The Marketing Rules Podcast

Hosted by ThinkinCircles Ltd

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204

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The Marketing Rules Podcast from ThinkinCircles, with your host James Whitelock "The voice of Recruitment Marketing". James takes a deep dive into all things Recruitment Marketing, from strategy, technology and delivery. Talking to leaders and influencers from the Recruitment Marketing space globally. To keep up-to-date with the new "rules" for Recruitment marketing, tune in every week.

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September 10, 202631 min

Why Recruitment Doesn’t Need Another Tool with Moh Mehrabani

Recruitment technology is moving fast, but that does not necessarily mean recruiters need more tools. In this episode of The Marketing Rules Podcast, Moh Mehrabani, co-founder of Tavi, joins the conversation to explore how AI agents could change the way recruiters work, why search and sourcing are far from commoditised, and what happens when technology starts working alongside recruiters rather than simply giving them another platform to manage. Moh brings an interesting perspective to recruitment. He has built and exited a technology business, worked across consulting, policy and brand strategy, and only relatively recently entered the recruitment industry. That outsider perspective has shaped how Tavi has been built and how he thinks about the future of recruiter workflows. The conversation covers: Why recruitment does not need another disconnected tool How AI agents can fit into existing recruiter workflows Why better search and sourcing still create competitive advantage The importance of recruiter input and feedback when working with AI Whether AI will replace recruiters or simply change where they add value Why candidate experience should improve as targeting becomes more accurate How recruiters can cope with an increasingly fragmented technology stack Why changing recruiter behaviour may be harder than building the technology itself The episode also finishes somewhere slightly different, with a discussion about Moh’s other life as experimental musician Saint Abdullah, creativity, music production and why creating something genuinely distinctive still matters. Another conversation about where recruitment is heading, and the ideas shaping what comes next. Download Own The Conversation Here: https://thinkincircles.com/#ebook The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by Smart Sifty ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠smartsifty.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Moh:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammad-mehrabani-26b0b914/ Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.themarketingrules.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

August 10, 202625 min

Why More LinkedIn Content Won't Make You More Influential with Rhona Barnett-Pierce

Everyone is creating content. AI can write a month's worth of LinkedIn posts in minutes. So how do you stand out when everyone is trying to build a personal brand? In this episode, James is joined by Rhona Barnett-Pierce, founder of Workfluencer Media, to explore what actually builds authority today. They discuss why conversations matter more than impressions, whether LinkedIn has become too noisy, how businesses should think about founder brands versus company brands, and why AI should amplify your thinking rather than replace your voice. If you're looking to build influence, strengthen your brand or create content that leads to real commercial conversations, this episode is packed with practical insights. In this episode we discuss: Has LinkedIn become too crowded? Why impressions are the wrong metric to chase Founder brands versus company brands The role of employee-generated content How AI can support content creation without sacrificing authenticity Why human expertise is becoming more valuable, not less How leaders can encourage visibility across their organisations Download Own The Conversation Here: https://thinkincircles.com/#ebook The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by Smart Sifty ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠smartsifty.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Rhona:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.themarketingrules.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

July 16, 202628 min

The New Playbook for Talent Acquisition with Adam Gordon

In this episode, James is joined by Adam Gordon, founder of Poetry and one of the recruitment industry's leading technology entrepreneurs. Together they explore the rise of recruiter enablement, why AI is changing the way recruitment teams operate, and what the recruiter of the future might look like. In this episode, we discuss: What recruiter enablement is and why it's becoming a major focus for talent acquisition teams. Why recruitment has more to learn from sales enablement than most people realise. How AI should improve consistency, governance and quality, not just productivity. The hidden tasks that consume recruiters' time and how technology can remove them. Why influence, communication and consultancy will become even more valuable skills. The balance between automation and the human side of recruitment. How recruitment technology is evolving beyond point solutions into complete workflows. What recruitment leaders should be thinking about as AI continues to reshape the industry. Key takeaways: AI is most valuable when it supports recruiters, not replaces them. Recruiters create the greatest value through influence and relationships, not administration. Consistency and governance are becoming just as important as speed. The future belongs to recruiters who combine technology with human expertise. Recruiter enablement could become one of the defining trends in recruitment over the next few years. Whether you're running a recruitment agency, leading an in-house talent team or simply trying to understand where AI is taking our industry, this episode is packed with practical insights and plenty of food for thought. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by Smart Sifty ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠smartsifty.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Adam:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwgordon/ Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.themarketingrules.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

June 25, 202631 min

Is "Culture Fit" Killing Diversity in Hiring with Theo Smith

In this episode of the Marketing Rules Podcast, James is joined by Theo Smith, one of the leading voices on neurodiversity, inclusion and workplace design. Theo has spent more than 17 years working across recruitment, talent acquisition, recruitment marketing and HR technology. Today, he helps organisations understand how hiring processes, workplace systems and company cultures can unintentionally exclude talented people. They discuss: Why recruitment processes often lose great candidates before they even apply The problem with "culture fit" hiring How organisations can create more inclusive hiring experiences The impact of AI on recruitment and talent attraction Why neurodiversity has become such an important workplace conversation The difference between fixing people and fixing systems How employers can attract talent in an AI-driven world Whether you're a recruiter, talent acquisition leader, hiring manager or business owner, this conversation will challenge how you think about hiring and workplace performance. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by Smart Sifty ⁠⁠⁠⁠smartsifty.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Theo:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/theosmithuk/ Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.themarketingrules.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

May 28, 202629 min

Networking Isn’t Dead. You’re Just Doing It Wrong With Andy Dunne

This week on The Marketing Rules Podcast James is joined by Andy Dunn, Managing Director of TEAM, the UK’s largest network of independently owned recruitment businesses. They dive into something that almost everybody talks about, but very few people genuinely understand: networking and community building. They discuss what separates networks that create real opportunities from those that simply look good on paper, why giving value first matters, and how to stay visible without becoming just another voice in the noise. Andy also shares what it really takes to build and manage a thriving community, the mistakes people make when trying to grow one, and why face to face connections still matter in an increasingly digital world. They also get into: Why networking is not about what you can take Building your own “team within a team” Online communities vs face to face relationships Community management lessons at scale Common networking mistakes to avoid The ROI of community and collaboration Why human connection could become even more valuable in an AI driven world Whether you run a recruitment business, work in talent acquisition, or are trying to build stronger relationships in your market, there are plenty of practical takeaways in this one. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by Smart Sifty ⁠⁠⁠smartsifty.com⁠⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Andy:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyedunne/ Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.themarketingrules.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

May 12, 202633 min

The Recruitment Industry’s Most Overlooked Performance Hack with Michelle Flynn

Most people in recruitment think burnout is just part of the job. Long hours. Constant pressure. Always “on”. But what if the real problem isn’t workload… it’s how we’re operating? In this episode of the Marketing Rules Podcast, James is joined by recruitment leader turned performance coach Michelle Flynn to talk about sleep, stress, burnout, breathwork and why so many recruiters are running at 100mph with no recovery. This is one of those episodes that will probably make you stop and rethink how you work. They cover: Why “work-life balance” doesn’t really exist The hidden signs you’re heading towards burnout Why recruiters struggle to switch off How high performers recover properly The importance of sleep and routine Why small changes beat dramatic life overhauls Breathwork, performance and controlling stress The problem with being “busy” all the time Why recruiters are basically office athletes How to improve performance without sacrificing your life If you work in recruitment, run a business or constantly feel switched on, this episode will probably hit home. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by Smart Sifty ⁠⁠smartsifty.com⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Michelle:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleflynn/ Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.themarketingrules.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

April 21, 202630 min

Why ‘Head Of’ Means Nothing Anymore with Daen Fox

This episode flips one of the biggest assumptions in recruitment on its head. We spend so much time defining people by job titles, CVs and neat career paths. But what if that is exactly what is limiting performance, creativity and growth? In this conversation, I sit down with Daen Fox to unpack why labels in recruitment are becoming less relevant, and what actually drives high performance in today’s market. We get into the reality of modern recruitment. Why generic processes are creating average results. How curiosity is becoming a real competitive advantage. And why the people who step outside their defined role are often the ones who win. We also talk about identity beyond work. From building a career in recruitment to performing as a DJ, Daen shares what happens when you stop trying to fit into one lane and start leaning into what makes you different. This is not a conversation about theory. It is about how people actually operate, perform and grow in a market that is changing fast. If you are building a team, growing a recruitment business, or just feel like you are being boxed in by your role, this episode will challenge how you think about work. What you will take away: Why job titles are becoming less useful in modern recruitment How to unlock better performance without rigid role definitions The link between curiosity and commercial success Why most recruitment businesses suppress innovation without realising it How to operate beyond your job title without causing friction What it really takes to stand out in an AI-driven market This one is about thinking differently, operating differently, and ultimately winning differently. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by Smart Sifty ⁠⁠smartsifty.com⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Daen:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/daenjafox/ Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.themarketingrules.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

April 6, 202632 min

AI Won’t Build Your Brand, People Will from The ThinkinCircles Team

In this episode of The Marketing Rules Live, the ThinkinCircles team explores how AI is reshaping recruitment marketing from a marketer’s perspective. We discuss the rise of AI-generated written content, the risks of overusing automated imagery, and the growing challenge of protecting brand consistency as consultants publish more frequently than ever. This session covers: How AI has increased content volume but not necessarily quality The risk of brand dilution when consultants rely too heavily on automation Why tone of voice, positioning and human judgement still matter The importance of AI guardrails, policies and internal guidelines How agencies can balance efficiency with credibility in 2026 Why recruiters must read, refine and sense-check AI output before publishing We also examine the wider implications of AI use, from sustainability concerns to misinformation risks, and why due diligence is now a business-critical responsibility. AI can accelerate your marketing. It cannot replace your thinking. If recruitment is a people business, then recruitment marketing must remain human at its core. Featuring Chris, Kat, Fiona, Richard and Tayla from ThinkinCircles. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by Smart Sifty ⁠⁠smartsifty.com⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.themarketingrules.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

March 23, 202630 min

The Hidden Risks That Kill Recruitment Agency Sales With Matt Fox

Most recruitment founders say they want to sell their agency one day. But the reality is very different. In this episode of The Marketing Rules Podcast , James Whitelock sits down with Matt Fox, founder of Exodus Advisory, to talk about what actually happens when recruitment businesses try to exit and why so few ever make it to a successful sale. After more than 25 years in recruitment, building and eventually exiting his own agency, Matt now works with recruitment founders to grow, optimise and prepare their businesses for sale. Unlike traditional brokers who only appear when someone decides to sell, Matt often works with owners years in advance, helping them fix the structural issues that destroy valuation. In this conversation, we unpack the biggest risks inside recruitment agencies that buyers look for, why owner dependency can kill a deal, and how factors like marketing, brand positioning and candidate experience can significantly increase the appeal and value of a business. If you run a recruitment agency and think you might exit one day, this episode will change how you think about building your business. In this episode we discuss: Why fewer than 10% of businesses that want to sell actually do The hidden risks buyers look for when evaluating recruitment agencies Why owner dependency is one of the biggest valuation killers The real role of brand and marketing in making a business more attractive to buyers How candidate experience can actually be monetised Why most recruitment agencies still struggle to differentiate themselves What founders should be doing years before they ever think about selling Whether you're building to exit, scaling for growth, or simply want to run a stronger recruitment business, this episode is packed with insights from someone who sits on both sides of the table. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by Smart Sifty ⁠smartsifty.com⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Matt:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-fox-50b10311/ Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.themarketingrules.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

March 6, 202634 min

The Truth About Recruitment Content Nobody Talks About With Joel Lalgee

What happens when a recruiter stops relying purely on cold calls and starts building an audience instead? In this episode of the Marketing Rules Podcast, James Whitelock sits down with Joel Lalgee, widely known as The Realest Recruiter . Joel has built one of the most recognisable personal brands in recruitment, growing a global following across TikTok, LinkedIn and YouTube while continuing to operate as an executive recruiter. Joel shares the story behind how he went from agency recruiter to content creator, why he committed to posting consistently, and what happened when that visibility started turning into real business opportunities. The conversation digs into the changing reality of recruitment. Outreach is easier than ever thanks to automation and AI, but getting someone’s attention is harder than ever. Joel explains why personal branding, authenticity and trust are becoming the most valuable assets recruiters can build. James and Joel also discuss the evolving role of content in recruitment, the mistakes people make when trying to copy influencer-style formats, and why the recruiters who succeed in the next decade will look more like media creators than traditional salespeople. In this episode they discuss: How Joel accidentally fell into recruitment and built a decade-long career in agency Why personal branding started as an experiment on LinkedIn What happened when Joel committed to posting content every single day Why attention and trust are now the hardest things for recruiters to earn The real impact AI and automation are having on outreach and sales Why the traditional “50 cold calls a day” model is becoming less effective How recruiters can combine marketing, content and relationship building The story behind The Realest Recruiter brand and how it became a business How Joel monetises content through speaking, partnerships and executive search Why authenticity and originality beat copying influencer-style content What listeners will take away: A clear understanding of why personal branding is becoming essential in recruitment Practical ideas for creating content that actually builds trust and visibility A new perspective on how recruiters can stand out in a crowded, AI-driven market Inspiration to think differently about business development and relationship building Why the future recruiter may look more like a creator than a salesperson. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by Smart Sifty smartsifty.com #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Joel:⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellalgee/ Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.themarketingrules.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠