Talent Hunters

In most industries, you either occupy the supply side or the demand side of the equation. Recruiters don't.

We're the tip of the spear on two sides and equally responsible to the hiring authorities and the talent. Fail to keep both sides sharp and focus too heavily on one side? We won't be able to efficiently and predictably connect talented individuals to great organizations.

Doing this job well is about balancing this bilateral responsibility, seeing beyond one placement, and investing in bringing value to both the clients and the candidates.

How do we give both sides equal attention, consistency and investment? Why is the phone still so important in this business? How do you make a plan for success?

In this episode, we're joined by high performance leadership coach, professional speaker, high school football coach and CEO of Q Works Group, Michael Clegg. He shares what recruiters have to do to have lasting success in this business.

Guest Bio

Michael Clegg is a high performance leadership coach, professional speaker, high school football coach and CEO of Q Works Group. Known for his "Leaders Go First" philosophy, he leverages 20+ years of guiding diverse organizations through keynotes, workshops, and coaching, from coaching C-suite executives to mentoring high school football teams as a wide receiver coach. Clegg transforms leaders and teams into champions by building culture, connection, and trust. Clegg innovated a unique framework called Leadership , unlocking and multiplying potential, leading to psychological safety, engagement, and retention. He knows that you must transform yourself first to become a talented leader. Clegg's claim to fame was that he was a break dancer in the early 80s. For more information go to https://www.leadership-squared.com/ and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Meet the Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.

In a world of AI-generated resumes, the chasm between the candidate resume and final client interview has never been wider.

Technology can minimize and even obscure the reality of a candidate. It can make it hard for them to shine through or it can overlook the need for that face-to-face interview prep.

Sometimes how a candidate presents themselves needs perfecting, but if you're just focused on the resume, you miss out on a huge opportunity. The last thing a recruiter wants is for the candidate to go straight into an interview without ironing out those kinks.

The solution to this problem is….technology surprisingly. It can close gaps and improve the process significantly.

What are some of the places in the recruiting process we can install Zoom calls? How do you build a high tenure team? How do you push past the pain of this business?

In this episode, Managing Partner at Magee Resource Group, Christian Burney talks about his business, and all the things they're doing to solve the challenges of recruiting in a tech-driven world.

Guest Bio

Christian is currently one of the Managing Partners at Magee Resource Group. He joined Magee in 2005 as an account manager in Executive Healthcare Leadership. He quickly became a relied upon recruiter in the Cardiovascular Services arena and placed many executives at some of the top programs in the country. Christian was a multiple-year Pacesetter and was promoted internally and became the Manager for Training and Professional Development in 2007. Christian and his business partner, Stan Wallace, took over Magee in 2013 and have been recognized as one of the highest performing firms in the MRI network over the last 11 years. Christian came to Magee Resource Group with a Bachelors in Sports Medicine from Troy University and a master's in education from Centenary College.

For more information, go to http://www.mageeresource.com and connect with Christian on LinkedIn.

Meet the Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.

On the other end of every job listing is a busy hiring manager wading through all the candidates clamoring to get into the role. The process of paring down an inbox full of candidates to a meaningful list of potential hires can be both time consuming and taxing.

That's where a great recruiter comes in...

When you can go beyond technical requirements, cut through all the other recruiters, and refine the process, you become the only recruiter a client wants to work with. In an industry full of "I've got a guy/gal" calls and emails, listening is what will make you stand out.

How can hiring managers and recruiters set their relationships up for success? In this special episode, I'm joined by recruiter, Nick Fassino and hiring manager, Laurie Haley. They talk about working together successfully, how they've collaborated on both sides of the recruiting desk, and what hiring managers are really looking for.

Guest Bio

Nick Fassino

Before founding Fassino Group, Nick achieved nearly twenty years of experience in operational leadership and sales management at Enterprise Holdings, one of the largest private companies in the world. During that time, Nick had responsibility for the hiring, training, and daily management of top performing teams and was recognized regularly for outstanding leadership.

Under Nick's guidance, Fassino Group has assembled the best cybersecurity recruiting talent in the industry specializing in both permanent placement and contract staffing. Utilizing a consultative approach, engaging relationships with the top executives in the industry, and repeating processes that produce results, Fassino Group has built top performing teams for their clients.

Nick is a passionate coach of his children's sports teams, an avid supporter of his Texas Tech Red Raiders, and a dedicated long-distance runner who has completed four marathons and countless other races.

Laurie Haley

With over 25 years in technology and cybersecurity sales, Laurie is a seasoned Senior SaaS Cyber Sales Leader, specializing in information security and application security. Her career is marked by driving innovation in cybersecurity, building high-performing sales teams, and developing strategic go-to-market plans. Laurie's professional achievements include having led the Technology Alliance Program for Veracode, being a leader in the Worldwide Sales Team for Qualys for almost a decade, and managing a world-class Vulnerability Program for CVS Caremark. She has also participated in strategic initiatives at various security companies, including SecureWorks and VeriSign.

For more information, go to www.fassinogroup.com. You can connect with Nick and Laurie on LinkedIn.

Meet the Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.

In the recruiting business, many things may change, from the tech we use to the industries that dominate at any given time. There are high points, hiccups and moments that force us to step back and reposition ourselves. What will never change is the lifeblood of this business, the engine that drives everything - motivation.

If a motivated client doesn't meet motivated talent, a hire will never take place, no matter how good at sales we are. Companies will always need people, CEOs will always want to make their business earn more and great candidates will always want great opportunities. When we can tap into that motivation, we succeed.

How do you develop a white glove service in recruiting? What did our guest learn from one of the greatest college football coaches? How do you use tech but not get consumed by it? In this episode, founder of SCN, Jim Guerrera joins us to talk about his career, his success and the beating heart of recruiting.

Guest Bio

Jim is primarily responsible for the development of the leaders at SCN, strategic planning, the hiring and development of company associates, culture leadership, core value leadership, sales leadership, marketing, operations, and business progress analysis.

Prior to founding SCN, Jim worked in a variety of Business Management and Sales Management positions in the Industrial and Civil Construction Sectors. He worked as a Market and Business Manager for MSC and as a Regional Sales Manager, District Sales Manager, and Outside Sales Representative for Advanced Drainage Systems.

Jim earned an MBA from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, DePaul University. He also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.

While at the University of Notre Dame, Jim earned a Varsity Letter as a Walk-on member of the varsity Football Team, and he is a college football enthusiast to this day. When not working, he's always up for travel, time spent in nature, time spent with family and friends, golfing, boating, and snow skiing. For more information, head to https://scnteam.com/ and connect with Jim on LinkedIn.

Meet the Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.

In the world of search, there are 2 paths to delivering top talent to clients - decision or choice. We can put a candidate in front of them and convince them to make a decision. Or we can put multiple A-players in front of them and empower them to make a choice.

The latter approach makes a huge impact, especially when it's done with speed and efficiency. It's on us to bring a selection of talent, not just to shove a person in their face and force them to hire.

How do we escape the trap of success? How did our guest go from a great rookie run to tearing everything down and then rebuilding the right way? In this episode, President of Westport One, Chris Heinz shares his story, how he views technology and what's given him staying power since 1997.

Guest Bio

Chris Heinz is the President of Westport One, a recruitment firm that specializes in Senior Living, Information Technology, and Financial Services/Banking, with his direct focus being Senior Living. Chris began his career with Westport One in 1997. He made his first placement within 9 days of starting and he hasn't stopped! In August 2000, Chris achieved the status of a CSAM, or Certified Senior Account Manager. This is a distinction held by less than 10% of the recruiters in the system. In 2015, Chris became the Managing Partner of his firm. He takes pride in the tremendous growth that Westport One has achieved. Westport One has ranked in the top 10 for many years. This is attributed to the incredible team of specialists that have dedicated themselves to being the best in the business. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn and go to https://www.westportone.com/.

Meet the Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.

How do you use technology without cannibalizing what you're great at? How do you maintain strong relationships in a world that's becoming less face-to-face? These are key questions recruiters grapple with today.

The good news is: there isn't one solution or one set way of doing things. The recruiting industry is like an artist's blank canvas - there are many ways to create a masterpiece or in our case, a successful client-candidate pairing. What remains important is reinforcing trust and never losing sight of the basics.

How do we weave trust into everything we do? What's the right way to approach technology? How do we shift from vendor to advisor?

In this episode, I'm joined by seasoned senior recruiter at the Newell Group, Riley Phillips. He shares how he found his way into this business, his recipe for success and what he loves about this industry.

Guest Bio

Riley began his career in recruitment for heavy industrial engineering in 2008 before he graduated college. Upon graduating in 2010, Riley joined The Newell Group as a Project Coordinator on the O&P team. During his five years in that role, he was consistently ranked as one of the top five Project Coordinators in the North Atlantic Region for MRI Network. Riley was promoted to Account Executive of Medical Devices at The Newell Group in 2015. The following year, he took a job as a corporate recruiter, but quickly returned home at TNG to lead the O&P division. Riley's resume remains impressive, with more than 250 placements made nationwide demonstrating his dedication to both clients and candidates. He recently received a $2 million lifetime cumulative cash-in award after reaching that milestone in October of 2022.

Riley lives in Simpsonville, SC with his two dogs Arsenal and Ghost. When he's not working, he enjoys golf and the outdoors. He also remains a loyal cheerleader for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Riley graduated from Coastal Carolina University where he majored in Marketing and Finance. Fun fact – Riley is a distant relative to Judy Garland! For more information, head to https://www.thenewellgroup.com/ and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Meet the Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.

Storytelling with a heavy emphasis on solving problems with human capital. That's what recruiting is when you look past the job titles and companies.

We aren't just moving talent from one organization to another. We're using all the information at our fingertips to create the ultimate success story, for both the candidates and our clients.

Being great storytellers serves us in every aspect of the business. It allows us to see and unlock potential. It gives us the messaging that cuts through thousands of phone calls, text and emails. It empowers us to not just build a great desk, but a solid business that can thrive regardless of market conditions.

How do we turn the information we have into powerful stories? How do we use a hard market as the ultimate springboard? In this episode, I'm joined by Branson Jordan from Management Recruiters of Spokane, Inc. He shares how we went from growing up in the industry to owning a business in it, the success that has led to his office being ranked 12th globally, and what sets him apart.

Guest Bio

Branson Jordan is a Certified Senior Account Manager and Director of the Banking Practice at Management Recruiters of Spokane, Inc. Most of his clients have dynamic staffing needs due to growth and market changes. They need candidates that offer a track record of success and experience in their industries. Branson has built a solid network of candidates in both Banks and Credit Unions giving clients access to passive candidates who are not actively looking for work but are open to the right opportunity. He considers himself an industry leader with real time market information. With a track record of over 100 successful placements in the banking industry, and multiple industry achievements and awards, Branson is committed to helping his clients find the right candidates for all of their staffing needs.

For more information, go to https://mrspokane.com/ and connect with Branson on LinkedIn.

Meet the Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.

If you've been in this business for decades, you haven't just seen technologies come and go, you've seen entire industries rise and tank, even ones you specialize in.

There's a reason why some recruiters stay relevant even as the industry landscape shifts underneath them - it's mastering the basics, caring about people and being a highly knowledgeable professional.

How do you build strong connections with clients and candidates? How do you pivot in the tools you use, not the basics that lead to success?

In this episode, I'm joined by managing partner at MRI Lancaster, Linda Gerz. She shares how she ended up in this business, and how to succeed through tech and industry disruptions.

Guest Bio

Linda started with Management Recruiters in September 1988 specializing in Food & Beverage manufacturing. Linda is deeply connected to the industry on a daily basis, speaking to numerous executives and senior managers each week discussing their goals, challenges and objectives. These vital conversations also involve sharing information on industry trends as well as Top Talent in the marketplace. As a result, Linda and the MRI of Lancaster team have invaluable insight as well as strong relationships that aid in the delivery of professionals who can immediately step in and be productive with a positive impact on the bottom line. Linda's dedication to the Food & Beverage marketplace gives her the ability to fully understand a client's needs and to develop true partnerships. With a diverse clientele including large, medium and small sized companies, MRI of Lancaster offers solutions through both permanent and flexible staffing options, including contract or interim placements.

For more information, head to https://mrilancaster.com/ and connect with them on LinkedIn.

Meet the Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.

In recruiting, the best of the best aren't in the staffing business, they are in the business of search. The 2 might not seem all that different, but they are night and day.

If you're staffing, you're waiting for people to come to you, going after the low hanging fruit and putting people in spots. When you specialize in search and headhunting, you proactively go to the market, identify those hard-to-find-hires and match them with the right organization.

How are top headhunters navigating the ongoing challenge of contacting people? What are the attributes of an exceptional search professional?

In this episode, second-generation executive recruiter and President of Search Max, Inc. Search Max, Adam Dalva talks about his journey into this business, how he maintains an edge, and what sets his firm apart.

Guest Bio

Adam Dalva is a second-generation executive recruiter and President of Search Max, Inc. Search Max is consistently regarded as one of the Top Recruiting firms in America. Originally opening in 1990 as Sage Consultants, the firm has since experienced tremendous growth. Today, Search Max, Inc. employs more than 15 full time Recruiters, Projects Coordinators and Research staff. For more information, head to https://searchmaxinc.com/ or connect with Adam on LinkedIn.

Meet the Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.

Cutting edge technologies can be a threat, a crutch, a challenge or a tool - the choice is ours. The rise of ChatGPT has once again raised the question of whether recruiters are going to be replaced. There are definitely ways AI can disrupt how we do things (and that can benefit us). One thing AI can't generate is the relationship at the heart of this job.

AI can drive efficiency and create systems that improve our touch points, but it just can't change what leads to success. How can we leverage AI as a tool that makes us better at what we do? How do we use AI to foster relationship management, not hijack the relationship itself?

In this episode, President and Co-Owner of The Chatham Group, Alden Galvanek shares how to keep your fingers on the pulse of technology in the recruiting business.

Guest Bio

Alden is President and Co-Owner of The Chatham Group. He believes in keeping a constant focus on developing and strengthening culture to foster honesty, openness, transparency, and trust for employees, clients, and candidates. With over 18 years of experience working within every level of the talent acquisition industry, Alden strives to partner with organizations, helping them locate and hire top-quality talent in the chemicals, plastics, color-concentrates, and technology industries. Throughout his growth within The Chatham Group, Alden has held critical roles within operations and human resources, maintaining the company's infrastructure and personnel systems. He understands the complexities of a world-class recruiting process and is forever vigilant in maintaining a servant leadership model of business within The Chatham Group. The Chatham Group has been involved in the successful placement of thousands of professionals in the chemical, plastics, packaging, specialty gases, and advanced materials industries.

For more information, head to https://mrichatham.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/aldengalvanek.

Meet the Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.