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The Elite Recruiter Podcast

The Elite Recruiter Podcast

By: Benjamin Mena
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About this listen

The Elite Recruiter Podcast is where top recruiters go to get better.

Hosted by executive recruiter Benjamin Mena, this show dives deep into the stories, strategies, and mindsets of the most successful people in the industry — from $1M solo producers to 8-figure agency founders.

Each episode delivers real, tactical insights for high-performance recruiting:

  • How elite recruiters build and scale
  • Tools, tech stacks, and sourcing strategies
  • Daily habits and workflows that drive million-dollar desks
  • Lessons from failure, breakthrough wins, and mindset shifts
  • What the best are doing next — and how they’re changing the game

If you’re in agency recruiting, staffing, or executive search — this is your new secret weapon.

No fluff. No recycled advice. Just the unfiltered playbook of the top 1%.

🎧 Subscribe now — and start leveling up like an elite.

2024 Elite Recruiter Podcast Career Success Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales Personal Development Personal Finance Personal Success
Episodes
  • How Elite Recruiters Win Clients in 2026 (AI + BD)

    How Elite Recruiters Win Clients in 2026 (AI + BD)
    Jan 8 2026
    1. Episode Hook The old recruiting playbook is breaking. If your business development looks the same as it did 2–3 years ago, you’re already falling behind. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 2. Why This Episode Matters AI is reshaping recruiting faster than most agencies are prepared for. In this episode, you’ll learn how elite recruiters are adapting their business development, positioning, and client strategy to win in 2026 — not just survive it. This is about closing better clients, building authority, and creating demand in an overcrowded market. 3. What You’ll Learn The biggest BD mistake recruiters are making in 2026 (and why it’s killing response rates)How AI is quietly eliminating commodity recruiters — and what to do insteadThe white-glove service shift that lets recruiters charge more and win exclusivityHow to build long-term client demand, not just short-term leadsThe mindset difference between recruiters who stay busy and those who dominateHow to use AI tools without sounding automated or inhumanWhy being “good at recruiting” is no longer enough to scale a firm 4. About the Guest David Stephen Patterson (DSP) is one of the most influential voices in recruiter sales and business development. With decades of experience as a recruiter, firm owner, and coach, he’s helped thousands of recruiters build stronger pipelines, better positioning, and scalable BD systems. 5. Extended Value Tease Imagine going into 2026 with consistent inbound interest, clients who see you as a strategic partner, and BD systems that work even when the market tightens. This episode breaks down how elite recruiters are becoming the “big fish in a small pond” — building authority, trust, and deal flow that compounds over time. 6. Listen Now CTA If you want to win clients in 2026 instead of fighting for scraps, this is a must-listen episode. Hit play and start upgrading how you sell, market, and position yourself as a recruiter. 7. Timestamp Highlights 00:06 – Why DSP keeps getting invited back (and what recruiters can learn from that)08:45 – Why “good recruiters” are being squeezed out of the market12:30 – The white-glove service model that changes client behavior16:40 – How to stop sounding like every other recruiter pitching the same thing21:10 – The KPI vs. Client mindset shift every recruiter needs27:00 – Why authority beats outreach volume in 202631:45 – The long-game BD strategy most recruiters never play36:20 – How elite recruiters use AI without losing the human edge41:05 – What recruiters should actually be learning beyond recruiting46:30 – The uncomfortable actions that separate elite recruiters from average ones52:10 – DSP’s favorite AI and sales tech tools right now58:40 – How to stop being the “world’s best-kept secret” 8. Sponsors 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Automates admin, syncs resumes/emails, and uses AI to build polished profiles and reports. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com 9. Summit + Community 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 💼 Join the Elite Recruiter Community (All summits, replays, Billers Club + split space) https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community 10. Tools & Links Free Trial: PeopleGPT → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Free Trial: Talin AI → https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter Free Trial: Pin → https://www.pin.com/ Signup for emails → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: https://youtu.be/qVEJlvP0wmM Follow DSP on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dspatterson/ Host Benjamin Mena: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ Benjamin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/ Benjamin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Why Top Recruiters Win Clients Without Selling

    Why Top Recruiters Win Clients Without Selling
    Jan 5 2026

    Why Top Recruiters Win Clients Without Selling

    1. Episode Hook

    The best recruiters don’t sell harder.

    They win clients by becoming the most trusted person in the market.

    2. Why This Episode Matters

    Most recruiters struggle with business development because they approach it like sales.

    This episode shows how top billers win clients, close more searches, and scale their desk by turning everyday recruiting conversations into long-term revenue—without pitching or sales scripts.

    3. What You’ll Learn

    • The BD mindset shift that helps recruiters win clients without selling
    • Why candidate conversations are the highest-converting BD channel
    • The hidden mistake recruiters make separating candidates from clients
    • How elite recruiters create repeat searches and full-team builds
    • Why thinking like a talent agent instantly increases credibility
    • The ethical rule that protects referrals, reputation, and revenue

    4. About the Guest

    Katharine Wilcox is a Pinnacle Society member, consistent top biller, and owner of Resource Mosaic. With 20+ years in executive search and a background in Hollywood talent agencies, she’s built a career on relationship-driven recruiting that consistently wins clients.

    5. Extended Value Tease

    Imagine candidates calling you for advice—and later hiring you.

    Imagine clients trusting you to build entire leadership teams.

    No chasing. No pitching. Just becoming the obvious choice in your niche.

    6. Listen Now CTA

    If you want more clients without selling harder, press play now.

    7. Timestamp Highlights

    • 00:03 – Why selling harder backfires in recruiting
    • 06:05 – From Hollywood talent agent to executive recruiter
    • 15:37 – “You’re buying the business” moment
    • 25:24 – Hustle vs. effectiveness for top billers
    • 31:29 – Why recruiting is business development
    • 37:26 – Flat fees, trust, and predictable revenue
    • 43:11 – Why recruiters should think like talent agents

    8. Sponsors

    🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM

    Automates admin, syncs resumes/emails, and uses AI to build polished profiles.

    👉 https://recruitwithatlas.com

    9. Summit + Community

    🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit

    https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/

    💼 Elite Recruiter Community (all summits, replays, Billers Club + splits)

    https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community

    10. Tools & Links

    • PeopleGPT → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d
    • Talin AI → https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter
    • Pin → https://www.pin.com/
    • Email List → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

    YouTube: https://youtu.be/PruIBKFecGU

    Follow Guest on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharinewilcox/

    Benjamin: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • LinkedIn Recruiting Secrets That Actually Drive Placements

    LinkedIn Recruiting Secrets That Actually Drive Placements
    Dec 22 2025
    LinkedIn Recruiting Secrets That Actually Drive Placements 🎙️ Episode Hook Most recruiters think LinkedIn “doesn’t really work.” She quietly proved them all wrong — and built a real hiring engine in the process. 🏆 Elite Recruiter Awards – Voting is Open Recognize the recruiters and leaders making a real impact. Vote now → https://benjaminmena.typeform.com/to/tK5kwRMe 🚀 Why This Episode Matters If you’re an agency recruiter or firm owner struggling with cold outreach, low response rates, or inconsistent pipelines, this episode will change how you look at LinkedIn. You’ll hear how one recruiter built a powerful community that drives inbound candidates, referrals, and placements — without spam, gimmicks, or chasing uninterested talent. This is about leverage, trust, and long-term recruiting advantage. 🧠 What You’ll Learn In this episode, you’ll learn: • How to turn LinkedIn into a daily inbound sourcing engine • The biggest mistake recruiters make when “building a brand” • Why top candidates watch your content before ever reaching out • The mindset shift that turns posts into real placements • Why community beats cold outreach for senior-level talent • What to post (and what NOT to post) to build instant trust • How recruiters can win without becoming “cringe influencers” 👤 About the Guest Stephanie Holman is a high-performing recruiter in the cleared and national security space who built a massive LinkedIn presence and a reputation-driven hiring pipeline by showing up consistently and delivering value. Her approach challenges traditional recruiter marketing — and it works. 🔥 Extended Value Tease Imagine candidates reaching out already informed, already trusting you, and already interested. This episode isn’t about hacks. It’s about building a recruiting business that compounds over time and makes every future placement easier. ▶️ Listen Now If you want to future-proof your desk and stop relying on cold outreach, this is a must-listen episode. Press play and take notes. ⏱️ Timestamp Highlights 00:02 – Why LinkedIn “doesn’t work” for most recruiters 05:10 – The ROI of community-first recruiting 09:45 – How ghost candidates really job search 14:30 – Why job posts don’t drive placements 19:20 – Trust as a recruiting growth lever 24:05 – Why consistency beats talent 29:40 – The confidence shift recruiters need 35:15 – What agency recruiters can steal 41:00 – Avoiding burnout while scaling 47:10 – Why this approach wins long-term 54:30 – Final advice for recruiters starting now 🤝 Sponsors 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Automates admin, syncs resumes/emails, and builds AI-powered profiles. 👉 https://recruitwithatlas.com 🚀 Pin – AI Recruiting Assistant 24/7 AI for sourcing, outreach, scheduling, and screening. 👉 https://www.pin.com/ 🎯 Summit + Community 🎯 2026 Sales & BD Recruiter Summit https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 💼 Join the Elite Recruiter Community (All summits, replays, Billers Club + Split Space) https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community 🛠️ Tools & Links PeopleGPT → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Talin AI → https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter Pin → https://www.pin.com/ Subscribe → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube → https://youtu.be/2N4so9xKa0U Stephanie Holman → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniejholman/ Benjamin Mena → http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
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