Digital Recruiter Podcast

#11- Sourcer to Agency Owner: Building your biz one step at a time with Digital Recruiter’s Jon Heise

Episode Summary 
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter podcast, the host, Clark Wilcox, shares his own story and journey in the recruiting industry. He discusses how he transitioned from being laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic to starting his own consulting work and eventually launching a podcast and making successful placements. Clark emphasizes the importance of finding your own unique values and standing out in the industry. He also talks about the power of content and how sharing your story and expertise can attract clients and candidates. Throughout the episode, Clark and Jon touch on various topics, such as building a network, being more than just transactional, leveraging tools and technology, valuing time, and focusing on the basics of recruitment. 
Jon's Bio
Jon Heise founded Covert Recruiting in 2020. He has nearly 15 years of sales and service experience and has been in recruiting since 2011. He’s worked in contract, permanent, managed service recruiting/RPO, in-house/corporate, and executive search roles. His industry knowledge is broad and includes IT, software engineering, marketing, creative, digital, finance, biotech, and many more.
Jon believes this is a relationship-driven business more than a transactional one. To him, this means taking an honest, caring, and thorough approach to helping his candidates and client partners. There’s no ghosting. He’ll tell you what he’ll do and follow through with great attention to detail.
Jon grew up in Detroit, Michigan, but has spent the last decade in the amazing city of Chicago, IL. When he’s not recruiting, Jon can be found on the golf course (over 475 different courses played), traveling to far-off places with his wonderful wife (Northern Ireland, Mexico City, and Montreal among his favorites), and hanging out with his mini dachshund, Otto.
Connect with Jon on LinkedIn or find out more about him at jon@covertrecruiting.com 
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter 

#10- Systems + Relationships: Shaun Coe’s talks the keys to his success in Recruiting, Hospitality & E-commerce

Episode Summary
 
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark Wilcox is joined by Shaun Coe, the host of the Taking Chances with Shaun Coe podcast. The conversation revolves around the power of networking and the importance of creating valuable content. They discuss the challenges of starting a business in 2020 and the strategies for scaling it effectively. Shaun shares his personal experiences and emphasizes the need for authenticity and thoughtful leadership in content creation. They also touch upon the significance of client relationships and the role of networking in building a brand. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights on leveraging LinkedIn, developing a content strategy, and establishing meaningful connections in the recruiting industry. 
 
The hosts discuss the impact of their content and how it resonates with their audience. They emphasize the need to celebrate wins and share thoughtful leadership to connect with clients. They also mention the importance of planning content ahead while remaining open to incorporating timely stories and points to engage the audience. Shaun talks about his rediscovery of faith and its influence on his journey, particularly after a skydiving accident. The episode concludes with a discussion about future plans, including the release of an ebook and the launch of two B2B podcasts focused on providing value to recruitment companies and individuals building their brands.
Shaun’s Bio
With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality and wellness industries, Shaun Coe is a seasoned CEO and executive leadership coach who helps clients achieve their highest potential. He is the founder and CEO of Human Capital Resource (HCR), a professional services firm that offers tailored brand-building, strategic business development, recruiting, and training solutions to clients across all 50 states and internationally.
 
Shaun's career is driven by his passion for growth, self-discovery, and adventure. He has built successful teams, overseen 100+ new store openings, and partnered with venture capital firms to grow, expand, and restructure businesses for profitability and acquisition. He also shares his insights and experiences as the host of the Taking Chances with Shaun Coe podcast, where he interviews inspiring leaders and entrepreneurs from different fields and backgrounds. Shaun's love for adventure, whether climbing, skydiving, or navigating the dynamic world of business, is woven into every aspect of his work at HCR.
 
Connect with Shaun on LinkedIn or find out more about him at www.hc-resource.com
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter 

#9- Attracting Clients With LinkedIn Content with Ross Mayfield

Episode Summary 
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, we dive into the world of content marketing and copywriting with Ross Mayfield. He discusses the strategies and techniques needed to create engaging and compelling content, helping recruiters and solopreneurs leverage their expertise and connect with their target audience on a deeper level. Whether it's uncovering the secrets of standout content on LinkedIn or unlocking the power of conversations, this conversation provides valuable insights and practical tips for overcoming writer's block and avoiding stiff, formal writing that fails to resonate with readers.
Ross talks about the role of transcription in generating content ideas and how recording conversations can be a valuable source of inspiration. Ross Mayfield encourages content creators to embrace their personalities and share personal stories alongside business advice, creating a blend of relatable and informative content.
Ross' Bio
Ross is a copywriter & marketing strategist who works with small, owner-led service businesses to create content & marketing pieces that actually drive sales instead of just chasing likes. 
He got into marketing after writing a trilogy of horror novels that he self-published on the Kindle store in 2018, so he understands the value of a good story. These days, he helps recruiters & other service business owners drive sales by telling compelling stories that get target audiences to stop scrolling & pay attention.  
Ross has been involved with Digital Recruiter’s content creation and marketing strategy from the beginning. In addition to writing much of the content the Digital Recruiter publishes, he coaches clients on how content can supercharge their business development efforts. 
Connect with Ross on LinkedIn or find out more about him at www.rossmayfield.com
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter 

#8 - Mastering the Art of Sales Recruiting with Keely Flood

Episode Summary 
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter podcast, host Clark Wilcox is joined by Keely Flood to discuss coaching and sales recruiting. Keely spent years in recruiting and SaaS sales, hitting the President's Club. Clark and Keely both went through the Aerotek School of Sales training and talked about the importance of having a plan and staying consistent.
They discuss the key to building great relationships with potential & current clients. The conversation highlights the challenges of sales, the need for motivation, and the significance of communication and persistence in building a successful sales career.
Throughout the episode, Keely shares various anecdotes and insights from his sales journey. Keely also emphasizes the importance of having a support system and sharing experiences with others in the field to alleviate the grind of the job.
Keely discusses why he got into coaching recruiters (and his experience as a college football coach).
Keely's Bio
Keely Flood is a multi-president club winner, earning awards in both the SaaS and Staffing industries. During his time as a producer, he generated over 7 million in sales over the course of eight years. After years of success, he founded The Honest Salesperson in April 2023, in which his focus is on advising and coaching business owners to create a sales system that drives more revenue and wins more clients.
If you’re looking for help to increase sales, be sure to connect with Keely Flood on LinkedIn or email him at keelyflood@thehonestsalesperson.com 
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter 
 

#7 - Building an Agency from Networking with Kendy Elmore

Episode Summary
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark Willcox interviews Kendy Elmore, the founder of the Lobby Network. The conversation centers around the origins and purpose of the Lobby Network, which started as a medical sales networking idea and grew into a platform that brings together professionals from different segments of the industry. 
The discussion highlights the value of in-person networking and the power of personal connections in the recruiting process. Kendy and Clark emphasize the importance of meeting candidates face-to-face and spending time with them to build relationships and credibility. They discuss how these personal interactions can enhance the recruitment process and provide additional insights to clients when presenting candidates.
Kendy shares strategies for expanding the network and creating systems to support leaders in new cities. They emphasize the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences to help more people and drive success in the industry.
 
Kendy's Bio
 
Kendy is a proud graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Biology. He began his career pairing his passion for science with his devotion to helping others by pursuing a career in education as a science teacher and athletic coach. With an entrepreneurial spirit since early childhood, he always knew he wanted to build and grow businesses. He found the perfect opportunity to pair his strengths as a driven entrepreneur and educator with his science background in medical sales and has since become an award-winning medical sales representative.
With over 10 years in the industry selling for the top healthcare companies, he has consistently outperformed sales goals and exceeded quotas. From receiving the Rising Star Award in his first year to being a Presidents Club recipient, Kendy has a proven record of success and achievements. He now wants to share his secrets to success with others and help them achieve their goals through the coaching and mentoring program he's established as the founder of The Lobby.
Specialties: medical sales, coaching, entrepreneurship, start-ups, networking, mentorship, sales
You can find Kendy on LinkedIn or email kendy@thelobbynetwork.com 
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter 

#6 - From Client to Co-worker with Lauren Demato

Episode Summary
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter podcast, host Clark Willcox engages in an insightful conversation with guest Lauren Demato, delving into the intricacies of the recruiting industry and the experiences that shape it. 
Throughout the conversation, Lauren emphasizes the importance of finding a niche and owning it, drawing from her own upbringing and personal background. She highlights the significance of effective communication, particularly in terms of balancing self-promotion without appearing boastful. Lauren also provides valuable insights into the interview process, advocating for a consultative approach and emphasizing the need for a strong elevator pitch from both recruiters and candidates. 
They discuss the significance of qualifications, expectations, and effective note-taking in every conversation, underscoring the potential for substantial placements resulting from thorough and well-documented interactions. 
 
Laurens's Bio
 
Lauren attended the University of Scranton and has a Masters from the University of Pennsylvania. After spending time in clinical research recruitment, she found herself in the fast-paced startup world in NYC, assisting companies to hire and grow their international teams. In 2020, she opened the Lovett Talent Group, which focused on partnering with early-stage startups looking to hire global talent. As a self-proclaimed "chameleon of the search," there is not a specific industry she specializes in, but rather a partner to companies who are serious about hiring and building their dream team.
 
Now, partnering with Clark and managing the Digital Recruiter Talent Group, Lauren seeks to continue finding exceptional talent and finding new ways to improve the agency recruitment experience. 
 
You can find Lauren on LinkedIn or email lauren@digitalrecruiter.io 
 
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter 

#5 - The Journey of the First Digital Recruiter with Tara Rochelo

Episode Summary
 
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter podcast, host Clark Wilcox interviews Tara Rochelo, founder of Four Corners Search and a seasoned recruiter with extensive experience in the industry. Throughout the conversation, they discuss various aspects of the recruiting industry, including building trust with clients, handling job seekers when there are no open positions, developing relationships with Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, and creating an effective interview process.
 
Tara shares her insights on building trust with hiring managers, emphasizing the importance of subject matter expertise and effective communication. She highlights the significance of initial conversations and setting expectations with job seekers, even when there are no immediate opportunities available. The conversation also delves into the ideal interview process for companies, stressing the value of efficient time allocation and utilizing video capabilities for remote interviews. Tara emphasizes the need for timely feedback and maintaining transparency during the hiring process.
 
Throughout the episode, Tara emphasizes the need for consistency and ongoing self-auditing to improve recruiting strategies. She also provides valuable advice for those considering starting their own recruiting agency, emphasizing the importance of revenue generation and qualifying job orders.
Tara's Bio
Tara Rochelo is an award-winning pharma and medical sales rep turned Executive Recruiter.  After years of being a Top Producer year-over-year, she founded Four Corners Executive Search in 2020.  
 
Four Corners Executive Search is a boutique-style search firm focused on placing talent in the MedTech and Biotech industries.  The team at Four Corners works hand-in-hand with clients ranging from VC-backed start-ups to Fortune 500 clientele to understand their unique needs and will work relentlessly to find the absolute best talent for the job.  
 
Tara is mom to 3 girls and a very proud US Air Force spouse.  She spends her free time volunteering with organizations that assist veterans and military spouses navigate the transition to civilian life.  
 
You can find Tara on LinkedIn or email tara@fourcornerssearch.com
 
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter 

#4 - You of All People - From SaaS Sales to 7 Figure Agency Owner with Travis Janko

Episode Summary
 
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark Wilcox interviews Travis Janko, the CEO and founder of GSD Consulting and Recruiting. Travis shares insights into his unique approach to recruiting, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and relationship-building in his business model. He discusses his strategies for managing his workload, including focusing on tasks that move his business forward and blocking his time effectively.
 
Travis also shares his philosophy on recruiting, viewing himself as a matchmaker rather than a salesperson. He stresses the importance of removing emotion from the process and focusing on the needs of the client and candidate.
 
He also discusses the importance of authenticity and sharing real experiences in his content to stand out in the recruiting industry.
Travis's approach to client interactions is also highlighted, emphasizing listening and understanding their needs rather than pitching his services.
 
He believes in the importance of timing and patience, understanding that not every potential client may be ready to hire immediately.
 
Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into Travis Janko's unique and effective approach to recruiting, emphasizing the importance of relationships, authenticity, and understanding client needs.
Travis' Bio
Travis Janko was a successful quota-carrying sales leader for over twenty years before opening his own sales recruiting business eight years ago. During this time, he was part of a $50M Series C funding round, IPO, $317M, and $3.5B acquisition. Travis also spends some of his time doing speaking engagements, coaching startup founders, and mentoring agency recruiters. 
Travis and his wife Angie have four children and seven grandchildren. They both enjoy traveling, most especially to Kauai, HI. They both love to cook; if you drive by their house most evenings, you will see Travis at the grill.
If you’re looking for the top 5% of sales candidates for your SaaS team and a partner that delivers fast, be sure to connect with Travis Janko on LinkedIn or email him at Travis@gsd-coach.com
Travis also recently published the book “You, Of All People.” The book includes outrageous stories & billion-dollar Lessons from a SaaS Sales VP who Turned 7-figure recruiting agency founder. You can find the book here: BookFor more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter 

#3 - Transforming Teams and Cultivating Success with Noelle Federico

Episode SummaryIn this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark interviews Noelle Federico, a business leader focusing on recruiting and change management. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the recruiting industry, emphasizing the importance of problem-solving and understanding the broader business landscape.
 
Federico highlights the importance of trust and a service-oriented approach in the industry, cautioning against a fear-based or scarcity mindset. She advocates for a growth mindset, emphasizing the need for individuals and businesses to be conscious of their inputs and habits and open to change.
 
The conversation also touches on goal setting and maintaining momentum. Federico warns against complacency after achieving goals and emphasizes the need for continuous pressure and progress.
 
The discussion moves to treating employees respectfully and understanding, especially concerning personal needs and emergencies. Federico criticizes leaders who make their employees feel guilty for attending to personal matters.
 
Federico also shares her thoughts on the generational differences in the workforce, particularly with the advent of technology. She encourages leaders to embrace and adapt to these changes rather than resisting them.
 
The episode concludes with a discussion on performance metrics in recruiting. Federico emphasizes the importance of setting achievable metrics and putting people in positions to succeed.Noelle's Bio
A lifelong learner, Noelle has dedicated most of her professional life to becoming a leader, a professional coach, and a seasoned results strategist. A published author and Professional Certified Coach, Noelle is the CEO of Staff Agency Com LLC.
 
She is a certified Practitioner in Wiley Everything DiSC and The 5 Behaviors, a member of The John Maxwell Team, and Dare to Lead trained.
 
She is also the founder of A Generous Heart, a non-profit organization that supports youth literacy programs in local communities. Additionally, she is a member of the FORBES HR Council.
 
She has over three decades of executive experience across various industries, including corporate finance, operations, and communications.
 
She hosts a weekly social media live stream, The Coffee Chat Show, on Saturday mornings and is the creator of The Working Warrior Mom brand, which has a collective reach of over 2.2 million people per month. Outside of work, Noelle can be found spending time drinking coffee and reading.
 
If you want to reach out to Noelle, be sure to connect with her on LinkedIn or email her at noelle.federico@staffagency.com For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter 

#2 - Hunting Big Foot and Clients with James Brost

Episode Summary
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark Willcox interviews James Brost, founder of Axiom Search, who takes listeners on an engaging journey through the recruiting world. With his charismatic and relatable storytelling style, James shares his experiences, strategies, and adventures in the recruiting industry.
Listeners are introduced to James as a cool and experienced recruiter, and they get to know him better as he dives into his personal story and the pivotal role that the book "Think and Grow Rich" played in his life. James emphasizes the importance of authenticity and storytelling in building relationships with candidates and clients, highlighting how he learned early on the value of connecting on a human level rather than relying on scripts.
James delves into various aspects of the recruiting process throughout the episode, offering valuable insights and advice. He discusses the significance of effective communication, transparency, and understanding candidates' motivations. He shares his counteroffer approach, emphasizing the importance of active listening and making the opportunity appealing to candidates.
The conversation also explores the power of content creation and leveraging subject matter expertise to stand out in the recruiting industry. James encourages recruiters to share their authentic voices and experiences through bite-sized, engaging content that resonates with their audience.
Additionally, James touches upon his involvement in a documentary and how it has influenced his recruiting career. He shares intriguing snippets from the documentary, including stories about mysteries, Bigfoot, and UFOs, leaving listeners eager to learn more.
This episode provides a captivating and insightful glimpse into the recruiting world, with James Brost as the guide. Listeners will come away with valuable strategies, tips, and inspiration to master the art of recruiting and make their mark in the industry.
James' Bio
Having grown up in a military family, learning to communicate with people in new surroundings and environments became second nature to me. These experiences helped form what I believe to be an ability to connect with people from all walks of life & led me into recruiting.  
Over the past 25 years, I have developed and maintained relationships in the recruiting world with both clients and candidates. Some are still clients after 25 years; some are now just dear friends. In a few cases, I have helped clients build over 20% of their permanent staff. 
I built Axiom Search to extend our client’s hiring process, not a resume-forwarding service. My approach with candidates is to appeal to logic and provide accurate market analysis for their respective disciplines, allowing them to make a logical next step. 
Oh yea, I almost forgot, I’m also a documentary filmmaker, with films featured on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video. I knew nothing about filmmaking, but passion breeds adaptability…story of my life. 
If you are looking to build your MEP firm, or add to your SaaS GTM team, make sure to connect with James on LinkedIn or email him at jbrost@axiommep.comFor more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter