow-up features, and understanding unlimited contacts can amplify your productivity and refine your placements. Moreover, Khaled shares his path to success, starting in his family's entrepreneurial roots and leading into the tech world, bringing a human tou…

In this episode, we sit down with the remarkable Louise Archer, the founder of a leading retained search firm. She's here to peel back the curtain on the secrets of retained search and share with us how embracing this approach can transform your recruiting business. Louise will recount her personal journey in the recruiting world, a path seemingly destined by family ties, and will enlighten us on what retained search really means—a financial commitment from the client paving the way for a more substantial and discerning search process. We'll delve into why retained search isn't just for executive positions and how it can elevate the work of boutique agencies. She'll explain the significant impact of carrying out a retained search, detailing the stages of payment, the challenges of various models, and the undeniable benefits of forging deeper client and candidate relationships. Moreover, we'll touch upon the wisdom Louise has gained throughout her career: the value of being au…

Welcome back to another episode of "The Elite Recruiter Podcast." I’m your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we’re diving into a critical aspect of the recruiting industry – productivity. We are joined by a special guest, Brad Wolff, a seasoned recruiter with a background in accounting and sales, who has made his mark not just on the recruiting front but also as a coach and advisor to recruiting firms. Brad is here to share his insights on how to bolster recruiter productivity, take on the emotional rollercoaster of the industry, and stay focused despite constant distractions. From emotional resilience to the pitfalls of social media addiction, we’ll be exploring the strategies that keep top billers ahead of the game. Get ready to unpack the myths of constant accessibility, the impact of brain science on productivity, and the importance of developing powerful habits. Brad will give us a peek into adapting, learning, and renewing the processes that drive success in this ever-evolvin…