Blake Thompson & Declan Kluver (Xrecruiter Co-Founders) Downturns, Mentoring, & Market Softening

Send us a textWe sat down with Kylie, founder of Prime Recruitment & Consulting , to unpack a smarter, calmer way to build a winning desk in property and construction: fewer dials, better conversations, and a clear plan for trust that compounds. Kylie takes us through her path from real estate into a boutique agency built around the full property lifecycle, and why aligning your niche with genuine interest keeps you curious long enough to become useful.We dig into practical mechanics recruiters can use today. You’ll hear a crisp distinction between a lead, an opportunity, and a job so your pipeline becomes honest and predictable. We map out discovery meetings that earn respect: send an agenda, do deep research on projects and people, and anchor the chat on outcomes at six and twelve months instead of a laundry list of duties. Networking turns into a lead engine when you’re present at industry forums and seasonal events, not just pitching but sharing what candidates want and what the market is signalling. If you want your BD to feel more like advisory work and less like chasing, this conversation gives you the structure, scripts, and mindset shifts to get there. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a recruiter who’s ready to swap volume for value.Support the show· Our Website is: xrecruiter.io

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Send us a textTired of choosing between growth and service quality? We unpack a model that lets you have both: embed a trained remote professional alongside every recruiter so admin, sourcing, compliance, and follow-up run in the background while your team spends more time winning and keeping clients. We sit down with Sam and Jory and Jonny to map the exact structure, from hitting $50k GP every four weeks with one RP through to scaling past $70–$80k with a second RP or an onshore account manager. We tackle the big myths too such as brand integrity, accents, client perception and show why embedded offshoring improves response times, protects relationships, and builds a moat as your desk grows. The cost equation is compelling, but the real story is consistency under load: more interviews, faster fills, better retention.Want to know how H People scaled and grew their agencies with Remote Professionals? Download the task list below.https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UB2CirhD8fkHdyyKLqe3nW_B95b_AN2bSupport the show· Our Website is: xrecruiter.io

Send us a textEver wondered how top-billing recruiters consistently hit their targets year after year? Adam Oldman, an executive HR recruiter from Sydney whose biggest year reached an impressive $1.58 million, breaks down exactly how he built and maintains his high-performance desk.The foundation of Adam's success lies in his methodical approach to business development. Rather than simply chasing job ads (though he admits this was his starting point), he's evolved to focus on strategic leads and what he calls the "hot boss" approach - identifying a candidate's manager during interviews so when they resign, you already know who to connect with. This consultative approach has proven far more effective than cold calling, especially in HR recruitment where managers are constantly bombarded by recruiters.What truly sets Adam apart is his commitment to retained recruitment over contingent work. "Why are recruiters working for free?" he questions, comparing recruitment to other professional services like real estate where payment is expected upfront. He shares practical advice for converting contingent clients to retained by demonstrating the superior value of a thorough, dedicated search process, which has not only improved his work quality but also increased his fees and client commitment.Perhaps most valuably, Adam speaks candidly about experiencing burnout multiple times in his career. He describes burnout as the state where "what used to give you happiness doesn't give you happiness anymore," alongside physical symptoms and cynicism about work. His recovery strategies include taking proper breaks, healthy habits, and daily meditation - a practice he credits as transformative for both his career success and personal wellbeing.Whether you're just starting in recruitment or looking to elevate your performance, Adam's insights on business development, client management, fee negotiation, and mental health offer a blueprint for sustainable success that withstands market fluctuations and personal challenges. Take your desk to the next level by implementing these proven strategies from one of Australia's top performers.Support the show· Our Website is: xrecruiter.io

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Send us a textEvery successful recruiter knows that consistent business development is the foundation of their success, but how do the habits and strategies evolve as careers progress? This candid conversation reveals the real numbers behind prospecting discipline at different career stages.We dive deep into the evolution of a recruitment professional's business development approach—from the hustle of making nearly 700 BD calls annually in their early years to the more strategic focus required when managing teams and accounts. You'll hear specific metrics that drove success, including aiming for five BD and five candidate calls daily when building a desk from scratch, and how those targets shift with experience and increased responsibilities.What stands out is the unwavering commitment to daily prospecting, regardless of seniority. The guest shares their personal discipline of blocking 10-11 AM every day exclusively for BD activities, establishing this as a non-negotiable part of their routine. There's a refreshingly honest admission about the regret that inevitably follows when this discipline slips: "I know every single time I don't do it, I'm going to be annoyed at myself."Whether you're new to recruitment or a seasoned manager, this conversation offers valuable insights into maintaining the prospecting discipline that separates top performers from the rest. How many BD calls are you committing to this week? Listen now to benchmark your approach against industry veterans who continue to prioritize this essential activity.Support the show· Our Website is: xrecruiter.io

Send us a textEver wondered what separates average recruiters from million-dollar billers? Mollie Gunn, Director i-Pharm Consulting , pulls back the curtain on the strategies that transformed her from rookie recruiter to industry powerhouse.Mollie’s approach to business development defies convention. Instead of chasing quick wins, she builds success through persistence, even calling prospects for years before landing them. "I'm relentless, I will not give up," she says, a mindset that has won her major accounts once thought unattainable.The episode dives deep into practical techniques that any recruiter can implement immediately. From creating structured BD blocks in your calendar to insisting on proper job briefings (never just over the phone), Mollie reveals the disciplined habits that drive exceptional results. Her signature question—"Why?"—serves as both a powerful objection handler and a tool to uncover clients' true needs during discovery calls.Perhaps most refreshingly, Molly challenges the transactional approach that plagues many recruitment businesses. She confidently articulates her value proposition to clients, standing firm on fees while offering creative alternatives like extended guarantees for retained work. "If the only thing you can negotiate on is price, I don't know if I really want to work with you," she states, embodying the confidence that has earned her trusted advisor status with clients.Whether you're new to recruitment or looking to break through to the next level, this episode delivers actionable insights that will transform how you approach business development, take job briefs, and handle objections. Support the show· Our Website is: xrecruiter.io

Send us a textLaura Cole, founder of HopesConsult and former co-founder of award-winning Lotus People, pulls back the curtain on recruitment business development in this captivating conversation. Having cut her teeth during the Global Financial Crisis in London's banking sector before building her own successful ventures in Australia, Laura shares battle-tested strategies that actually work in today's market.You'll discover why "research and prep is still BD" and how to weave prospecting naturally into your day rather than treating it as a dreaded separate activity. Laura reveals her framework for handling even the toughest client objections and explains why the most effective discovery calls focus on uncovering what clients don't like about their current recruitment process.Perhaps most valuable is Laura's passionate take on fee negotiation—a must-listen for any recruiter who's ever felt pressured to discount. "I just wish every recruiter would just say no, and then we wouldn't end up in this situation," she explains, offering practical advice for maintaining your rates while still winning business.Whether you're a seasoned consultant looking to sharpen your approach or new to recruitment and building your foundation, this episode delivers immediately applicable strategies to elevate your business development game. Connect with Laura on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and access more of her recruitment insights.Support the show· Our Website is: xrecruiter.io

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Send us a textSteve Tolen has spent over 20 years helping recruiters and leaders grow stronger, more sustainable businesses. In this episode, he shares his Five Before the Call methodology, a modern approach to business development built on personal branding, LinkedIn mastery, AI, video content, and real-world networking. Packed with practical tips on owning your niche, building trust, and creating long-term client relationships, this is essential listening for anyone serious about winning in recruitment.Support the show· Our Website is: xrecruiter.io