Recruiting Setbacks? Here’s How to Turn Them Into Wins
Release Date: 02/04/2025
Recruiting Conversations
Let’s be real—there are seasons in leadership where things just don’t click. You’ve been putting in the work, the systems are in place, but the results are slow. Or maybe your team isn’t rowing in the same direction. It’s frustrating, and it can mess with your motivation to keep recruiting. In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I dive into what it takes to stay consistent even when growth feels stagnant or your team isn’t aligned. This isn’t about hype—it’s about discipline, clarity, and belief. I’ll share strategies to detach from your emotional state, lead...
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If you’ve ever traveled for a leadership meeting or a branch visit and found yourself thinking, “I should’ve made more of that trip,” this episode is for you. I’m breaking down the five-step playbook I coach to leaders who want to turn quick trips into serious recruiting momentum. When you're only in town for 24, 48, or 72 hours, it's easy to let opportunity slip by. But with the right system in place, you can walk away with conversations that move the needle—and position you as a leader worth following. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – Why most leaders miss recruiting...
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In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I'm breaking down one of the biggest pain points in recruiting: what do you say when a recruit isn’t ready to move, and you’re stuck between disappearing or sounding like “just checking in”? The answer: show up with value. Here's how to pivot from awkward follow-up calls to intentional touchpoints that build real trust—and how to do it without creating content from scratch. You’ll learn how to become “the journalist,” how to lead with curiosity, and how to stand out in a sea of recruiters who are all saying the same thing. Episode...
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In this episode, I'm diving into the concept of an Experiential Recruiting Model—a strategy that allows recruits to get a firsthand experience of what it’s like to be on your team before they ever make the decision to join. I’ll break down why this approach works, how to create experiences that showcase your leadership, and simple yet powerful ways to differentiate yourself in a competitive recruiting environment. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – The challenge of recruiting while balancing multiple job responsibilities. [00:30] You Are the Product – Why recruiting success...
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In this episode, I challenge the traditional recruiting mindset and explain why cold leads are actually your greatest opportunity for long-term success. Too many recruiters focus solely on warm or hot leads—people actively looking for a job—when the real wins come from building relationships with cold leads before they’re ready to move. I’ll share why this approach works, how to develop a system for engaging cold leads, and the mindset shift needed to dominate recruiting. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – Why cold leads are an overlooked advantage in recruiting. [01:30] The...
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In this episode, I tackle one of the toughest parts of recruiting—handling objections and overcoming rejection. Every recruiting leader faces resistance, whether it’s on phone calls, emails, or social media outreach. But the best recruiters know that objections are just smoke screens. I’ll share the proven frameworks and mindset shifts you need to push past objections and build stronger relationships with recruits. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – Why overcoming objections is one of the most critical skills in recruiting. [01:00] Why Rejection Is Inevitable – Every recruiter...
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In this episode, I share one of the most powerful strategies for retaining your best people—reverse recruiting. If you want to keep top talent, you need to know their dreams and consistently help them move toward those goals. I’ll walk you through a framework to uncover what truly matters to your team and how to use that knowledge to create long-term retention. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – The concept of reverse recruiting and why retention starts with leadership. [01:00] Why Top Performers Are Hard to Keep – The best talent is always being recruited, and they won’t stay...
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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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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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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...
info_outlineLosing 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 you respond determines your success.
- [03:30] The Power of Belief – How your confidence in a recruit’s fit can impact their decision-making process.
- [05:00] The Aha Moment Strategy – Why creating an "epiphany bridge" is essential to shifting a recruit’s perspective.
- [07:30] The Roadmap to Business Growth – How offering a clear, structured plan can make you the most valuable option.
- [09:00] Why Many Recruits Have Doubts – The data behind why 25-35% of recruits leave their new job within 90 days.
- [10:30] The 90-Day Retargeting Plan – How to remain relevant with a recruit who chose another company.
- [12:00] The Six Touchpoints – A structured approach to checking in every 15 days for three months.
- [13:30] Day One Strategy – How to offer immediate value by helping recruits optimize their transition.
- [15:00] Creating Value in Follow-Ups – How to craft messages that keep the conversation open and build trust.
- [17:00] The Long-Term Play – Why staying in contact beyond the initial 90 days increases your chances of bringing them back.
Key Takeaways
- Losing a Recruit Isn’t the End – Many recruits second-guess their decision, making follow-up critical.
- Confidence Creates Influence – If you truly believe a recruit belongs on your team, communicate that with conviction.
- Create an Aha Moment – Provide a clear roadmap to success that helps recruits see you as the best choice.
- Follow the 90-Day Plan – Engage with lost recruits every 15 days through six structured touchpoints.
- Offer Immediate Value – Help recruits optimize their transition, even if they choose another company.
- Play the Long Game – Keep the relationship open and be the first person they think of when reconsidering.
Recruits who leave aren’t always gone forever. By staying engaged, providing value, and structuring your follow-ups with intentionality, you dramatically increase your chances of winning them back. Every lost recruit is a future opportunity—if you handle it the right way.
Want to refine your recruiting follow-up system? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or schedule a coaching session at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s build a system that ensures you never truly lose a great recruit.