
Making The Successful Jump From Agency Recruitment to Internal Recruitment with Dan Harten
- S1E73
- 34:41
- June 1st 2023
Dan Harten is an executive recruiter for Fortune 100 companies who specializes in internal recruitment. He is a guest on the Elite Recruiter Podcast, where he shares his experience making the successful transition from agency recruiter to internal recruiter. Dan talks about the preparation and mindset needed for success in the world of internal recruitment.
Dan Harten fell in love with recruiting as a child, dreaming of becoming a sports recruiter. However, destiny had something else in store for him, as he stumbled upon the world of agency recruiting through a friend's referral. Dan joined AeroTac, where he excelled in developing recruiters and sourcers while building up a solid client base. He was eager to transition from agency to corporate recruiting and landed his dream job at Vista Outdoor, where he supported staffing needs for famous outdoorsy brands. To further hone his skills, Dan learned sourcing techniques from a sourcing expert and now shares his insights to influence other recruiters within the industry.
Dan Harten on Recruitment Strategies
1. Dan Harten's Background and Introduction to Recruitment- Worked in B2B sales and account management- Learned the importance of growing and maintaining strong relationships- Started his recruiting career at AeroTac
2. Strategies for Starting a New Job in Recruitment- Talent mapping and prospecting- Scheduling meetings with leaders throughout the organization- Creating a game plan for follow-up
3. Importance of Networking and Staying Up-to-Date- Ask to be on the team that hires recruiters- Use examples and strategies learned from other recruiters to improve your own process- Networking using podcasts and other sources
4. Mastering the Art of Relationships in Recruitment- How relationships are important for job referrals and influencing decision-making- The role of AI in recruiting and its limitations
5. Building Strong Relationships with Candidates- Emphasizing the importance of relationships throughout the interview process- Utilizing internal data for sourcing top talent- Coaching candidates on areas of improvement to increase interview success
6. Closing Thoughts and Strategies for Succeeding in Recruitment- The importance of being patient, embracing failure, and continuously learning and growing- Maintaining an ongoing notebook or resume to track experiences and examples for future promotions or interviews.
Dan Harten LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-harten-0542063b/
With your Host:
Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
Benjamin Mena TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminlmena
Benjamin Mena Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjamin_l_mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeliterecruiter/
The Elite Recruiter Podcast
The Elite Recruiter Podcast is the number one podcast for recruiting professionals.
This is where the top recruiters share: How they got there. What kind of work did it take. Tips, Tools, and Tricks. The Mindset needed to get them to where they are. What they are doing with their success. Goals and visions for the future. So please join me on this journey as I interview some of the best in our industry.
Benjamin Mena
The Elite Recruiter Podcast Host
Meet the Hosts

Benjamin Mena is the founder of Select Source Solutions and the host of The Elite Recruiter Podcast — one of the top global podcasts for agency and executive recruiters. With over a decade of experience placing top talent in the government contracting (GovCon) and cleared space, Ben brings a no-BS approach to the business of recruiting.
Each week, he interviews high-performing recruiters, agency owners, and industry innovators to uncover the real stories behind their success. From six-figure solo producers to million-dollar billers and AI-powered solopreneurs, Ben’s mission is simple: help recruiters level up their careers and businesses through actionable insights, raw conversations, and a community of like-minded professionals.
Based between the U.S. and Bordeaux, France, Ben is also a dad, summit host, and advocate for the future of AI-powered recruiting.