Hey there, and happy Thanksgiving week! I’m so grateful you’re here, and I can’t wait to dive into today’s episode. With just a few weeks left in the year, now is the perfect time to take a step back, reflect on what’s been working, and fine-tune your business development strategies for 2025. In this episode, I’m sharing six key insights I’ve seen recruiters consistently overlook when building their pipeline—and how you can avoid those same mistakes. These are the things I hear time and time again from coaching sessions, webinars, and my own recruiting team, so trust me, they’re worth paying attention to.

We’ll talk about everything from using the "bullseye method" to focus on those closest to your network to why perfection is overrated when it comes to pitching. I’ll also share my thoughts on the power of authentic follow-ups, being consistent with outreach, and leveraging automation tools in a way that still feels personal. Whether you’re spending your holiday weekend catching up on work or just enjoying some downtime, this episode will help you take actionable steps to strengthen your business development efforts before the new year.

So grab a cup of coffee, a notebook, or just tune in while you're relaxing this week—I promise this episode is packed with tips to help you hit the ground running in 2025. Thank you for listening, and I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving surrounded by family, friends, and maybe a little football.

Sharon

More episodes at SharonBondurant.com.

Are you an agency recruiter that is seeking more freedom, time, and money? Consider joining my brokerage model: https://www.the-finders.com/about-talent-acquisition/join-our-team/

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Connect on Instagram @sharonbondurant_ig
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Website: www.sharonbondurant.com
Website: www.the-finders.com

In this episode, I sit down with public relations expert Nicole Myden to discuss the importance of PR for small businesses and recruiters. Nicole is the author of "You Are Worthy of Publicity," and shares her journey from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood PR to empowering small business owners in Arizona.

Nicole really gets it - she knows we sometimes struggle with imposter syndrome and don't think we're "big enough" for media attention. But she says we're all worthy of publicity, and I totally agree!  She gave us some awesome tips on building relationships with local media, like figuring out those 3 to 5 things we really want to talk about and creating a media kit that's basically our resume for reporters.

We talk about the importance of building genuine relationships with local media, understanding their needs, and positioning oneself as a trusted resource. 

Nicole also stresses the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in storytelling, urging small business owners to embrace their unique narratives. She provides practical tips for connecting with journalists, including leveraging social media for engagement and offering value through expertise.

She talks about starting small, focusing on key messages, and gradually expanding your PR efforts. There are lots of great tips to avoid being overwhelmed during this process!

If you want to get your name out there in 2025, you need to listen to this episode.

Sharon

Links to Nicole Myden

NicoleMyden.com

Her book, "You Are Worthy of Publicity" on Amazon.com

Nicole Myden on LinkedIn

Are you an agency recruiter that is seeking more freedom, time, and money? Consider joining my brokerage model: https://www.the-finders.com/about-talent-acquisition/join-our-team/

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Connect on Instagram @sharonbondurant_ig
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Website: www.sharonbondurant.com
Website: www.the-finders.com

In this episode, I dive into three actionable strategies you can implement right now to boost your billings over the next 90 days. And no, we’re not talking about setting your 2025 goals just yet—this is about making the most of the year-end period, especially with how challenging 2024 has been for many of us in the recruitment industry.

I encourage you to take a hard look back at your performance throughout the year. It’s time to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and where you may have been wasting time or money. Whether it’s re-evaluating tools you’re subscribed to or rethinking your niche focus, this introspection can uncover quick wins and help you streamline your efforts as you head into the new year.

I also discuss the importance of knowing your key ratios—like your send-out to placement ratio. By analyzing these numbers from 2024, you’ll gain insights into where your efforts are paying off and where adjustments are needed. 

If you’re ready to finish strong and set yourself up for a stellar 2025, tune in and take these steps with me. Plus, if you’re a recruiter looking for a new challenge or considering starting your own practice, I share an exciting update on The Finders’ new brokerage model. Let’s maximize these last few months together!

Sharon

More episodes at SharonBondurant.com.

Are you an agency recruiter that is seeking more freedom, time, and money? Consider joining my brokerage model: https://www.the-finders.com/about-talent-acquisition/join-our-team/

Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/the-finders/sign-up

Connect on Instagram @sharonbondurant_ig
Connect with me on Linkedin linkedin.com/in/sharonbondurant
Website: www.sharonbondurant.com
Website: www.the-finders.com

Hey everyone! I’m so excited to dive into this episode where I’m sharing five unique ways to maximize LinkedIn’s potential and take your recruiting game to the next level. We all know LinkedIn is the go-to for recruiters, whether it’s connecting with candidates, building relationships with clients, or growing our professional network. But are you really tapping into everything LinkedIn has to offer? This episode is all about stepping up your presence on the platform—doing those extra tweaks and making simple updates that can make you more memorable and, ultimately, more effective.

We’ll go over some often overlooked features that can give your profile that edge, like my favorite tip for changing how your name displays, using emojis, or adding something that showcases who you are or what you specialize in. I even walk you through some easy branding ideas for your LinkedIn banner and why checking out how others set up their profiles can spark fresh ideas for your own. If you’re like me, constantly juggling your recruiting workload, these tips are straightforward enough to fit into even the busiest schedule.

So, whether you’re a LinkedIn pro or just starting to polish up your profile, there’s something here for you. Make sure to try out a couple of these changes, and let me know how it goes! Small adjustments can create big opportunities, and I can’t wait to hear how you’re using LinkedIn to open new doors.

Thanks for listening!

Sharon

Sharon Bondurant.com | Sharon Bondurant LinkedIn Page

Are you an agency recruiter that is seeking more freedom, time, and money? Consider joining my brokerage model: https://www.the-finders.com/about-talent-acquisition/join-our-team/

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Connect on Instagram @sharonbondurant_ig
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Website: www.sharonbondurant.com
Website: www.the-finders.com

Scaling to an 8-Figure Business with a Recurring Revenue Model

In this episode, the discussion revolves around the importance of scaling and implementing a recurring revenue model to build an 8-figure business! Diane Prince and I talk about a lot.

We dive into the importance of not just working hard, but working strategically. Diane talks about the importance of a recurring revenue model — it’s what helps turn your business into a sustainable asset, rather than just a job you’ve created for yourself. Diane’s insight on this is invaluable, especially for those of you aiming to scale and eventually step back from the daily grind.

We also touch on how your business goals will evolve over time. She emphasized the need for entrepreneurs to stay flexible and revisit their vision regularly. And as your business grows, so should your approach. It’s not just about reaching a milestone, but about being adaptable and continuing to align your actions with your long-term aspirations.

I hope that you find some value in the wisdom shared by Diane in this episode! It was a great time and an inspiring story.

Sharon

Find more at Diane's website here.

Are you an agency recruiter that is seeking more freedom, time, and money? Consider joining my brokerage model: https://www.the-finders.com/about-talent-acquisition/join-our-team/

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Connect on Instagram @sharonbondurant_ig
Connect with me on Linkedin linkedin.com/in/sharonbondurant
Website: www.sharonbondurant.com
Website: www.the-finders.com

In this episode I have the pleasure to speak with Mary Fain-Brandt - a LinkedIn Brand Consultant and coach. For over two decades, Mary Fain Brandt has been rocking the training and facilitation world, amassing experience that's as impressive as her achievements. With over 500 clients under her belt, Mary's ability to transform LinkedIn profiles from boring to bada$$  is unmatched, making her a sought-after authority on all things LinkedIn.

Mary's track record speaks volumes—she turns LinkedIn profiles into opportunity-generating powerhouses. From career advancements and client acquisitions to landing speaking engagements and recruiting top talent, Mary knows how to make LinkedIn work for you. But she's not just about LinkedIn; as a certified AI consultant, Mary dives deep into the magic of artificial intelligence, offering cutting-edge insights and strategies to help her clients stay ahead of the curve.

We talk about the importance of maintaining human connection even with the incredible capabilities of AI, and talk about several tools that you MUST have to help you build your recruiting business!

Mary is also a co-host of the Scale-Up Strategies Podcast and a sought-after speaker for summits, conferences, and mastermind groups. She has an upcoming webinar called Goal Getter: Kick Procrastination and Skyrocket Your Success that you can register for below.

 

Links to Mary Fain Brandt

LinkedIn Page | Facebook | MasterItWithMary.com | Instagram

Links to AI tools mentioned in the show:

ClickUp.com - The everything app for work.

Gamma.app - Presentations, documents, and websites using AI.

Beautiful.ai - Presentation maker

NotebookLM - AI Research Assistant

HireVue.com - An AI Hiring Platform

Fetcher.ai - Candidate Sourcing Tool

XOR.ai - AI Hiring Platform

 

Are you an agency recruiter that is seeking more freedom, time, and money? Consider joining my brokerage model: https://www.the-finders.com/about-talent-acquisition/join-our-team/

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Connect on Instagram @sharonbondurant_ig
Connect with me on Linkedin linkedin.com/in/sharonbondurant
Website: www.sharonbondurant.com
Website: www.the-finders.com

In this episode I chat with Joel Lalgee, a Midwest-based recruiter and social media expert who's made a huge impact online in the recruitment world. Joel shares his journey - from starting out in recruitment with no prior experience, to building a social media presence that now spans platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram.

His key takeaway? Consistency with improvement is crucial. Whether it’s recruiting or creating content, Joel emphasizes the importance of showing up regularly, learning from your actions, and continuously improving. I love his message on how consistent effort, even when it's tough, leads to success over time.

Joel also dives into his content creation strategy. He talks about how his initial efforts, finding a passion for it, and how that helped him build momentum. Joel now uses social media not only for client acquisition but also for monetization, offering advice and insights to help others do the same. His journey shows how building a brand takes time, but if you stick with it and adapt, the results will come.

I appreciate Joel’s humor and authenticity. We also discuss the importance of staying true to yourself in content creation.  Joel’s journey is such an inspiration for recruiters looking to carve out their own niche and leverage social media to grow their business!

Enjoy,

Sharon

Links to Joel Lalgee and The Realest Recruiter!

Joel Lalgee LinkedIn | TheRealestRecruiter.com

The Realest Recruiter Podcast | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Are you an agency recruiter that is seeking more freedom, time, and money? Consider joining my brokerage model: https://www.the-finders.com/about-talent-acquisition/join-our-team/

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Connect on Instagram @sharonbondurant_ig
Connect with me on Linkedin linkedin.com/in/sharonbondurant
Website: www.sharonbondurant.com
Website: www.the-finders.com

I am really excited for you to hear this conversation with Benjamin Mena. Benjamin started his recruiting career after graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Economics. For the first 15 years of his professional career he supported large defense contracts, leading hiring efforts for some of the nation’s most complex and challenging government programs.

In his spare time Benjamin can be found running or traveling to new wine regions and hosting The Elite Recruiter Podcast.

Benjamin recently hosted his Recruiter Summit and we discuss this truly amazing event which had over 1,200 recruiters listening in virtually over an entire week. He was online all week long and brought in 30 speakers that taught on a variety of topics. It was really great.

We talk about building this "accidental brand" that he has done through his podcast, with his summits, and with his recruiting firm. We talk about what it takes to start a podcast and also how to execute on your big, crazy ideas. Most of the stuff that Ben's done has been as a result of creating a plan and immediately executing on it.

We'll talk about what he's learned over time and the consistency he puts into things that create results. We had a great conversation and I think you'll really get a lot of value out of it!

Sharon

LInks for Benjamin Mena

Benjamin's LinkedIn Page | Benjamin's Elite Recruiter Podcast

Recruiter Summit Webpage

Are you an agency recruiter that is seeking more freedom, time, and money? Consider joining my brokerage model: https://www.the-finders.com/about-talent-acquisition/join-our-team/

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Connect on Instagram @sharonbondurant_ig
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Website: www.sharonbondurant.com
Website: www.the-finders.com

Hey, fellow recruiters! This week we’re diving into a topic that I think a lot of us shy away from — making sales fun again. I know for many agency recruiters, the thought of business development or sales can feel intimidating. It’s often met with resistance, especially when we feel like "sales" isn't part of our identity as recruiters. But here's the thing — you’re already selling every day.

When you're advocating for your candidates, you're using the same skills that can help you succeed on the client side. In this episode, I share my personal journey of overcoming shyness and learning how to embrace the sales aspect of recruiting, and I encourage you to do the same.

If you've been quick to label yourself as "not a salesperson," it's time to rethink that. By honing your business development skills, not only can you double or triple your income, but you can also build long-lasting client relationships that will support your career for years to come.

I break down some of the common fears around sales — whether it’s fear of rejection or simply not knowing where to start — and offer practical advice on how to push through those barriers. Trust me, getting uncomfortable is part of the process, but the rewards are huge. So, whether you're taking a walk, driving, or sitting at your desk, take a moment to reflect: what's really holding you back from diving into business development, and how can you make it fun?

Let’s make sales less daunting, and more about connecting authentically with others.

Sharon

SharonBondurant.com

Are you an agency recruiter that is seeking more freedom, time, and money? Consider joining my brokerage model: https://www.the-finders.com/about-talent-acquisition/join-our-team/

Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/the-finders/sign-up

Connect on Instagram @sharonbondurant_ig
Connect with me on Linkedin linkedin.com/in/sharonbondurant
Website: www.sharonbondurant.com
Website: www.the-finders.com

Hey everyone, today I want to dive into something that’s been on my mind: the balance between being proactive and reactive in our daily recruiting work. We all know recruiting is a fast-paced, unpredictable business, and often, we thrive on that reactive energy. Whether it’s jumping into a new search or troubleshooting with a client, being reactive feels natural and rewarding.

But here’s the thing—I’ve realized that if we’re constantly reacting, we can easily lose sight of the proactive things that can truly set us up for long-term success. So today, I break down the top three strategies that have helped me create more proactive space in my schedule: blocking out time for new business development, dedicating time for planning, and learning new skills. These habits can shift how we manage our time and ultimately elevate our performance.

I also touch on some practical tools like creating templates and automating tasks to make our daily operations smoother and more efficient. Finally, I share tips on delegating, a key move if you want to focus on higher-value tasks. So take a moment this week to evaluate where you're being proactive versus reactive and let me know how it goes!

Sharon

SharonBondurant.com

Links to the Recruiter Growth Summit (mentioned in the podcast)

Are you an agency recruiter that is seeking more freedom, time, and money? Consider joining my brokerage model: https://www.the-finders.com/about-talent-acquisition/join-our-team/

Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/the-finders/sign-up

Connect on Instagram @sharonbondurant_ig
Connect with me on Linkedin linkedin.com/in/sharonbondurant
Website: www.sharonbondurant.com
Website: www.the-finders.com