Why Your Recruiting Conversations Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them)
Release Date: 02/17/2025
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_outlineIn 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
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[00:00] Introduction – Why communication is the #1 skill recruiting leaders need to master.
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[01:00] The Three Types of Conversations – Social, emotional, and decision-making—why the right order matters in recruiting.
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[02:30] Why Most Recruiters Get This Wrong – The mistake of jumping straight to the decision-making conversation and why it doesn’t work.
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[04:00] The Power of Social Connection – How relationship-building conversations create trust and open doors.
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[05:00] Emotional Conversations in Recruiting – Using dream-based recruiting to tap into what recruits truly want for their future.
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[06:30] Decision-Making Conversations at the Right Time – When and how to transition from emotional connection to discussing your opportunity.
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[07:30] How to Pivot If a Recruit Pushes for a Decision Early – Setting conversational goals to ensure you’re in the right type of discussion.
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[08:30] Why Selling First Creates Resistance – How leading with recruiting instead of relationship-building can kill deals before they start.
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[09:30] Final Thoughts & Book Recommendations – Why Super Communicators aligns with great recruiting strategy and how my book, How to Dominate Recruiting in a Digital World, connects with these principles.
Key Takeaways
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Conversations Have a Natural Flow – The best recruiters start with social connection, move to emotional connection, and only then have a decision-making conversation.
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Social Capital Comes First – Without trust and rapport, a recruit won’t engage in deeper conversations.
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Dream-Based Recruiting Works – Helping recruits define their long-term vision builds emotional connection and influence.
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Selling Too Early Pushes Recruits Away – Leading with recruiting instead of relationship-building reduces engagement and lowers your success rate.
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Velocity Comes from Connection – Building the right type of conversations speeds up the recruiting process, rather than slowing it down.
If you want to recruit successfully, you must master the flow of conversation. Leading with connection instead of a sales pitch will change how recruits respond and dramatically improve your results. If you apply these principles, you’ll create more trust, increase engagement, and close more hires.
Want to refine your Recruiting? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or schedule a coaching session at bookrichardnow.com. For more insights, check out my book How to Dominate Recruiting in a Digital World!