If You Wouldn’t Respond to Your Own Recruiting, Change It
Recruiting Conversations
In this episode, I address a growing problem in recruiting—lazy, spam-driven outreach that damages your brand and repels top talent. Too many recruiters and recruiting leaders rely on generic, mass-messaging tactics, thinking they’re taking a shortcut to success. Instead, they’re burning bridges, losing credibility, and making it harder for great leaders to reach the right recruits. If you want to recruit effectively in today’s world, you need a better strategy. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – The problem with spam recruiting messages and why they don’t work. [01:30] The...
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Why Your Recruiting Team Isn't Delivering—And How to Change That
Recruiting Conversations
In this episode, I tackle a controversial topic—how recruiting leaders, internal recruiters, and external recruiters should (and shouldn’t) work together. Many recruiting leaders struggle with hiring support that truly works for their team. I break down why external recruiters often miss the mark, why internal recruiters tend to focus on the company over the leader, and the best way to structure a recruiting system that actually delivers results. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – Addressing the common challenges leaders face when working with recruiters. [01:00] The Role of...
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Why Your Recruiting Conversations Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them)
Recruiting Conversations
In this episode, I break down a powerful framework from Charles Duhigg’s book Super Communicators and apply it directly to recruiting. The best recruiters don’t lead with a sales pitch—they follow a natural flow of conversation: social, emotional, and decision-making. Understanding these three types of conversations will help you connect with recruits, build trust, and close more deals. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – Why communication is the #1 skill recruiting leaders need to master. [01:00] The Three Types of Conversations – Social, emotional, and...
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Recruiting Is Just Like Dating - Here’s Why
Recruiting Conversations
In this episode, I explore the surprising parallels between recruiting and dating. From first impressions to long-term commitments, the way we engage with recruits is similar to how we build relationships. If you approach recruiting like dating—by focusing on connection rather than selling—you’ll build stronger, more meaningful relationships that lead to better hires and long-term retention. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – Recruiting and dating have more in common than you think! Why understanding this concept can transform your recruiting success. [01:30] Recruiting Is Like...
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Recruiting Setbacks? Here’s How to Turn Them Into Wins
Recruiting Conversations
Losing a recruit can feel like a major setback, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the story. In this episode, I share six critical steps to take after losing a recruit—actions that will keep you relevant and increase your chances of eventually winning them over. If you want to build a system that ensures you never truly lose a great recruit, this episode is for you. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – The challenge of losing a recruit and why handling it correctly can turn losses into future wins. [02:00] The Reality of Recruiting – Why losing a recruit is inevitable but how...
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They Said Yes But Never Started: How to Turn Post-Offer Silence Into Engagement
Recruiting Conversations
In this episode, I explore how to keep recruits engaged after they’ve accepted your offer but haven’t started yet. By focusing on value, energy, and connection, I’ll show you how to bridge the gap between the offer acceptance and their first day, ensuring they join your team. If you’ve struggled with recruits dropping off after saying yes, this episode will equip you with actionable strategies to close that gap. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction: Why post-offer engagement is critical and how up to 35% of recruits who accept offers never start. The episode focuses on actionable...
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Frustrated with Retention? Become the Leader No One Wants to Leave
Recruiting Conversations
In this episode, I dive into what it means to be the kind of leader people never want to leave. By focusing on clarity, values, and vision, I’ll show you how to cultivate an environment that attracts and retains top talent. If you’re struggling with retention, this episode will help you become a leader worth following. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction - The concept of leadership growth and how becoming more valuable as a leader leads to better retention. [02:00] Daily Affirmation for Growth - A mindset shift: The leader you are today should not be hireable by your better self 10...
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Recruiting the Wrong Person Drops Production by 30%: Hire Right!
Recruiting Conversations
In this episode, I explore the significant impact of hiring decisions on team productivity. Drawing on research from the Kellogg School of Management, I discuss how hiring the wrong person can reduce production by 30%, while hiring top producers boosts team output by 15%. I share actionable strategies for setting hiring standards, aligning values, and navigating high-pressure recruiting situations. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction - The challenges recruiting leaders face in balancing multiple responsibilities while maintaining high standards. [01:30] The Kellogg Study - How proximity to...
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Your Emails Are Costing You Recruits Subtitle: How 3 Small Email Shifts Landed A Big Recruit For One Leader
Recruiting Conversations
In this episode, I share a proven framework for crafting emails that close deals with hesitant recruits. Using a real-world success story, I reveal how moving from abstract promises to concrete specifics can make the difference between a signed offer and a lost opportunity. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction - The challenge of closing recruits when competitors enter the picture and how communication plays a critical role. [01:30] The Hail Mary Email - A coaching client’s experience with a recruit who was at the finish line but started to ghost. [03:00] The Problem with Abstract...
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How to Win at Recruiting When You Have 12 Other Responsibilities
Recruiting Conversations
In this special year-end episode, I challenge Recruiting Leaders to approach 2025 differently by rethinking how they manage their time. Drawing inspiration from unconventional success stories, like Rick Barry’s legendary underhand free throws, I encourage you to break free from cultural norms, focus on what truly matters, and double down on efforts that yield exponential results. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction - Reflecting on the past year and preparing for a breakthrough 2025. [02:30] The Lead Dog Principle - As a leader, your team will only go as fast as you lead them. Vision...
info_outlineWelcome back to Recruiting Conversations! I’m Richard Milligan, and today we’re diving into three crucial questions every recruiting leader must ask to truly motivate recruits. These questions will help you connect with recruits on a deeper level and tap into their real motivations for making a change.
Episode Breakdown
00:00 - 01:00 - Richard introduces the topic, sharing a common struggle among recruiting leaders: motivating recruits to take the next step. He highlights the importance of understanding what really drives people to make a career change.
01:01 - 02:30 - Richard explains the mistake many leaders make: trying to recruit based solely on a company’s value proposition, which falls short because most people are satisfied where they are.
02:31 - 04:00 - The discussion shifts to the real barriers to change, like switching insurance, learning new systems, and adjusting to a new environment. Richard stresses that offering a slightly better opportunity isn’t enough to motivate most people.
04:01 - 05:00 - Richard introduces the concept of understanding a recruit’s "why"—their deeper motivation beyond compensation. This is where real recruiting happens.
05:01 - 06:30 - The first essential question: What do you want? Richard explains how asking this opens a conversation about both professional and personal goals.
06:31 - 08:00 - The second key question: Why is that important to you? Understanding why someone’s goals matter helps you connect on a more meaningful level and gain insight into their true motivations.
08:01 - 09:00 - The third critical question: Are you saying...? Richard emphasizes the importance of clarifying what recruits are saying to ensure you're truly understanding their goals and desires.
09:01 - 10:30 - Richard compares recruiting to mediation, where both parties have different needs and the goal is to find common ground. As a leader, your job is to demonstrate that you can help recruits achieve their personal and professional goals.
10:31 - 12:30 - Richard shares a story of a leader who kept a recruit’s dream front and center by creating a dream board and offering tangible reminders of their goal, reinforcing their commitment to that person’s success.
12:31 - 13:30 - Recruiting isn’t just about getting people onto your team. Leaders must follow through on their commitment to helping recruits achieve their goals, even after they’ve joined.
13:31 - 14:30 - Richard concludes with a call to lead from a place of authenticity and focus on what the recruit wants, rather than what the leader wants.
Key Takeaways
- Ask What They Want: Focus on a recruit’s professional and personal goals, not just their job role.
- Understand Why It Matters: Dig deeper by asking why those goals are important, and connect with their true motivation.
- Clarify with 'Are You Saying?': Reconfirm what the recruit is telling you to ensure full understanding and alignment.
Recruiting becomes easier when you truly understand what drives people. By asking these three questions, you position yourself as a leader who cares about your recruits’ success, making it easier to attract and retain top talent.
- Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com.
- Need help crafting your recruiting system? Book a session with me at bookrichardnow.com.
#MotivatingRecruits #RecruitingQuestions #UnderstandingMotivation #RichardMilligan #RecruitingLeadership