What happens when life gives you the push you’ve been avoiding? For Julia Arpag, getting laid off just five weeks after giving birth wasn’t a setback; it was the spark that launched her recruiting agency, Aligned Recruitment. In this inspiring episode, Julia shares how losing her “stable” W-2 job opened her eyes to the power of owning your career path. With roots in therapy and a passion for meaningful connections, Julia reveals how she has built a thriving business by leading with empathy, curi...
Jun 09, 2025•46 min•Ep. 91
Hiring the right people has never been more critical, or more challenging. If your team is stretched thin, facing aggressive hiring deadlines, or searching for niche talent in a competitive market, a staffing agency could be your best-kept secret. In this episode, we break down how the right partner can act as an extension of your team, handling everything from sourcing to screening to onboarding. You'll learn when it makes sense to bring in outside help, the difference between contract, direct ...
Jun 04, 2025•21 min•Ep. 90
Most recruiters waste time chasing leads that will never convert. Patrick Barbour decided to fix that with a new recruitment automation tool. In this episode, we dive into the story behind RecStack, an AI-powered business development platform built specifically for staffing firms. Patrick, a former oil and gas recruiter, shares how a single insight changed everything: at any given time, only 3–5% of companies are actively looking for recruiting support. The rest? Wasted outreach. RecStack flips ...
May 29, 2025•56 min•Ep. 89
Hiring a great recruiter isn’t as simple as it sounds, and getting it wrong can hurt your entire hiring strategy. In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast , we break down a proven 7-step process to help you hire a recruiter who can actually deliver results. In just 20 minutes, you’ll learn how to define the role based on hiring volume, time-to-fill goals, and specialization needs, so you don’t end up misaligned from day one. We’ll help you choose the right level of recruiter—entry, mid, senio...
May 27, 2025•22 min•Ep. 88
Bad hires are expensive, costing companies upwards of $50,000 each. But beyond the financial hit, they disrupt team morale, stall productivity, and can damage your culture from the inside out. And here's the kicker: 74% of employers admit they've hired the wrong person. In this episode, we're breaking down 17 red flags every hiring manager should watch for—before it's too late. From candidates who arrive late or dodge tough questions to more subtle signs like vague references or deflecting past ...
May 15, 2025•10 min•Ep. 87
Most hiring managers are writing job descriptions wrong... If you want to know how to write a job description that actually attracts the right candidates, this episode is your blueprint. I’ll unpack why some roles get flooded with qualified applicants while others barely get a glance. Spoiler: it’s not just the job itself—it’s how you talk about it. In this episode, I break down the strategy behind writing job descriptions that convert, treating them like the powerful marketing assets they are. ...
Apr 16, 2025•11 min•Ep. 86
Our host, Pete Newsome, sits down with John Ruffini—VP of Professional Development at HealthTrust Workforce Solutions and author of Money Makers —to explore how recruiting is evolving and which fundamentals still hold strong. While technology and AI have transformed the way recruiters operate, Ruffini reminds us that relationships remain at the heart of great recruiting. He states, “Our business is still about relationships, and people want to interact with other people. It’s just human nature.”...
Mar 21, 2025•37 min•Ep. 85
Are outdated hiring practices slowing you down? Join us for an insightful chat with Varun Khurana , co-founder of Wayfaster , as he shares his journey from employee to entrepreneur. Frustrated by recruitment inefficiencies, Varun and his co-founder built a cutting-edge voice AI solution to revolutionize high-volume hiring. We dive into how AI is reshaping recruitment—streamlining resume screening, optimizing interviews, and enhancing efficiency while keeping the human touch at the forefront. But...
Feb 21, 2025•40 min•Ep. 84
The hiring landscape is shifting—are you keeping up? In this episode, Vicky Brown, CEO of Idomeneo , shares expert insights on navigating the challenges of today’s job market, from the remote vs. in-office debate to finding and retaining top talent. We’ll explore how businesses can rethink recruitment, treating it like marketing to attract the right candidates. Vicky breaks down the importance of clear career paths, smart hiring strategies, and the role of compliance in building strong teams. Pl...
Feb 03, 2025•43 min•Ep. 83
What if you could revolutionize your recruitment strategy and attract top talent like never before? Join us as Thad Price, CEO of Talroo and Ready Set Hire, shares his expertise on transforming the way companies approach hiring. Learn how to turn the internet into your ultimate help wanted sign and treat candidates like valued customers. Thad breaks down the importance of effective job postings and timely engagement, offering insights into how Ready Set Hire leverages recruitment marketing best ...
Sep 19, 2024•23 min•Ep. 82
Need help navigating the labyrinth of employment labor laws? HR consultant Ricky Baez joins us to unravel these complexities and offer practical strategies for business owners. Listeners will discover essential resources like SHRM.org , EEOC.gov , and DOL.gov , and learn the benefits of attending industry conferences and hiring a knowledgeable consultant. Ricky also dispels common misconceptions around employment at will and right-to-work laws, underscoring the importance of understanding legal ...
Aug 16, 2024•15 min•Ep. 81
Are you waiting until a new hire's start date to begin the onboarding process? If so, you should reconsider! In this episode of Hire Calling, HR consultant Ricky Baez shares the importance of starting your onboarding process the moment a candidate applies and best practices for integrating new hires into your organization. Additionally, he will touch on ways you can leverage technology (especially AI) to streamline your processes and how to give candidates constructive feedback who didn't secure...
Aug 01, 2024•8 min•Ep. 80
In this episode, we explore the complexities of employee relations with HR consultant Ricky Baez. Topics include: 1. Understanding Employee Relations: The importance of respecting diverse personalities and maintaining a positive work environment. 2. Common Challenges: How differences in opinion and communication impact productivity. 3. Balancing Empathy and Strategy: Essential skills for HR professionals. 4. Navigating Sensitive Topics: Practical advice on handling politics and religion at work....
Jul 30, 2024•10 min•Ep. 79
On this episode, special guest Diane Prince shares her secrets of entrepreneurial success in the staffing industry. From her start as a temp to selling her thriving business, Diane’s story is all about vision, grit, and chasing your dreams. In our conversation with Diane, we explore her unique path as a solo founder, balancing independence with the power of partnerships. Learn how her creative approach to reference checks opened doors to unexpected opportunities, highlighting the underrated art ...
May 16, 2024•51 min•Ep. 78
Are you struggling to find and hire exceptional IT professionals? Sioux Logan is our special guest on this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast! She is the visionary founder and president of RedStream Technology, an IT staffing firm located in New York City. Immediately, you will be whisked into Sioux's world, revealing the raw, unfiltered experiences of launching a tech staffing firm from the ground up. Pete and Sioux begin by discussing the job market's post-pandemic seismic shifts, which have ...
Mar 14, 2024•48 min•Ep. 77
How does a team go from good to great? Kate O'Neill, CEO of Teaming, joins Pete today with an insider's perspective on how their team intelligence software revolutionizes how managers foster high-performing teams. From providing personalized communication coaching to enhancing interaction within diverse teams, Teaming's AI-driven platform is making waves in the professional world. Kate recounts the strategic decisions that helped her startup flourish before diving into the heart of why Teaming w...
Jan 24, 2024•54 min•Ep. 76
In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, learn how to scale your hiring efforts without sacrificing the human touch. Ricky and Pete dive into the fast-paced world of high-volume recruiting, whether it's building the perfect call center team or ramping up for the season. They discuss setting clear objectives, leveraging milestones, and balancing efficiency with a candidate experience that feels personal rather than automated. Pete and Ricky share how forward-thinking workforce managers use hi...
Dec 20, 2023•31 min•Ep. 75
Are you struggling with a high candidate drop-off rate during your recruitment process? In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete Newsome and Ricky Baez examine the pitfalls and consequences of a high candidate drop-off rate and offer insights on overcoming it. They also focus on the candidate's experience during the hiring process, as many withdraw due to disorganized procedures or a lack of engagement from the recruitment team. Pete and Ricky emphasize the importance of respect and tra...
Dec 13, 2023•34 min•Ep. 74
Is a prolonged hiring process preventing you from hiring great candidates? In this episode, Pete Newsome and Ricky Baez share tips for speeding up your hiring process. They highlight the delicate balance between practicality and accuracy in hiring. Additionally, they tackle issues like long hiring processes and high hiring costs for companies. The hosts then discuss how difficult it can be to manage a large number of applications. But thanks to AI, recruiters can sift through resumes more quickl...
Nov 30, 2023•42 min•Ep. 73
Are you tired of the never-ending cycle of hiring and searching for the perfect candidate? Do you wish there was a better way to find those hidden gems in the job market? In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, we're about to unveil the secret to recruiting top talent you might not even know you need – passive candidates. Join host Pete Newsome and co-host Ricky Baez as they demystify the world of passive recruiting. They'll explain what makes passive candidates unique, why they're worth yo...
Nov 09, 2023•39 min•Ep. 72
Are you afraid of what might happen when key leaders leave your organization? Worried about the impact of favoritism on succession planning? Stay tuned as in this episode of the Hire Calling podcast, your hosts, Pete Newsome and Ricky Baez, dive into the critical topic of succession planning in the world of hiring, staffing, and recruiting. With a particular focus on eight essential steps, Ricky, an HR consultant and college instructor, shares his expertise. He highlights why succession planning...
Oct 30, 2023•31 min•Ep. 71
Ready to revolutionize your recruitment approach? Prepare to tap into the often-overlooked power of soft skills as Pete Newsome and Ricky Baez guide you on redefining recruitment. This episode promises many insights into hiring based on intangible attributes and how they often carry more value than technical skills, particularly as one ascends the corporate hierarchy. Imagine discovering a candidate's emotional intelligence, teamwork skills, and cultural fit without stepping on legal landmines o...
Oct 13, 2023•40 min•Ep. 70
Have you ever wondered why you've never heard back after that promising job interview? Or maybe you're a recruiter wondering how to navigate the tricky terrain of giving feedback post-interview. This episode of the Hire Calling Podcast will illuminate these queries and much more. Staffing expert Pete Newsome and HR guru Ricky Baez discuss the challenges recruiters face when dealing with hiring managers, emphasizing the importance of keeping candidates informed throughout the recruitment process....
Oct 05, 2023•47 min•Ep. 69
After an interview, have you ever wondered if you uncovered the candidate's true potential? Wouldn't it be great if you could transform your interviewing skills to ensure you're hiring the best person for each role? Welcome to The Hire Calling Podcast, where Pete Newsome and Ricky will show you how to do just that! They are flipping the script on traditional interviewing practices and focusing on a conversational 80/20 ratio, where the candidate does most of the talking. To truly understand the ...
Sep 15, 2023•40 min•Ep. 68
Have you fully embraced recruitment marketing? Echo Gravity's Brian Jameson shares his insights on adapting your hiring strategy to the digital age. As a starting point, Pete and Brian discuss why the staffing industry has been slower to adopt digital recruitment compared to other industries. Afterward, they discuss the importance of maintaining the human touch in an increasingly virtual world. If you feel overwhelmed by the competitive world of SEO and digital marketing, you are not alone. Bria...
Aug 28, 2023•54 min•Ep. 67
Ready to revolutionize your hiring process and cultivate an exceptional candidate experience? Then this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast is for you! Join Pete Newsome and Ricky Baez, as they break down the anatomy of a memorable candidate experience from the first interaction to feedback collection. Learn how to make every step count, leverage your organization's website, and set clear expectations to define your brand. They will also guide you on how to turn the interview process into a clea...
Aug 08, 2023•31 min•Ep. 66
In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, hosts Pete and Ricky offer an in-depth exploration of how staffing agencies work. Despite their negative perception, Pete and Ricky prove how they can be valuable allies in recruitment. They start by explaining how staffing agencies and human resources departments can work hand in hand to streamline hiring processes to get faster and better results. Which ultimately leads to a more cost-effective alternative to exclusively in-house hiring. Additionall...
Jul 18, 2023•52 min•Ep. 65
Ever wonder how recruiters find the perfect candidate among hundreds of resumes? How they strike the just-right balance of speed and diligence? Let's go behind the scenes of efficient hiring as we talk about the art of reading resumes! On today's episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky share insights on the importance of resume screening. They discuss the critical elements that make up a well-crafted resume. Not only does reading resumes involve identifying candidates who are qualifi...
Jul 10, 2023•46 min•Ep. 64
Are you making the most of data and analytics when it comes to your recruiting process? On today’s episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky discuss the importance of understanding open positions' impact on your bottom line. They break down how to calculate the cost of an open position and consider if companies are willing to invest more to fill the position quickly. They also compare the advantages of job boards like Indeed, CareerBuilder, and ZipRecruiter and examine how cost per hir...
Jun 13, 2023•35 min•Ep. 63
Today’s episode of the Hire Calling Podcast is all about the executive recruitment process. Pete and Ricky talk through what an executive search is, how long the hiring process will take, and how to recruit for this type of position. Should you engage with a recruiting firm for an executive position or just hire in-house? We’ll let you decide after considering your resources and hearing the benefits! As Pete and Ricky explore the different assessment methods for evaluating leadership talent, the...
May 26, 2023•36 min•Ep. 62
