Leverage the Network to Finish 2025 Strong

We’ve just turned the corner into the second half of 2025, and for many recruiters in TE Network, the first six months have brought more than their fair share of challenges.

Between economic shifts, hesitant hiring managers, longer decision-making cycles, and inconsistent job orders, it’s been a time that’s tested even the most seasoned search professionals. If you’ve felt some of that pressure this year, I want you to know: you’re not alone.

But I also want you to hear this clearly—this is not the time to retreat. This is the time to refocus, re-engage, and fully leverage the tools and relationships available to you through your TE Network membership.

A Shared Network Is a Stronger Network

One of the greatest advantages of TE Network is that it was built for times like these. The idea is simple, but powerful: no recruiter is an island. When individual members connect, collaborate, and share—their jobs, their candidates, their insights—everyone benefits.

That’s why I want to start this message with a clear call to action:

Share all of your job orders with the Network.

Why? Because when you share jobs with other TE recruiters, you’re tapping into the collective horsepower of the Network. You’re inviting dozens, even hundreds, of other professionals to help you find the right candidate, faster.

In markets where time-to-fill is critical, where clients are fickle, and where speed matters more than ever, this simple step could mean the difference between a filled placement and a lost opportunity.

Let’s take a closer look at how you can turn your membership into momentum for the rest of the year.

Sharing Jobs: Why It’s the #1 Way to Increase Revenue

We track trends here at Top Echelon, and one thing is consistently clear: the recruiters who routinely share their job orders generate more placements and higher billings.

Why? Because shared jobs mean:

• Increased exposure: Other recruiters may have candidates on deck that match your job perfectly, but they’ll never know unless they see your opening.

• Faster sourcing: Rather than waiting for your internal database or outreach to catch up, you can access a wider talent pool immediately.

• Win-win partnerships: A recruiter who brings the candidate for your job earns a split. You earn a filled placement. Everyone wins, and your client gets the talent they need.

There’s no downside to sharing. It doesn’t dilute your business; it amplifies it.

Build and Nurture Split Relationships

Sharing jobs is only one part of the equation. Building solid split relationships is the other.

Take the time to identify who in the Network works in your niche. Who has the kinds of candidates your jobs require? Who’s actively placing? Start conversations. Reach out with specifics. Ask about their candidates, and offer yours in return.

Some of the most successful recruiters in our Network aren’t just posting jobs. they’re cultivating partnerships. They know who they trust. They follow up. They communicate. And because of that, they close deals together consistently.

If you’ve been flying solo this year, it might be time to start flying with a partner.

Use the Tools to Your Advantage

TE Network isn’t just a community; it’s a system built for results. And if you haven’t explored all the tools available to you recently, now is the time to dive in . . .

• Job Alerts: Get real-time updates when new jobs match your candidates.

• Network Candidates Database: Access millions of candidate profiles.

• Pipeline: Match and manage candidates more efficiently within shared searches.

• Discussion Forum: Ask for help, share advice, and learn from your peers.

• Alerts and Messaging: Stay connected to your Network partners and get notified of new opportunities instantly.

Every tool was designed to help you reduce time-to-fill and increase placements. But they only work if you work them.

Be Transparent, Be Prompt, Be Professional

One of the most underrated best practices in the Network is professional courtesy. It’s also one of the most powerful ways to build long-term value.

When you share a job, include all the details your partners need to succeed: must-have qualifications, interview timelines, client preferences, compensation ranges. This transparency helps your partners send better-matched candidates and helps you fill the job more quickly.

Likewise, respond to submittals quickly. Communicate candidate feedback. Let your split partners know where they stand in the process. These small things build trust, encourage more collaboration, and set you up for repeated success.

Don’t Wait for the Market—Go After It

It’s easy to become reactive when things slow down. But in recruiting, passivity is costly. The top producers in the Network didn’t get there by waiting for ideal conditions. They act. They connect. They stay visible.

If your clients aren’t sending you as many orders, go deeper. Ask them what’s changed. Offer solutions, even if it means taking a different approach. Use the time to expand your network, sharpen your candidate pipelines, and partner with other recruiters who are still getting jobs in your niche.

Even if you’re not placing today, you’re planting seeds for tomorrow.

2025 Is Still Yours to Win

Yes, the first half of 2025 may have been tough. But the second half? That’s unwritten. There are still clients to serve, placements to make, commissions to earn, and partnerships to build.

But here’s the key: you don’t have to do it alone.

TE Network exists for one reason: to help you succeed with others. Every shared job, every placed candidate, every new relationship strengthens the collective. And the more you give to the Network, the more you get back.

So if you’re ready to make the second half of 2025 your strongest yet, start with this simple step . . .

Share your jobs. Leverage the Network. And let’s finish the year strong—together.