Recruiters: Waiting on Clients Is Killing Your Desk artwork
The Elite Recruiter Podcast

Recruiters: Waiting on Clients Is Killing Your Desk

  • S1E305
  • 43:56
  • March 3rd 2026

If you’re waiting to hear back… you’ve already lost.

In Part 2 of this deep dive, Jamie Lupo breaks down why most recruiters don’t have a sales problem — they have a control problem.

And that problem is killing desks quietly.

After 18 years inside LHH — one of the largest talent solutions organizations in the world — Jamie has trained thousands of recruiters, rebuilt struggling offices, and helped teams turn flat years into record-breaking ones.

In this episode, she goes tactical.

You’ll hear:

• The exact debrief scheduling move that eliminates “waiting on feedback”

• How to turn a simple reference call into a new client order

• The “slow down to speed up” mindset that increases placement ratios

• The flat desk reset framework you can implement Monday morning

• Why only a small percentage of recruiters truly control their process

• How to transform transactional recruiting into revenue-driven recruiting

This isn’t about grinding harder.

It’s about guiding the process.

Scheduling feedback before interviews happen.

Clearing candidates properly before submission.

Using references as a business development engine.

Doing more with the work you already have to do.

If you want to scale a recruiting firm, strengthen your sales skills, and increase your placement velocity — this episode is your execution blueprint.

Jamie will also be going deeper live at the This Is Your Year Recruiter Summit.

If this conversation resonates, you need to hear her full breakdown there.

Register here:

https://this-is-your-year-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/

Timestamp Highlights:

00:00 – Why “waiting to hear back” is avoidable

02:09 – The interview question that unlocks real candidate intel

05:05 – How to properly clear a candidate before submitting

06:34 – The reference strategy that gets ghosted clients to respond

07:45 – Why rushing actually slows you down

13:01 – The 75% debrief scheduling tactic

14:48 – The flat desk reset framework

18:22 – Why references are your fastest revenue lever

24:56 – Is tech overrated in recruiting?

31:42 – The “Unreasonable Hospitality” mindset

🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM

Automates admin, syncs resumes/emails, and uses AI to build polished profiles and reports.

Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com

🎯 This Is Your Year – Recruiter Summit

Jamie Lupo is a featured speaker.

All live sessions are free.

Register now → https://this-is-your-year-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/

💼 Join the Elite Recruiter Community

All summits, replays, Billers Club + split space access:

https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community

Tools & Links:

Jaimi Lupo on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamielupo/

YouTube:

Free Trial: Pin → https://www.pin.com/

Signup for emails → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Host Benjamin Mena → http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/

Benjamin LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

Benjamin Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

This is Part 2 of the Jamie Lupo series — and the part where execution meets revenue.

If you’re serious about growing your desk, don’t skip this one.

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

https://www.eliterecruiterpodcast.com/

Meet the Hosts

Benjamin Mena avatar
Benjamin Mena
Host

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.