Virtual Equity

Lindsey Meske and Nicole Evans

Virtual Equity is the podcast from the team at Unified Linc — where real talk meets career growth. Hosted by Lindsey Meske and Nicole Evans, we share honest, practical conversations about recruiting, HR, business operations, and professional development. Whether you're a business owner trying to calm the chaos and run better, or a professional ready to level up your career — this podcast is for you. We cover recruiter tips, interview strategies, career coaching, hiring best practices, and the real skills you need to grow. No fluff. No filler. Just the people, systems, and growth strategies that actually work. New episodes every two weeks. Tune in and Run Better. Learn more at unifiedlinc.com

Episodes

  1. 03/07/2025

    Funneling & Follow Ups — How Great Recruiters Stay Organized | Virtual Equity Podcast Ep. 7

    Most recruiters send one message and wait. The best recruiters have a plan. In Episode 7 of Virtual Equity, Lindsey and Nicole break down everything they've learned about building recruiting funnels and follow-up processes that actually get responses — and how they got their entire team to buy in. In this episode: 🔹 Why it takes 8-12 touch points to get a response in sales and recruiting 🔹 What a touch point actually is — calls, voicemails, texts, emails, and more 🔹 How to build a 14-day follow-up funnel that doesn't annoy candidates 🔹 The difference between aggressive funnels and consistent funnels 🔹 Why blasting 200 messages with no follow-up plan is killing your results 🔹 How to use automation to get to the first yes or no — then take over personally 🔹 What "adding value" really means in your messaging — beyond money 🔹 Why "no" doesn't mean no in recruiting — it means not right now 🔹 Inbound vs outbound funnels and how they work differently 🔹 How to get your team to actually follow the process — and stick with it 🔹 Why the more dependable you are the more dependent candidates become on you 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Introduction: Funneling & Follow Ups 0:29 — Why funnels changed everything for their team 2:35 — What brought Lindsey & Nicole to focus on follow-up 3:32 — Most recruiters don't understand what a follow-up process really means 5:05 — Research shows it takes 8-12 touch points to get a response 5:43 — Building a strategy around your funnel goals 6:42 — What touch points actually are — defined 8:54 — Building 14-day follow-up funnels 9:28 — The biggest key: connecting your touch points 10:18 — Why blasting without a follow-up plan doesn't work 11:52 — Aggressive funnels vs consistent funnels 13:06 — What value really means in your messaging 16:39 — Content calendars and automation done right 21:27 — Why no doesn't mean no — it means not right now 28:30 — Inbound vs outbound funnels 31:01 — How to get your team to buy in to the funnel process 33:26 — Quality over quantity in your candidate responses 35:41 — Customizing your funnel to your style 37:54 — Writing and messaging in your own authentic voice 💼 ABOUT UNIFIED LINC Virtual Equity is brought to you by Unified Linc — helping businesses run better and professionals grow their careers. 👉 HR Career Resources & Job Placement: https://www.unifiedlinc.com/hr-professional 👉 Business HR & Operations Support: https://www.unifiedlinc.com/operations 👉 Visit us: https://www.unifiedlinc.com 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/virtual-equity/id1795146513 #RecruitingFunnel #FollowUp #RecruiterTips #VirtualEquity #UnifiedLinc #Staffing #TalentAcquisition #HRCareer #RecruitingStrategy #SalesFollowUp #CandidateEngagement #RecruitingPodcast #CareerGrowth #RecruiterLife #Automation

    47 min
  2. 01/11/2025

    How to Identify and Rule Out Weak Candidates Fast | Virtual Equity Podcast Ep. 4

    How do you know if someone is really cut out for recruiting — before you hire them? In Episode 4 of Virtual Equity, Lindsey and Nicole each came up with their three things they look for in an interview to quickly identify whether a candidate has what it takes — without comparing notes first. Spoiler: Lindsey's list will surprise you. In this episode: 🔹 Why accountability is Nicole's #1 non-negotiable — and what a red flag sounds like 🔹 How to use top grading interviews to assess accountability and growth mindset 🔹 Why Lindsey looks for people who can make her laugh in an interview 🔹 The snake story — and why one authentic answer got someone hired on the spot 🔹 The GPA question — and why how you answer it tells everything about your honesty 🔹 Why "I don't remember" is the worst answer you can give 🔹 Why Lindsey asks "why this company" at the end of every interview 🔹 How adaptability separates good recruiters from great ones 🔹 Management tip: Test your ideas first — then bring your team the proof 🔹 Tip of the Week: Use the story of how you landed your last job to showcase recruiter skills 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Introduction: How to Rule Out the Weak 0:36 — Nicole's #1: Accountability — what it looks like and what disqualifies you 2:54 — What a non-accountability statement sounds like 5:42 — Using top grading to assess candidates at all experience levels 8:26 — Lindsey's #1: Can you make me laugh and connect with me? 9:24 — The snake story — authenticity gets you hired 10:14 — How Lindsey uses icebreakers to help candidates relax 13:54 — Nicole's #2: Growth mindset — what are you doing to better yourself? 18:02 — Lindsey's #2: The GPA question — the ultimate honesty test 20:06 — Why "I don't remember" is the wrong answer 21:37 — Lindsey's #3: Why Junction, why recruiting, why this industry? 25:57 — Nicole's #3: How adaptable are you when everything changes? 29:12 — Management tip: Roll up your sleeves and show your team — don't just tell them 32:39 — Tip of the Week: Use the story of how you landed your last job 💼 ABOUT UNIFIED LINC Virtual Equity is brought to you by Unified Linc — helping businesses run better and professionals grow their careers. 👉 HR Career Resources & Job Placement: https://www.unifiedlinc.com/hr-professional 👉 Business HR Support: https://www.unifiedlinc.com/business-hr 👉 Visit us: https://www.unifiedlinc.com 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/virtual-equity/id1795146513 #HiringRecruiters #RecruiterInterview #VirtualEquity #UnifiedLinc #HRCareer #RecruitingTips #TalentAcquisition #InterviewTips #Staffing #CareerGrowth #RecruitingPodcast #Accountability #GrowthMindset #HumanResources #ProfessionalDevelopment

    36 min
  3. 12/27/2024

    How to Interview for a Recruiting Job and Actually Get It | Virtual Equity Podcast Ep. 3

    Want to land a recruiter role? In Episode 3 of Virtual Equity, Lindsey and Nicole each came up with their own list of interview tips for anyone trying to break into recruiting — without comparing notes first. The result is a practical, honest breakdown of exactly what hiring managers are looking for when they sit across from you. In this episode: 🔹 Why research and preparation give you a major leg up before the interview 🔹 The questions you should be asking — and why "I have no questions" kills your chances 🔹 Why letting your personality shine is non-negotiable in a recruiter role 🔹 The difference between using "I" vs "we" — and how to highlight your individual contributions 🔹 How to talk about what you learned from past roles to show self-awareness 🔹 The STAR method — Situation, Task, Action, Result — and how to use it 🔹 Why KPIs and metrics need to be on your resume if you want to get called back 🔹 How to talk about money professionally without killing your chances 🔹 Why staying professional — especially about past employers — matters more than you think 🔹 Tip of the Week: Spend 30 minutes every day building your passive candidate pipeline 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Introduction & Episode Overview 1:25 — Tip 1: Prepare and research before every interview 3:49 — What questions you should be asking your interviewer 7:27 — Tip 2: Let your personality shine — especially in a recruiter role 8:53 — Tip 3: Be mindful of using "I" vs "we" — showcase your contributions 10:03 — How to highlight individual contributions even in a team environment 14:11 — Tip 4: Showcase what you learned — strengths and weaknesses 15:52 — The STAR Method — Situation Task Action Result explained 18:24 — Tip 5: KPIs and metrics belong on your resume 20:07 — What KPIs actually are and how to find yours 22:07 — How to compare your experience to others to identify your KPIs 23:43 — Tip 6: Stay professional — especially about past employers and money 26:09 — How to talk about money in an interview the right way 31:49 — Tip of the Week: Build your passive pipeline 30 minutes a day 💼 ABOUT UNIFIED LINC Virtual Equity is brought to you by Unified Linc — helping businesses run better and professionals grow their careers. 👉 HR Career Resources & Job Placement: https://www.unifiedlinc.com/hr-professional 👉 Resume & Interview Support: https://www.unifiedlinc.com/hr-professional 👉 Visit us: https://www.unifiedlinc.com 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/virtual-equity/id1795146513 #RecruiterInterview #HowToGetARecruitingJob #VirtualEquity #UnifiedLinc #HRCareer #RecruitingTips #JobInterview #InterviewTips #CareerGrowth #TalentAcquisition #Staffing #RecruitingPodcast #KPIs #STARMethod #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment

    33 min
  4. 12/20/2024

    5 Traits to Be a Successful Recruiter | Virtual Equity Podcast Ep. 2

    In Episode 2 of Virtual Equity, Lindsey and Nicole each came up with their own list of the top qualities they look for when hiring a recruiter — without comparing notes beforehand. The result? A raw, honest conversation about what it really takes to succeed in recruiting. In this episode: 🔹 Work ethic vs accountability — what's the difference and why both matter 🔹 Why strong communication is the foundation of every placement 🔹 How to use mock calls vs real calls to develop recruiter skills 🔹 Why sales experience matters even if you've never had a sales title 🔹 What Drive really means when motivation runs out 🔹 Goals, KPIs, and why metrics are a roadmap not a report card 🔹 How to build relationships with candidates from all walks of life 🔹 Why honesty and knowledge go hand in hand in recruiting 🔹 The London question — how two different personalities solve the same problem 🔹 Tip of the Week: Take improv classes to build communication on the fly 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Introduction & Episode Overview 1:00 — Quality 1: Work Ethic & Accountability 7:58 — Quality 2: Strong Communication Skills 12:35 — Mock Calls vs Real Calls 14:39 — Quality 3: Basic Sales Experience 18:17 — Quality 4: Drive & Discipline 25:15 — Goals, KPIs & Motivation with Measurements 32:21 — Quality 5: Ability to Build Relationships  35:22 — Honesty & Knowledge as a Recruiter Skill 40:26 — The Analytical Recruiter 45:09 — The London Question — Two Approaches 48:08 — Tip of the Week: Take Improv Classes 💼 ABOUT UNIFIED LINC Virtual Equity is brought to you by Unified Linc — helping businesses run better and professionals grow their careers. 👉 HR Career Resources & Job Placement: https://www.unifiedlinc.com/hr-professional 👉 Business HR Support: https://www.unifiedlinc.com/business-hr 👉 Visit us: https://www.unifiedlinc.com 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/virtual-equity/id1795146513

    49 min
  5. 12/13/2024

    To Become a Great Recruiter You Need to Know One First | Virtual Equity

    Welcome to the very first episode of Virtual Equity! Lindsey sits down with co-host Nicole Evans — a 15+ year recruiting and staffing veteran — to talk about what it really takes to succeed as a recruiter. In this episode: 🔹 Nicole's journey from front desk to branch manager to HR 🔹 How to translate traditional recruiting experience into fast-paced industries 🔹 Why the best recruiters are problem solvers, not just phone dialers 🔹 The 3 things every recruiter MUST have to be successful 🔹 Why discipline matters more than motivation in recruiting 🔹 How referrals build the strongest recruiting desks 🔹 Tip of the Week: Use your email signature to ask for referrals 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Introduction & Welcome to Virtual Equity 1:15 — Nicole's recruiting background and journey 3:45 — Translating traditional recruiting into fast-paced industries 5:00 — How to move at healthcare recruiting speed 8:00 — Why Nicole loves recruiting and account management 9:50 — 3 things every recruiter must do to succeed 11:30 — Using improv to think on your feet 13:00 — Tip of the Week: Email signature referral strategy 15:00 — Where to find Nicole on social media 💼 ABOUT UNIFIED LINC  Virtual Equity is brought to you by Unified Linc — helping businesses run better and professionals grow their careers. 👉 HR Career Resources & Job Placement: https://www.unifiedlinc.com/hr-professional 👉 Business HR Support: https://www.unifiedlinc.com/business-hr 👉 Visit us: https://www.unifiedlinc.com 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/virtual-equity/id1795146513 #Recruiting #RecruiterTips #VirtualEquity #UnifiedLinc #HRCareer #Staffing #TalentAcquisition #CareerGrowth #RecruitingPodcast #HumanResources #RecruiterLife #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment

    16 min

About

Virtual Equity is the podcast from the team at Unified Linc — where real talk meets career growth. Hosted by Lindsey Meske and Nicole Evans, we share honest, practical conversations about recruiting, HR, business operations, and professional development. Whether you're a business owner trying to calm the chaos and run better, or a professional ready to level up your career — this podcast is for you. We cover recruiter tips, interview strategies, career coaching, hiring best practices, and the real skills you need to grow. No fluff. No filler. Just the people, systems, and growth strategies that actually work. New episodes every two weeks. Tune in and Run Better. Learn more at unifiedlinc.com