Have you ever wondered what it takes to land a job in GovTech or defense tech? In this season-opening episode of Recruiting is No Joke host Joel Lalgee sits down with Tommy Weinert, recruitment lead and founder of Mount Indie, a dynamic agency specializing in government and defense tech recruiting. Tommy shares his unique journey into the world of clearance jobs, focusing on recruiting top-tier engineering talent for roles that require security clearances. From his beginnings in audiovisuals to now leading a thriving recruitment agency, Tommy reflects on the importance of speaking up, seizing opportunities, and adapting in a fast-paced, competitive industry.

The conversation takes a deeper dive into the complexities of recruiting within a small, specialized candidate pool and how Mount Indie’s success stems from actively listening to clients and tailoring solutions. Tommy also opens up about the challenges of balancing confidence and imposter syndrome, emphasizing the value of taking risks for personal and career growth.

But that’s not all. The episode explores some hot-button topics in today’s professional landscape, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). The speakers examine the often-polarizing nature of DE&I discussions and how these conversations carry emotional weight in the workplace. They also touch on the appropriateness of sharing political views on LinkedIn, with a LinkedIn poll revealing that most respondents believe political discourse should be avoided on the platform. These reflections spark a larger conversation on maintaining professionalism while navigating sensitive topics in today’s digital world.

Additionally, Tommy and Joel offer valuable job-seeking advice, emphasizing the importance of applying directly through company websites rather than relying solely on LinkedIn. This strategic approach, they argue, can significantly enhance engagement with potential employers and improve a candidate’s chances of standing out in a crowded job market.

Tune in for a candid and insightful episode packed with actionable advice, career wisdom, and a fresh perspective on recruitment in a rapidly evolving world. Whether you’re a job seeker or an agency leader, this episode offers essential tips for navigating the complexities of today’s recruiting landscape.

In this episode:

(00:03) Introduction to the podcast

(00:36) Announcement of new format

(02:32) Guest introduction: Tommy Weinert

(03:00) Insight into clearance jobs

(04:03) Working with government contractors

(04:20) Tommy's journey into recruitment

(06:07) Imposter syndrome discussion

(08:52) Starting own recruitment agency

(10:11) Agency structure and growth

(12:02) Current events and TikTok discussion

(12:56) TikTok's ban and national security

(14:01) Tommy's experience with TikTok

(15:24) Mixed signals about TikTok

(17:39) Reflections on data security

(19:03) The impact of TikTok layoffs

(19:36) Reactions to LinkedIn controversy

(20:51) The risks of platform dependency

(22:24) The need for content creation skills

(24:11) Federal workers returning to office

(25:12) Remote work trends post-COVID

(26:24) Conflicting views on office return

(27:09) Speculation on workforce reduction

(28:14) Federal employee remote work statistics

(29:19) Predictions for candidate pool chaos

(29:53) DE&I polarization

(31:42) Emotional nature of D&I

(33:59) LinkedIn poll on politics

(35:31) Impact of political discussions

(36:27) Nuance in political conversations

(40:45) Job-seeking strategies

(42:41) Recruitment system disconnect

About Tommy Weinert

Tommy Weinert is the founder and president of Mount Indie, specializing in national security recruitment since 2008. His unique approach to recruiting focuses on aligning strategies with a company's goals, creatively enhancing talent, and streamlining processes. He also founded ShadowLabs, training recruiters in the cleared space. Tommy is a recognized expert, serving on the Advisory Panel for ClearanceJobs and speaking at key industry events like Sourcecon and Talent42.

About Joel Lalgee 

Joel Lalgee is an internationally known recruitment leader and coach who has helped thousands of recruiters build their brands online. In 2015, Joel started recruiting for a small start-up agency in Milwaukee. He quickly found his passion for recruitment. In 2019, he discovered content marketing, publishing his first posts on Linkedin. Since then, he has grown to over 400k followers, and his content has been seen over 1 billion times. In 2023, he started a business specializing in coaching recruiters, marketing consulting, and influencer partnerships.

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