Take Initiative and Be Proactive to Make More Splits

How do you make more split placements in TE Network? That’s a great question!

And to get a great answer, I’ve interviewed the Director of Network Operations in Top Echelon, the one and only Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS.

We’ve switched Drea’s regular coffee with Folger’s Crystals. Let’s see if he can tell the difference . . .

“This is not just a system,” Drea said about membership in TE Network. “This is a community. And it works best when the people in it work intentionally—when they lead with quality, communicate consistently, and show up for each other.”

In a world where recruiters often juggle multiple responsibilities, it can be tempting to coast. But according to Drea, if you want to make more placements, earn the trust of partners, and grow your business, you have to take initiative and be proactive in every part of your work.

We shall now unpack Drea’s key insights and actionable takeaways to help YOU harness the full power of your TE Network membership!

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A Network, Not Just a Tool

One of the first points Drea clarified is the true nature of TE Network.

“When you first joined,” he said, “you probably had some preconceived idea—maybe it was just software. But the reality is, this is a vetted community of recruiters, and the people in it range from one to 50 years of experience.”

That diversity of background and perspective is one of the Network’s greatest strengths. But it also means success requires effort. Drea emphasized that it’s not just about plugging in job orders and waiting for results—it’s about interacting, building relationships, and being intentional with every action.

“This is a place where people work full desks and share candidates and jobs to become the hero to their clients,” Drea said. “You might not fill every job you take on your own—but when you share it, you’re increasing your odds of success exponentially.”

At its core, TE Network is a tool enabled by people—and people are the engine of opportunity. Which brings us to the first of four Pillars that support success in the Network: Quality.

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Quality: Your Reputation Begins Here

“Everything starts with Quality,” Drea stated. “It’s the first Pillar because without it, none of the others work.”

But what does quality really mean? In a recruiting context, it’s not just about the number of candidates submitted or jobs posted—it’s about how well you prepare, present, and deliver.

“Quality is the degree of excellence of something,” Drea said. “It’s how your work measures up to others doing similar work. Are you just checking boxes? Or are you creating something that stands out?”

Drea referenced a quote from Enzo Ferrari to drive the point home: “I want to make every car that bears my name a work of art.”

He challenged recruiters to adopt the same mindset. Every submission, every phone call, every email—should be something you’re proud to put your name on.

Here’s where quality shows up most visibly in the Network:

• Your Recruiter Profile: “This is your first impression,” Drea said. “If there’s no photo, no information, it’s hard for others to want to work with you. It only takes five minutes to make it right—why wouldn’t you do it?”

• Your Agency Profile: For firm owners, this matters even more. “Your team represents you. If you’re not insisting they complete their profiles, you’re missing a huge opportunity to build credibility in the Network.”

• Shared Jobs: Drea was candid here: “Don’t just drop a job order in with one or two sentences. Tell the story. If your description doesn’t hook the reader, they won’t bite. And don’t copy/paste a client’s website. Make it your own so it has identity.”

• Candidate Submittals: Before submitting, ask: “Would I send this candidate to my own client?” If not, don’t send them at all. Drea was especially blunt about this point: “Desperation never leads to good submissions. Only send your best.”

Quality isn’t a checkbox—it’s a habit. And it’s the cornerstone of trust in a network built on relationships.

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Communication: Say It Like You Mean It

The second Pillar Drea focused on was Communication—and specifically, the need for clear, consistent, and courteous contact between recruiters in the Network.

“Your success in TE Network lives and dies by your ability to communicate professionally,” he said. “And too often, I see members fall short here.”

He laid out a simple framework for communication etiquette—especially when reaching out to potential trading partners:

• Always state your name and that you’re a TE Network member.

• Clearly reference the job title you’re calling about.

• Follow up voicemails with emails, and vice versa.

• Don’t assume others are ignoring you—they may simply be overwhelmed.

“Most agencies in our Network are small,” Drea said. “The average size is about 2.5 recruiters. That means they’re doing their own sourcing, business development, admin work, and invoicing. Give people a reasonable window to respond.”

He also emphasized reciprocity: “If you’re an importer and someone submits a candidate, call them back—even if it’s a no. Silence damages relationships.”

In a network like Top Echelon, where trust is the currency, poor communication is costly. But great communication? It builds loyalty and opens doors.

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Participation: Don’t Just Watch—Engage

If Quality is the foundation and Communication is the fuel, then participation is the engine that moves you forward. Drea encouraged recruiters to think beyond passive use of the platform.

“This isn’t a place to just post jobs and hope,” he said. “It’s a system built on interaction. You have to get in, reach out, and follow up.”

Drea addressed a common concern: “What if I’ve been posting jobs and I’m not getting candidates?”

His advice: “Look at the jobs you’re posting. Are they complete? Do they include fees, guarantees, and enough detail to spark interest? If they do and you’re still not getting traction, call us. We’ll help you find members to work with.”

In other words, the best recruiters don’t wait for others to come to them—they go find partners and build collaboration. They follow up. They nudge. They build relationships through consistent outreach and visibility.

Participation also means showing up to events, forums, and training. “The members who attend our conventions or webinars are often the highest performers,” Drea said. “Why? Because they’re plugged in. They’re investing in the Network—and in themselves.”

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Accountability: Start with You

Taking initiative also means taking responsibility. Drea tackled this topic head-on when addressing a frequent complaint: “What do I do when a member never calls me back?”

His response? “First, look at yourself. What messages are you sending? Are they clear? Are they professional? Are you offering something of value?”

He cautioned against assuming the worst about others. “Sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes people are overloaded. But if you’ve done everything right—left a good message, followed up, sent a clear email—then by all means, reach out to me. I’ll help you reconnect.”

But the key lesson here is one of personal ownership. Drea urged recruiters to treat every action—every message, every submittal, every job post—as a reflection of their professionalism.

“If you don’t have time to do it right the first time,” he said, “you sure don’t have time to do it a second or third. Because sometimes, you don’t get a second chance.”

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The Practical Checklist: How to Show Up Like a Pro

Drea offered several tactical suggestions that boil down to this: successful recruiters take initiative in the small things, not just the big moves.

Here’s a summary of habits that reflect proactive professionalism:

• Before Submitting a Candidate:

  • Read the entire job description.

  • Evaluate fit honestly—are they 80% or better?

  • Ask: “Would I submit this to my own client?”

• Before Posting a Job:

  • Include a compelling narrative, not just requirements.

  • Provide guarantee, fee, and client responsiveness.

  • Double-check for spelling, formatting, and clarity.

• When Reaching Out:

  • Always say your name and that you’re a TE member.

  • Be specific about the job or candidate you’re referencing.

  • Follow up if you don’t get a response within 24–48 hours.

• When Receiving a Submission:

  • Respond promptly—even with a “not a fit” note.

  • If you’re busy, set expectations for when you’ll review.

  • Respect the work your partner put in.

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Know the Rules, Play the Game

Lastly, Drea emphasized the importance of understanding TE Network’s policies and platform mechanics.

“There’s a whole section on your dashboard with policies and guidelines,” he said. “If you don’t know the rules of engagement, you’re flying blind.”

He also encouraged members to offer feedback. “If you’ve got a great software idea—something that could benefit the whole Network—send it to feedback@topechelon.com. We listen.”

This final point reinforces the overriding them: being proactive doesn’t just improve your own performance. It improves the entire community.

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Final Thought: Lead by Example

Everything in TE Network is built on interaction—and interaction is built on trust. Trust is built on Quality, Communication, and initiative. Drea’s message was clear:

“Ask yourself before you hit submit: Is this what I want representing my name?”

Because in the end, being proactive isn’t just about getting results—it’s about being someone others want to work with. And in a Network like this, that’s everything.

So show up.

Take ownership.

Communicate well.

Share only your best.

That’s how you go from filling jobs to building a legacy.