Confessions of a Recruiter

xrecruiter.io

Confessions of a Recruiter is a podcast built for recruiters who want more than surface-level stories.We’ve stepped into a new era with a sharper look and a stronger voice. This rebrand isn’t just about a new logo. It reflects our commitment to real conversations, genuine insight, and a brand that matches the impact we’re making in the recruitment industry.If you're keen to be part of the journey, email us at info@confessionspod.com

  1. 3d ago

    Luke Cotterell | Fired from Construction, $1K to Start, $80K a Month: What Happens When You Just Give It a Crack | COAR S3E12

    Send us Fan Mail He got fired from a construction job, drove around for hours before he could face going home, and then made a decision: if recruiters won't return calls, he'll build the kind of agency that does. Luke Cotterell is the Director of Primebuild Recruitment, and his story is a straight-shooting look at what it really takes to go from zero recruitment experience to consistent results in construction. We cover the scrappy start: setting up an agency for under $1,000, learning contracts and terms of business the hard way, and generating early cash flow through people he already knew. Then we get into the tactics that separate busy from effective, including why relying on the same Seek applicants can flatten your judgement, how reverse marketing works when you lead with a candidate not a pitch, and the mindset shift of always asking: what are other recruiters not doing? Luke's standout move is simple and bold. He walks onto residential job sites to meet site managers where they actually are. These are candidates who aren't polishing LinkedIn profiles, don't always have a CV ready, and still get hired fast when the right builder is paying market rates. We dig into how he builds rapport, keeps a bench of ready-to-move talent, and turns that into roughly a placement a week, plus the reality checks around tax, BAS, and respecting money once the numbers grow. If you're a recruiter thinking about going solo, or just curious how modern staffing businesses win in Australia, you'll get practical takeaways you can use this week. Support the show · Our Website is: xrecruiter.io

    Luke Cotterell | Fired from Construction, $1K to Start, $80K a Month: What Happens When You Just Give It a Crack | COAR S3E12
  2. Sep 1

    Brianna Hoy | From Million Dollar Desk to Managing Director of Her Own Agency | COAR S3E10

    Send us Fan Mail A recruiter can build a monster desk and still feel stuck. Brianna Hoy did exactly that, earning the nickname “Millie" for Million Dollar while running up to 450 contractors on a high-volume government desk, only to realise the work had slipped into autopilot and the satisfaction was draining away.  We talk through the full arc: door-to-door sales across Australia, the raw “numbers game” that builds resilience, and the ROI mindset that turns activity into consistent billing. Brianna explains what recruiters don’t always see coming when a temp book gets big, you become the employer, and every miss-payment, complaint, and messy human moment can land back on your desk. Then a three-month solo travel break becomes the mirror that shows her desk can run without her, but her career can’t.  From there, she takes a left turn into commercial real estate, learning long sales cycles and how to stay relevant years before a client needs you. That relationship-first skillset becomes the foundation for People People, her specialist property and construction recruitment agency in Brisbane. We get honest about the “launched on Monday” chaos of starting a business, why specialisation matters, how offshore recruitment support can unlock focus, and where AI in recruitment will genuinely help without replacing trust.  If you’re building a recruitment career, thinking about starting an agency, or trying to hire in a candidate-short market, you’ll leave with practical lessons you can apply immediately.  Subscribe, share this with a recruiter mate, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Support the show · Our Website is: xrecruiter.io

    Brianna Hoy | From Million Dollar Desk to Managing Director of Her Own Agency | COAR S3E10
  3. Aug 25

    Debbie Davis | 2026's Most Influential Businesswoman in Staffing & Recruitment | COAR S3E9

    Send us Fan Mail Debbie Davies takes us right back to the start, when recruitment meant Yellow Pages, walk-in candidates, business lists on CDs, and learning by doing. From there, we dig into the moments that shaped her leadership: the work ethic and resilience she developed growing up on a farm, the impact of experiencing a management style that didn’t align, and the decision to stay true to her values, especially integrity.  We also explore how leadership changes when you step into CEO-level responsibility, where strategy, profitability, continuity and decision-making can’t be avoided and where you can’t afford to bottleneck the business by trying to be across everything. At Beaumont People, Debbie shares why the agency doubles down on specialisation in the for-purpose sector and how a clear niche supports stronger client relationships, candidate outcomes, and team alignment. We unpack culture versus performance, how to deal with rumours quickly, and why managing high performers can be harder than managing anyone else, especially when burnout risk creeps in.  If you’re a recruiter, team leader, agency owner, or aspiring CEO, you’ll leave with practical guidance on specialisation, reputation, and getting back in front of clients. If you found this valuable, subscribe, share it with a recruiter who needs it, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. Support the show · Our Website is: xrecruiter.io

    Debbie Davis | 2026's Most Influential Businesswoman in Staffing & Recruitment | COAR S3E9

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Confessions of a Recruiter is a podcast built for recruiters who want more than surface-level stories.We’ve stepped into a new era with a sharper look and a stronger voice. This rebrand isn’t just about a new logo. It reflects our commitment to real conversations, genuine insight, and a brand that matches the impact we’re making in the recruitment industry.If you're keen to be part of the journey, email us at info@confessionspod.com

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