Digital Recruiter Podcast

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark welcomes Debi Wolfe, a seasoned veteran in the recruiting world with a unique journey from laboratory sales to founding her own company, Imagine More Group. Debi brings a wealth of experience, having worked with major firms like K-Force and Hayes, and even selling a staffing company she built from the ground up.

Clark and Debi dive deep into the evolution of recruiting from the 1990s to the present day, contrasting the old-school methods of faxing resumes and newspaper ads with today’s fast-paced digital tools. They discuss the importance of blending traditional relationship-building with modern technology, sharing valuable insights into how recruiters can thrive in today's competitive landscape.

Debi’s story is fascinating; she initially entered recruiting by chance, leveraging her science background to place scientists in niche roles at a time when this was almost unheard of. She talks about the challenges of pioneering contract placements in scientific fields, the growth and eventual sale of her company, and her subsequent role at K-Force, where she led the expansion of their scientific division to 22 locations nationwide. Her passion for leadership and team-building is evident as she shares how her scientific approach to process optimization helped her teams succeed.

Clark and Debi also explore leadership, culture change, and the crucial role of a strong internal team, especially in back-office support, which is often overlooked but essential to a company’s success. They wrap up by discussing Debi’s latest venture, Imagine More Group, where she now consults on organizational design, executive coaching, and interim leadership, using her decades of experience to help companies navigate growth and change.

Debi’s Bio

As a three-time entrepreneur and seasoned C-suite executive, she understands the unique pressures and complexities of leadership. With over 25 years of experience, she has successfully started, built, modernized, transformed, scaled, and optimized businesses and functions across various industries. Her strength lies in being a visionary growth leader who knows how to drive results through people and teams.

Throughout her career, she has consistently navigated complex challenges and seized emerging opportunities. As the founder and CEO of Science Solutions, she built a regional scientific staffing company that was later acquired by a major publicly traded firm, forming the foundation for a new division. As Division President, she executed aggressive growth strategies that transformed the business into a nationally recognized leader. Her leadership also played a key role in guiding successful acquisitions and strategic divestitures.

In her role as Chief People Officer for a London-based global professional services firm, she integrated a privately-owned business into a larger organization post-acquisition and built a transformative People & Culture department from the ground up, supporting the company's exponential growth.

Beyond her professional achievements, she is deeply committed to philanthropy, serving on advisory boards and engaging in community service projects focused on orphan care, foster care, healthcare, and education.

Having experienced the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and executive leadership, she now shares her expertise through the Imagine More Group, where she works as an advisor, consultant, and coach, helping other leaders navigate their own journeys.

You can find Debi on LinkedIn or check out  https://www.imaginemoregroup.com  

For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter  

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark sits down with Nick, the co-founder of JL Recruitment Group, to dive into the real-life challenges and successes of building a recruiting agency from the ground up. Nick shares his journey from working in accounting at PwC to making the jump into IT sales and recruiting. After finding his footing in the recruiting world, Nick and his longtime friend, Brian, decided to venture out on their own and start their own firm, JL Recruitment Group, focusing on accounting and finance roles.

Nick talks about the unexpected complexities of recruitment, which he initially thought would be as simple as matching candidates with jobs. He reflects on his early days in recruiting, facing rejection after rejection, and how that experience shaped his approach to building relationships with clients and candidates. 

Clark and Nick also discuss the strategies that helped JL Recruitment Group navigate the often harsh reality of starting an agency. This led to them joining the Digital Recruiter program and working directly with Clark on the importance of refining client outreach, creating compelling content, and leveraging automation to streamline their processes. This has helped them significantly in building a robust client and candidate pipeline, over 5x’d their investment in 6 months and keep building on that number.

Listeners will get a glimpse into Nick’s personal growth and the lessons he’s learned along the way, from embracing new technologies to finding creative ways to engage both clients and candidates. The conversation also touches on the resilience needed to persevere through the ups and downs of agency life, and how Nick and his partner, Brian, continuously adapt their strategies to stay competitive in the recruiting landscape.

 Nick works with top talent in accounting and finance to help professionals find new opportunities in the job market.

Starting his career at PwC and then moving into a sales leadership role, recruiting became a natural evolution for Nick, blending all his experience. He understands that accounting and finance candidates are often approached by recruiters who do not fully grasp their motivation for seeking their next career challenge. With an extensive network in the field, Nick stays informed and helps match the right firm with the right candidate.

Nick's paramount focus is to remove as much friction in the hiring process as possible. This includes handling:

• Sourcing

By managing all the details, clients can concentrate on their core business. Nick has a vast network of employers and professionals and is dedicated to providing the best possible service.

Whether someone is looking to fill an important accounting or finance role or wants to take the next step in their career, Nick is here to help. He works directly with clients to perform needs analysis, discuss required skills, and agree on positions, engagements, goals, and more.

You can find Nick on LinkedIn or check out https://www.linkedin.com/company/jlrecruitmentgroup/  

For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter  

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark talks to Brandon Glyck, the CEO of Quantum Search Partners, a rapidly growing recruiting firm recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for the last 3 years. 

The conversation dives deep into Brandon's unique journey into the recruiting industry, starting from his days as a college football player at Princeton. After a career-ending injury, Brandon began working at his father’s one-man recruiting shop, where he quickly learned the ropes and started making placements. His story is marked by resilience, especially during challenging times like the 2008 financial crisis when the business was at risk due to the collapse of their main client, AIG.

Brandon shares how he transitioned from being a young, cold-calling rookie to a seasoned professional who has successfully expanded his family's business into a thriving agency. He reflects on the differences between recruiting during the pre-LinkedIn era and today's more digitally connected world. Despite these changes, Brandon emphasizes the enduring importance of building and maintaining genuine relationships with clients and candidates—what he calls the "compound interest" of recruiting.

Throughout the discussion, Brandon and Clark touch on the evolution of recruiting practices, the impact of technology and AI, and the vital role of content marketing in modern business development. Brandon is a driven and strategic thinker, someone who has continuously adapted to changes in the industry while remaining grounded in the fundamental principles of relationship-building. His story is a testament to the power of persistence, adaptability, and the human touch in an increasingly automated world.

Brandon’s Bio

Creative, driven, and competitive leader that is willing to go above and beyond for clients, candidates, and team members. Passionate about affecting the future success and bottom line growth of our clients by connecting them with industry leading and impactful talent and leadership.

Former college athlete (football) and graduate of Princeton University with a major in Psychology.

Outside of Quantum, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and have personal interests in fitness, performance psychology, travel, and start-up investing.

You can find Brandon on LinkedIn or check out  https://www.quantumsearchpartners.com/  

For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter  

Episode Summary

In this episode, Clark connects with Adrian Dominguez, CEO of ROLINC Staffing and Speaker of the House at Colorado Staffing Association. Adrian's journey is fascinating - from coffee farming roots in Puerto Rico to building a thriving staffing agency in Colorado, while also founding and leading a growing church. Adrian shares how he fell into recruiting back in 2009, during a tough economic time. With no prior experience, he dove in headfirst, learning the ropes of manufacturing and trades staffing.

 His willingness to make mistakes, ask questions, and put in the work led him to become a top producer within two years. The conversation covers Adrian's approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of empowering team members and fostering authentic relationships. He discusses how he balances running a business, leading a ministry, and raising six kids - crediting his faith and the support of great people around him. 

Adrian and Clark dive into the value of authenticity in business and online presence. They explore how genuine human connections can set you apart in an increasingly digital world. Adrian shares his perspective on building a positive company culture and the benefits of allowing employees to be brand ambassadors. The episode also touches on work-life balance, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of having a strong personal foundation.

Adrian offers wisdom for those starting in recruiting, emphasizing consistency, authenticity, and not rushing the process. Throughout the conversation, Adrian's passion for serving others and his commitment to living out his values in both business and ministry shine through. It's an inspiring discussion about building a meaningful career while staying true to your principles.

Adrian’s Bio

After experiencing the adventure of a lifetime in the Gran Chaco Desert of Bolivia, he found himself seeking ways to apply his passion for connecting individuals with opportunities that better their lives. Through a great friend, he stumbled into the world of "Process Improvement for Manufacturing". He taught manufacturing teams how to take data they were already collecting and decipher it to read their "shop floor story". His goal was to show them how they could identify process improvements and enhance quality. From this experience, he learned that regardless of having the right processes in place, without the right people in the right positions, moving in the right direction becomes impossible.

This realization led him in 2009 to ROLINC Staffing, where he launched a new niche - recruiting for "Skilled Trades in Manufacturing". Shortly after starting, when his wife asked about his thoughts on the industry switch, he responded, "Either I have made the biggest mistake of my life OR...this will be wildly successful!" Fortunately, it proved to be the latter.

He wakes up excited every day to meet with clients, listen to their stories, learn about their challenges, and overcome these challenges through creative planning. He and his team focus on connecting the right people with the right organizations based on what is best for all parties involved. To meet market demand, his role expanded to include training and preparing the "next gen" of problem-solving recruiters.

In July 2021, he was given the opportunity to finalize the purchase of ROLINC Staffing from the founder and leader, Bob Bidwell. He feels humbled to have the chance to help the company grow to the next level.

Outside of work, he can be found riding horses, hiking, running, working on his farm (alfalfa, chickens, livestock, etc.), and involving himself in the Aurora/Denver community, including pastoring a church which is like his second family. "Play hard or go home" is his life's theme.

You can find Adrian on LinkedIn or check out     Meet Our Team - ROLINC Staffing LLC  

For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter  

Episode Summary

In this episode, Clark chats with Bryan Wilson, a tech entrepreneur with deep roots in the recruiting industry. Bryan's journey is pretty fascinating - he started washing windows after high school before stumbling into recruiting through his brother-in-law. 

Bryan shares some great stories from the early days of his recruiting career in the late 90s, including the wild west days of the dot-com boom. He and Clark dig into the ups and downs of running a recruiting agency, including Bryan's experiences trying to find the right niche after the bubble burst.

The conversation then shifts to Bryan's transition into the software side of recruiting. He talks about his time at JobAdder and how that led him to found Parsley, a Chrome extension that bridges the gap between LinkedIn and applicant tracking systems. Bryan breaks down how Parsley works and why it's a game-changer for recruiters at only $15 a month.

They also discuss StaffUpApp, another company Bryan's involved with that provides mobile staffing solutions for smaller agencies to compete with the big players. Throughout the chat, Bryan offers insights on entrepreneurship, the challenges of building software for recruiters, and how technology is changing the staffing industry.

What's cool about Bryan is he's been on both sides - as a recruiter and now building tech for recruiters. He brings that hands-on experience to his products, focusing on solving real problems he experienced firsthand. It's a great listen for anyone interested in the intersection of recruiting and technology, or for recruiters looking to up their game with some new tools.

Bryan’s Bio

25 Years of experience in the Staffing & Staffing Software Industry. Track record of building two separate staffing platforms (cBizSoft & JobAdder) to 500+ clients over a 5 year period. Experience leading successful sales teams and regional operations of 25+ people directly.  

You can find Bryan on LinkedIn or check out  https://www.getparsley.net/  

For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter  

Episode Summary

In this deeply personal and inspiring conversation, Clark sits down with Pete Tomasko, a successful recruiter with an extraordinary life story. Pete opens up about his journey from a traumatic childhood to a decade of homelessness and addiction, and his eventual path to recovery and reconciliation.

Pete shares the heart-wrenching details of losing his mother at a young age and the cascade of events that led him to abandon his family and disappear for ten years. He provides a raw, unflinching look at life on the streets, including his struggles with substance abuse and the daily fight for survival.

The conversation takes an emotional turn as Pete recounts the moment he reconnected with his daughter after a decade of absence. His daughter's unexpected forgiveness becomes a turning point in Pete's life, leading to healing and the rebuilding of their relationship.

Clark and Pete discuss the power of forgiveness, the importance of family, and the possibility of redemption no matter how dire the circumstances. Pete's story serves as a testament to human resilience and the transformative power of love and second chances.

Throughout the episode, Pete's honesty and vulnerability shine through as he reflects on his past mistakes and the lessons he's learned. His journey from homelessness to becoming a successful recruiter and supportive father and grandfather is both heartbreaking and deeply inspiring.

This episode offers listeners a powerful reminder that it's never too late to turn your life around and that forgiveness can be a catalyst for profound personal growth and healing.

Pete’s Bio

As the Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) of Titan Placement Group, he is dedicated to transforming the healthcare industry through strategic talent acquisition and mental health advocacy. His mission is to bridge the gap between high-quality talent and federal mental health and behavioral health organizations that need them.

From experiencing homelessness for 10 years to founding a successful recruitment firm, his journey is a testament to perseverance and the power of human connections. This personal history fuels his passion for empowering others and fostering an inclusive, supportive work ethos.

You can find Pete on LinkedIn or check out  https://titanplacementgroup.com/why-us%3F  

For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter  

Episode Summary

In this episode, Clark sits down with Pete Tomasko, co-founder of Titan Placement Group, they discuss about the realities of recruiting and starting your own agency. Pete shares his journey from seasoned recruiter to entrepreneur, detailing how he and his partners launched Titan after carefully planning during a 6-month non-compete period.

Pete offers valuable insights into their methodical approach to client acquisition, emphasizing the importance of niche focus and building genuine relationships. He discusses Titan's specialization in healthcare recruiting, particularly for federally qualified health centers and mental health roles.

The conversation dives into practical tips for new recruiters, with Pete highlighting the critical "6-week window" where many want to quit, and the importance of perseverance. He shares Titan's structured approach to client calls, using an intake form to stand out from the competition.

Throughout the episode, Pete's passion for ethical, relationship-driven recruiting shines through. His story showcases the power of experience, strategic planning, and consistent effort in building a successful recruiting firm. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the industry, Pete's insights offer valuable lessons on navigating the challenges and opportunities in the world of recruiting.

Pete’s Bio

As the Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) of Titan Placement Group, he is dedicated to transforming the healthcare industry through strategic talent acquisition and mental health advocacy. His mission is to bridge the gap between high-quality talent and federal mental health and behavioral health organizations that need them.

From experiencing homelessness for 10 years to founding a successful recruitment firm, his journey is a testament to perseverance and the power of human connections. This personal history fuels his passion for empowering others and fostering an inclusive, supportive work ethos.

You can find Pete on LinkedIn or check out  https://titanplacementgroup.com/why-us%3F  

For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter  

Episode Summary

In this episode, Clark sits down with Walker Freeman, Founder of CRO strategies, a rapidly growing agency in the clinical research recruiting world. Walker's journey is a testament to what can happen when industry expertise meets the Digital Recruiter.

In March of 2023 Walker was working full-time in clinical research with no recruiting experience. Fast forward to today, he’s on track to clear 7 figures from all his recruiting efforts and revenue streams CRO has built out. 

A key turning point for Walker was joining Clark's Digital Recruiter program. He discusses how this helped him systemize his approach to business development and candidate sourcing, allowing him to scale rapidly while still working his day job.

Walker shares how he leveraged his insider knowledge of the clinical research industry to build a successful recruiting business from scratch. He talks about the challenges of starting out, including setting initial rates way too low (we're talking 6%!), and how he learned to raise those rates through working with Clark

Walker's story isn't just about recruiting. He explains how he's expanded into other services like trial matching for research sites and even brokering deals with private equity firms. It's a great example of how understanding an industry deeply can open up multiple revenue streams.

Both of them discuss the importance of networking, providing value, and being willing to think creatively about deal structures. His approach of prioritizing long-term relationships over short-term gains has clearly paid off.

From zero experience to over half a million in revenue in his first year, Walker's story is inspiring for anyone looking to start their own recruiting business or pivot into a new industry.

Walker’s Bio

At CRO Strategies, we specialize in navigating the intricate landscape of clinical research, serving as a full-service consulting agency dedicated to streamlining the process for Pharma, CROs, and Research Sites. Our mission is to facilitate connections and expedite trial discovery, offering tailored solutions to match the unique needs of each client.

With expertise in identifying trials and forging valuable partnerships, we empower Research Sites by connecting them directly with Sponsors, bypassing the traditionally arduous business development phase. Our approach is driven by efficiency, enabling research sites to focus on what matters most – advancing medical science.

Moreover, we are deeply integrated within the realm of private equity, providing a strategic exit strategy for research sites seeking growth and sustainability. By leveraging our extensive network and industry insights, we pave the way for seamless transitions and prosperous outcomes.

Join us in revolutionizing the clinical research landscape, where every connection brings us closer to groundbreaking discoveries and improved patient outcomes.

You can find Walker on LinkedIn or check out  https://crostrategies.com/  

For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter  

Episode Summary

In this episode, Clark sits down with Jay Johnston, founder of Elite Tech Sales, for an insightful chat about breaking into tech sales and navigating the job search process. Jay shares his journey from graduating with a general studies degree to landing a role at Dell EMC after a grueling six-month job hunt. He discusses how this experience inspired him to help others land great tech sales roles.

Jay offers practical advice on networking, leveraging LinkedIn, and standing out in the application process. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity, empathy, and following up with contacts. Jay also talks about his transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and how he's grown Elite Tech Sales through consistent content creation and value-driven marketing.

The conversation touches on personal development, with Jay sharing insights from leadership seminars and copywriting courses he's invested in. He discusses how these experiences have shaped his mindset and business approach.

Throughout the episode, Jay comes across as passionate about helping job seekers, with a focus on providing practical, actionable advice. His background in tech sales at Dell, rapid career progression, and transition to entrepreneurship give him a unique perspective on the industry.

This episode is packed with valuable tips for job seekers, especially those aiming for tech sales roles, as well as recruiters looking to add value to their candidates. Jay's story of building Elite Tech Sales and his approach to personal and professional growth make for an engaging and informative listen.

Jay’s Bio

Early in his career, he hit the jackpot, advancing 4 roles in 2.5 years while learning what it takes to build predictable systems to land sales jobs one may (even be) a little unqualified for and crush it in those roles. His mission is to help 10,000 ambitious professionals sell themselves into their dream jobs and have a career they are PASSIONATE about. He helps sellers remove themselves from stagnant careers and start growing on autopilot where they work for GREAT companies with GREAT products. He's the founder of Elite Tech Sales.

You can find Jay on LinkedIn or check out  https://www.elitetechsales.com/  

For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter  

Episode Summary

In this engaging conversation, Clark sits down with the legendary Benjamin Mena, a seasoned recruiter, entrepreneur, and host of the mega popular Elite Recruiter podcast. Benjamin shares his inspiring journey, starting from the days when he was nearly fired from his first recruiting job to becoming a successful agency owner and influential voice in the industry.

The two delve into Benjamin's origins, recounting how he persevered through early setbacks by seeking mentorship from top-performing peers and adapting his approach to better understand and serve candidates and clients. His relentless drive and willingness to learn propelled him forward, ultimately leading him to establish his own thriving recruitment business.

Throughout the episode, Benjamin and Clark exchange valuable insights on various aspects of recruiting, including the importance of finding and committing to a niche, leveraging content and social media to build a strong personal brand, and the role of accountability in achieving sustained success.

They also discuss Benjamin's brainchild, the Recruiter Growth Summit, a virtual event he launched in March 2023 that attracted over 600 attendees and provided a platform for recruiters to learn and grow. Inspired by the summit's impact, Benjamin plans to host a second edition in September 2024, themed around finishing the year strong and setting the stage for a successful 2025.

With his contagious enthusiasm and wealth of experience, Benjamin emphasizes the power of goal-setting, curating a positive mindset, and surrounding oneself with the right influences to navigate the ever-changing recruiting landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this conversation offers practical strategies and a dose of motivation to help you elevate your recruiting game.

Benjamin’s Bio

Benjamin founded Select Source Solutions after an almost 15 year career working in recruiting for some of the top defense contractors and government agencies. He has supported contracts over 600 million dollars and led recruiting efforts for some of the most complex and challenging government programs. 

You can find Benjamin on LinkedIn or check out  https://www.eliterecruiterpodcast.com/  or https://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/about-us

For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter