Advertise on podcast: Recruiting Evolution

How should recruiting firms build for AI without giving up control of their data, security, or workflows? In this special episode of Recruiting Evolution, host Kortney Harmon talks with Aaron Elder, CEO and co-founder of Crelate, about the technology foundations behind AI in recruiting.  Aaron explains the roles of systems of record and systems of action, and how APIs, webhooks, and MCPs let AI agents work with recruiting platforms. They also discuss token costs, agent sprawl, credential security, and why some tasks are better handled by reliable, rules-based workflows than by AI. _________Follow Aaron Elder on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Aaron Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: Recruiting Evolution

How can recruiting firms use modern MPC campaigns to build stronger business development pipelines? Julian D’Angelo, CEO of Talin, joins Kortney Harmon to explain how targeted, personalized candidate outreach can open conversations with hiring managers more effectively than traditional bulk blasts. Julian walks through a campaign from identifying a candidate’s best-fit market to researching hiring managers, personalizing outreach, and managing replies. He also shares campaign benchmarks, discusses why recruiters should track positive replies instead of email opens, and demonstrates how the workflow connects with Crelate. This session was originally recorded for FDE+ and is now part of Recruiting Evolution. Key insights you can’t miss: An MPC campaign can build a relationship and pipeline, even when a hiring manager has no current opening.Mapping the broader market gives recruiters more opportunities than focusing only on posted jobs.Tailored campaigns can outperform generic outreach; Julian shares reported reply rates of 5–10%.AI can speed up research and personalization, while recruiter review and candidate strategy remain essential.Tune in to see how a more targeted MPC process can help recruiting firms start better conversations with hiring managers. _______ Follow Julian D’Angelo on LinkedIn: LinkedIn Julian Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: Recruiting Evolution

Recruiting Evolution explores the ideas, technology, and strategies shaping what comes next in recruiting. In this special episode, we’re revisiting a session originally recorded as part of the FDE+ event series featuring Greg Fischer, founder of The Well-Oiled Machine. Greg explains how recruiting firms can build a leaner, more profitable agency by combining onshore relationship builders, AI tools, and international recruiting talent. He breaks down where global team members can make the greatest impact, which roles still require a human touch, and the common mistakes agencies make when hiring internationally. You’ll also hear practical guidance for selecting the right roles and regions, hiring high performers, and integrating international employees as valued members of your team. _____ Follow Greg Fischer on LinkedIn: LinkedIn Greg Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: Recruiting Evolution

Recruiting Evolution is the next chapter of The Full Desk Experience, bringing you the same candid conversations and practical insights with a new name and look built for where recruiting is headed. AI for staffing firms has moved from experimentation to everyday use, but many teams are still treating it as little more than a faster writing tool. The real opportunity comes from giving AI the right context, building it into repeatable processes, and using it to create sales and marketing that actually stands out. In this episode, originally recorded as part of the FDE+ event series, Kortney Harmon is joined by Brad Smith, Chief Strategy Officer at Haley Marketing. Brad explains why so many staffing firms are getting generic results from AI and shares practical frameworks, real-world case studies, and strategies firms can use to strengthen buyer engagement, build authority, and drive measurable growth. _____ Follow Brad Smith on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Brad Learn more about Haley Marketing Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

In this special FDE+ virtual session, host Kortney Harmon is joined by Clark Willcox, Founder of Digital Recruiter, to explore how recruiters can use LinkedIn, AI, and automation without losing the authenticity that builds trust and drives revenue. Clark explains why generic AI-generated content can damage a recruiter’s credibility, why meaningful conversations matter more than likes, and how a targeted LinkedIn strategy can create a consistent business development pipeline. He also shares practical ways to strengthen your profile, reach the right prospects, create content that connects, and use your recruiting technology to support more intentional outreach. Key takeaways include: Building a LinkedIn profile that attracts ideal clientsCreating content that generates conversations instead of vanity metricsUsing AI without sacrificing your voice or authenticityCombining targeted outreach with consistent thought leadershipUsing your recruiting CRM to turn relationships into pipeline opportunities Learn how to build a stronger recruiter brand and use AI, automation, and LinkedIn with greater intention. _____ Follow Clark Willcox on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Clark Learn more about Digital Recruiter Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

AI is transforming staffing and recruiting, but that does not mean recruiters are becoming obsolete. In this FDE+ episode, Tom Erb, president of Tallann Resources, explores how recruiting technology has evolved and what professionals must do to remain valuable as AI and automation reshape the industry. Tom explains where AI can improve efficiency, accelerate candidate engagement, and give recruiters more time to focus on meaningful work. Learn why professional expertise, emotional intelligence, active listening, relationship-building, and continuous learning will separate future-ready recruiters from those who fall behind. ___________ Follow Tom Erb on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Tom Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

AI can save recruiters hours every week, but used poorly, it can also create impersonal outreach that burns bridges instead of building them. In this FDE+ session, Keely Flood, founder of The Honest Salesperson, demonstrates how he uses Claude Cowork to research prospects, personalize outreach, create call recaps, and reduce administrative work. He also shares how connecting AI with a recruiting CRM can give recruiters more time to focus on candidates, clients, and business development. From identifying high-potential accounts to drafting outreach and updating follow-up tasks, Keely walks through practical ways recruiters can use AI throughout the sales process. He explains why AI should get you most of the way there without replacing human judgment, especially when a message will be sent to a candidate or prospective client. See how recruiters can start with one repeatable task, build their first AI skill, and use AI recruiting software to spend less time on administrative work and more time building relationships that lead to revenue. ___________ Follow Keely Flood on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Keely Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

It’s easy to let business development slide when repeat clients and referrals are keeping you busy. Mark Whitby learned that lesson the hard way when he lost 85% of his revenue during the Great Recession. In this FDE+ session, Mark shares a seven-step plan for reaching the clients you most want to work with. He covers how to choose high-value accounts, research them, personalize your message, and use video, landing pages, direct mail, and phone calls to book more meetings over the next 30 days. Key Takeaways: How to choose which clients to targetWhy the channel matters as much as the messageWhat to include in a 30-day outreach campaignWays to personalize outreach without relying on automationWhy phone calls still improve your chances of booking a meeting________________ Follow Mark Whitby on LinkedIn: Mark Whitby Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

What’s actually driving revenue in recruiting right now—and where does the traditional playbook still win? Host Kortney Harmon sits down with Jeremy Jenson, Katie Trippe, and Dolores Sauter for an FDE+ roundtable on how recruiting leaders are adapting as outreach gets noisier, technology moves faster, and clients and candidates expect more. From cold calling and multichannel outreach to AI, data, and evolving tech stacks, the panel breaks down what’s producing results inside their firms today. They explore why authentic relationships still matter, how deeper niche expertise creates a competitive advantage, and why technology should create capacity for higher-value work—not simply add another tool to the stack. See how today’s recruiting leaders are pairing authentic relationships with sharper specialization and smarter technology to build sustainable revenue. ________________ Follow Dolores Sauter on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Dolores Follow Katie Trippe on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Katie Follow Jeremy Jenson on Linkedin: LinkedIn | Jeremy Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

What happens when better technology is no longer a competitive advantage? Host Kortney Harmon is joined by Donnie Gupton, Founder of Ora Marketing and creator of the Uncopyable Recruiter Method, to examine why trust—not tools, speed, or access—is becoming the real differentiator for recruiting firms. Donnie breaks down how AI and automation are creating greater parity between agencies and internal talent teams—and why the bigger challenge for recruiters isn’t competition, but comparability. He shares a four-part framework for becoming the standard in your niche through clear positioning, an intentional market ecosystem, authority-building content, and consistent follow-up. Key Takeaways • Why trust becomes the differentiator when technology is table stakes • How clear positioning helps recruiters escape the comparability trap • Why the 97% of buyers not hiring today deserve your attention • How content and consistent follow-up turn authority into demand Discover how to build the trust and authority that make your firm the first call when hiring needs arise. ________________ Follow Donnie Gupton on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Donnie Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

AI is changing hiring from both sides of the desk—companies are creating stronger job descriptions while candidates are creating stronger resumes, leaving recruiters with a growing blind spot between what looks good on paper and what actually predicts performance. In this FDE+ conversation, host Kortney Harmon is joined by Dr. Maya Huber, CEO and co-founder of Tatio, to explore why traditional, keyword-based hiring processes are becoming less reliable in an AI-driven market. Maya makes the case for shifting from promise to proof by measuring actual skills, competencies, and job-specific performance. She explores how staffing and recruiting teams can define what “good” looks like, standardize qualification across recruiters, and gather more meaningful evidence through structured questions, work samples, and virtual job simulations. The goal isn’t simply greater speed or efficiency—it’s greater certainty, transparency, and trust for clients and candidates alike. Explore how performance-based hiring can help recruiters make smarter talent decisions, strengthen client relationships, and become the performance authority their market trusts. ________________ Follow Maya Huber on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Maya Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

What if the recruiting advice you've always followed is costing you placements instead of creating them? Host Kortney Harmon shares a standout session from the FDE+ Virtual Conference featuring Tricia Tamkin and Jason Thibeault of Moore eSSentials, who challenge conventional recruiting wisdom with practical, psychology-driven strategies that strengthen client and candidate relationships. From business development conversations to candidate negotiations, Tricia and Jason reveal why the most effective recruiters often do the opposite of what everyone else is taught. They explore how to build trust through honesty, rethink exclusivity and guarantees, navigate HR partnerships more effectively, and handle objections, counteroffers, and difficult conversations with confidence. Every strategy is designed to move beyond scripted recruiting and create authentic conversations that lead to stronger long-term results. Key Takeaways • Use pattern-interrupts to earn attention and build credibility • Build trust by leading with transparency instead of outdated recruiting tactics • Turn difficult business development conversations into opportunities for deeper engagement • Reframe guarantees, exclusivity, and counteroffers as competitive advantages • Apply psychology and authenticity to create stronger client and candidate relationships Learn how the best recruiters replace outdated scripts with conversations that build trust, strengthen relationships, and drive consistent revenue.________________ Follow Tricia and Jason on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Tricia, LinkedIn | Jason Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

What does it take to turn clients into long-term partners—not just repeat customers? Kortney Harmon sits down with Kim Henderson where she explores practical strategies for strengthening client retention, building loyalty, and creating lasting value throughout the staffing relationship. This conversation outlines a proven framework for proactively managing client relationships—from choosing the right clients and creating a consistent onboarding experience to gathering meaningful feedback and demonstrating measurable business results. It also examines why specialization, regular communication, and continuous improvement help recruiters become indispensable partners, even in challenging markets. Discover how the most successful recruiters build client relationships that drive loyalty, trust, and sustainable business growth. ________________ Follow Kim Henderson on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Kim Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

Recruiters often think they need more cold calls to grow their desk—but Jamie Lupo argues they're overlooking the biggest revenue opportunities already built into their workflow. In this FDE+ episode, Kortney Harmon sits down with Jamie Lupo, Founder of Lupo Advisory, to explore how reference checks and quality control calls can uncover hidden job orders, strengthen client relationships, and generate new business without adding extra activities to your day. Jamie shares practical word tracks, proven frameworks, and simple strategies recruiters can implement immediately to increase fill ratios and grow revenue naturally. Discover how to turn everyday recruiter conversations into long-term business growth. ________________ Follow Jamie Lupo on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Jamie Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

LinkedIn has become one of the most powerful business development tools for recruiters—but only when it's used with intention. Kortney Harmon sits down with Clark Willcox, Founder of Digital Recruiter, to discuss how recruiters can build a revenue-driving brand on LinkedIn without relying on generic AI messaging or chasing viral content. Clark shares practical strategies for creating meaningful conversations, attracting the right clients, and using automation to support—not replace—human connection. Key takeaways include: Building a LinkedIn profile that attracts ideal clientsCreating content that drives conversations instead of likesUsing automation and AI without losing authenticityTurning LinkedIn into a consistent source of new businessDiscover how to build a recruiter brand that earns trust, generates revenue, and creates long-term business growth. ________________ Follow Clark Willcox on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | Clark Willcox Check out Clarks website: https://digitalrecruiter.io/ Follow Crelate on LinkedIn: Crelate Want to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo here Subscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience