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Last week, we introduced Inbound Email Sync and what it is designed to do inside TE Recruit. This week, we have even better news: the feature is officially available for Professional Tier users with Microsoft integration!

Top Echelon Content and Communications Manager Matthew Deutsch

Matthew Deutsch

Since that is the case, the focus shifts from what it is to how it actually changes the way recruiters work every day. This new feature represents a shift in how communication is captured, organized, and used across the recruiting process.

However, before we get too far “into the weeds,” allow me to get to the good stuff first. Namely, how to connect your email account in TE Recruit and enable inbound syncing.

Click HERE to access the Top Echelon Help Center article that will walk you step-by-step through the process of doing so. And of course, you can always reach out to us if you have any questions about this or any other feature of the TE Recruit software.

Now that I’ve covered that, let’s continue with our regularly scheduled program . . .

From Manual Tracking To Automatic Visibility

For most recruiters, email has always been the center of activity. However, the applicant tracking system (ATS) has been where that activity needed to be documented. That disconnect created extra steps that were easy to delay or overlook.

Now, with Inbound Email Sync active for Microsoft users, incoming communication is automatically recorded. As a result, the system reflects real activity without requiring additional effort.

This means that what used to take several steps now happens instantly. More importantly, it happens consistently, which has always been the bigger challenge.

Stronger Collaboration Across Teams

One of the biggest benefits of automatic email capture is improved visibility. When communication is logged without gaps, every team member can see the full history tied to a candidate or client.

However, when logging depends on manual entry, that visibility becomes inconsistent. Important context can be missing, especially when multiple recruiters are involved or when someone is out of the office.

Inbound Email Sync helps eliminate those blind spots. As a result, teams can collaborate more effectively because everyone is working from the same complete and up to date information.

Better Candidate And Client Experience

Recruiting is built on relationships, and those relationships depend on timely and informed communication. When recruiters have full visibility into past conversations, they can respond more accurately and with greater confidence.

Therefore, not only does automatic email syncing save time, but it also improves the quality of interactions with both candidates and clients.

In addition, it reduces the chances of duplicate outreach or missed follow up. These are small issues that can have a large impact on how your organization is perceived.

A More Reliable System Of Record

An ATS is only as valuable as the data inside it. However, when data relies on manual entry, it becomes difficult to maintain accuracy over time.

Inbound Email Sync strengthens TE Recruit as a true system of record. Because communication is captured automatically, records become more complete and more dependable.

As a result, reporting improves, pipeline visibility becomes clearer, and decision making is based on better information. This creates long term value beyond day to day convenience.

What Microsoft Users Are Experiencing Now

Professional Tier users who have integrated their Microsoft email can see these benefits in action starting today! Incoming messages can be logged automatically, reducing administrative workload and improving consistency.

However, this also highlights an important point. The real impact of this feature becomes clear through daily use, not just initial setup.

As recruiters rely on the system more, they begin to see how much time is saved and how much cleaner their data becomes. Over time, this leads to a more efficient workflow overall.

What Google Workspace Users Should Expect

While Microsoft users now have access, Google Workspace integration is still in development. This means that not all Professional Tier users are experiencing Inbound Email Sync yet.

However, progress is being made, and availability for Google users is expected in the near future. The goal is to deliver the same seamless experience across both platforms.

In the meantime, teams using Google Workspace can prepare by reviewing their current processes and identifying where automation will have the greatest impact once it becomes available.

The Ongoing Benefits of This Feature

Inbound Email Sync is about aligning TE Recruit more closely with how recruiters actually work.

Email will always be a primary communication channel. Therefore, bringing that communication directly into TE Recruit without extra effort is a meaningful improvement.

As more users adopt this feature, it will help standardize workflows, improve data quality, and reduce administrative burden across the board.

The Bigger Picture For TE Recruit

This release also reflects a broader direction for TE Recruit. The goal is to reduce friction wherever possible and create a more connected experience for users.

Inbound Email Sync is one step in that direction. It builds on existing functionality and moves the platform closer to a fully integrated communication system.

As additional enhancements are introduced, the focus will remain on helping recruiters spend less time managing data and more time making placements.

Looking Ahead

For Professional Tier users with Microsoft accounts, now is the time to take full advantage of Inbound Email Sync. The sooner it becomes part of your daily workflow, the greater the impact you will see.

For Google Workspace users, access is coming. When it arrives, it will bring the same level of efficiency and visibility that Microsoft users are already experiencing.

And if you’re not using the Professional Tier of TE Recruit, then this is the perfect time to upgrade! The cost is just $20 more per user per month, and if you choose the annual plan and pay for a year in advance, the cost savings is such that you’re getting the Professional Tier at Standard Tier monthly prices. (Your rep can explain this in detail, if you need more clarification.)

Upgrade to the Professional Tier of TE Recruit!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at support@topechelon.com.

Congratulations are in order!

Top Echelon Content and Communications Manager Matthew Deutsch

Matthew Deutsch

Why, you might ask? Because TE Network recruiters are making split placements, and not only that, but one of those splits resulted in a recruiting fee of $36,250.

So the congratulations for that particular split placement (and subsequent recruiting fee) goes to Clint Martz of A to Z Search Group and Lisa Vella Puff of L.V. Enterprises. Clint and Lisa placed a Senior Packaging Engineer to earn their hefty fee at 25%.

However, that is not the only congratulations that are in order this week in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog. That’s because this was Lisa’s first split placement as a member of TE Network. And she wasn’t alone, either. Mike Miosek of MDS Staffing also made his first Network split, placing a Mechanical Designer with Brad Dodge of iLocatum Recruiting to earn a fee of $19,552.

As a friendly neighborhood reminder, here is the information that we publish with our split placements:

  • Names of the trading partners involved (with their profile photos, when available)
  • Job title
  • Overall placement fee (before TE Network’s 6% brokerage fee, of course)
  • Fee percentage

Please note that the placements listed below reflect deals finalized in TE Network for the period from April 6 through April 19, 2026.

Remember, if you don’t want information related to your split placements published in The Pinnacle, please send an email to marketing@topechelon.com to that effect.

Once again, congratulations to everybody below for the split placements they made in TE Network!

This Week’s Split Placements

— — —

Job recruiter: Mike Miosek of MDS Staffing

Candidate recruiter: Brad Dodge of iLocatum Recruiting

Job title: MECHANICAL DESIGNER III

Overall placement fee: $19,552

Fee percentage: 20%

— — —

Job recruiter: Aldin Beslagic of BestLogic Staffing

Candidate recruiter: Brad Dodge of iLocatum Recruiting

Job title: PLANT MANAGER

Overall placement fee: $26,000

Fee percentage: 20%

— — —

Job recruiter: Brian Gruen of Gruen Search Consultants, Inc.

Candidate recruiter: Steve Kohn of Affinity Executive Search, Inc.

Job title: ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE MANAGER

Overall placement fee: $15,000

Fee percentage: 20%

— — —

Job recruiter: Jill Kohler Easley of Easley Resource Group Inc.

Candidate recruiter: Hani Mussa of Knowhirematch, LLC

Job title: MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Overall placement fee: $27,500

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

Job recruiter: Sherry Umpleby of Innovative Search Solutions

Candidate recruiter: Petrina Orecchio of Bellwether Staffing Solutions

Job title: TALENT ACQUISITION SPECIALIST – MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING

Overall placement fee: $21,000

Fee percentage: 20%

— — —

Job recruiter: Maria Hemminger of MJ Recruiters, LLC

Candidate recruiter: Anna Race of Verus Recruiting Consultants Inc.

Job title: PRODUCTION PLANNER/SCHEDULER

Overall placement fee: $34,500

Fee percentage: 30%


— — —

Job recruiter: Clint Martz of A to Z Search Group

Candidate recruiter: Lisa Vella Puff of L.V. Enterprises

Job title: SENIOR PACKAGING ENGINEER

Overall placement fee: $36,250

Fee percentage: 25%

— — —

If you’re a newer TE Network member and you’d like to enjoy more success in our recruiter network, then I encourage you to contact Top Echelon Director of Network Operations Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS.

You can do so by calling 330.595.1742 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.

So far in 2026, I have presented some quick tips for more success in TE Network. And this week, I’ll be in sunny Florida for TE Connect Spring 2026 . . .

But I still have some quick tips for achieving more success in our split fee recruiting network!

As I’ve stated before, success in the Network results from a combination of proficiency with both human interaction and technology, including Top Echelon’s recruiting database of candidates and job orders.

(For specific questions about Top Echelon software and/or technology, the Help Center is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide assistance.)

With all of this in mind, here are more quick tips for Top Echelon Network success!

Tip #1: THIS is When to Break Communication

TE Network urges recruiters to break the chain of communication with a candidate for a period of no less than 18 months after:

  • The candidate is placed in a direct hire position.
  • The placement fee is received and split between the two recruiters.
  • The guarantee period is satisfied.

Assuming the chain of communication was broken, if that candidate decides on their own after 18 months to initiate contact with either of the recruiters, that is their prerogative.

— — —

Tip #2: Create Alerts to Keep Yourself Up-to-Date

You can create a Hot Job Alert based solely on the major discipline codes of your area of specialization. This will keep you up-to-date on what is happening in your community and who is active in that niche.

Not only that, but you can also set up Candidate Alerts and Recruiter Alerts.

— — —

Tip #3: Practice Professional Courtesy

Always treat all TE Network members and TE Network candidates with respect and professional courtesy. Specifically, provide feedback and maintain professionalism with ALL correspondence.

In other words, treat them the way you would like to be treated.

— — —

If you want to be more successful in the Network right NOW, then please contact me.

You can do so by calling 330.455.1433, x156 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.

At Top Echelon, we want our Network members to enjoy more success. And by more success, we mean more placements.

And because I like cake almost as much as life itself, I’m going to use that as our analogy. In other words, we’re going to build a Network “success cake” with this blog post. Layer upon layer of sugary, frosting-filled placement check goodness (complete with a secret ingredient).

Sound good? Great! Let’s get started. Below is a four-step blueprint for success in our recruiter network:

#1—Quality candidates

This is where it all starts. High-auality candidates are in short supply in today’s marketplace, regardless of the current state of the economy.

BUT that’s where your split recruiting partners enter the picture. They can provide the type of candidates that your clients are seeking—and want to hire!

#2—Quality screening of those candidates

Quality candidates are just the beginning. You must also screen those candidates thoroughly.

That way, the candidates you present to your split partners are as close to a fit as possible. This represents layer upon layer of quality . . . in our cake.

#3—Quality prepping of those candidates

Add another layer to the quality cake!

Once your client wants to start interviewing candidates, your split partners will prep those candidates completely. This further increases the chances of making the placement.

#4—Confidence

Effective branding isn’t what you say you’re going to do . . . it’s what you actually do.

And when you act with quality throughout the entire recruiting process and that quality leads directly to making placements, you’ve branded yourself as somebody who instills confidence in your partners.

So what’s the “secret ingredient”? Quality, of course. Quality happens to be one of The Four Pillars of TE Network.

The more you act with quality, the more split placements you can make!

If YOU want to experience more Network success, then contact Top Echelon Director of Network Operations Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS.

You can do so by calling 330.595.1742 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.

Top Echelon Training and Support Manager Todd Bossler recently conducted a special TE Recruit Training Tuesday webinar titled, “Tags and Organization for Power Users in TE Recruit.”

Top Echelon Content and Communications Manager Matthew Deutsch

Matthew Deutsch

You may have attended this free webinar on Tuesday, April 7. On the other hand, you may not have been in attendance.

Regardless, we have the recorded version of the webinar, which I am presenting to you now. (The recording is also located in the Top Echelon Help Center.)

If you are not a user of our recruiting software, TE Recruit, then check out the video, anyway, to see how the software could benefit your recruiting desk and agency.

We at Top Echelon are continually working to make the resources that we provide to our customers better, and this is yet more proof!

Below is the official description of this training video:

— — —

Todd Bossler

Todd Bossler

Organization is at the heart of every successful recruiting workflow. However, as TE Recruit continues to evolve, the way we use tools like Tags, Hotlists, and AI has evolved with it. If it’s been a few years since you’ve revisited your tagging strategy, you may be missing opportunities to streamline your process and work more efficiently.

That’s why during this FREE Training Tuesday webinar video, Top Echelon Training and Support Manager Todd Bossler will take a fresh look at how Tags fit into today’s TE Recruit environment. He’ll explore updated best practices, smarter ways to stay organized, and how modern features can work together to support stronger search results and better day-to-day productivity.

Whether you’re looking to clean up legacy data, simplify your system, or align your organization strategy with newer tools, this webinar will provide practical insights to help you bring structure back to your database.

So watch this FREE training video and get ready for a strategic Tags refresh in TE Recruit!

Watch this TE Recruit training video!

— — —

Remember to check The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog every week for more updates regarding Top Echelon software improvements and upgrades.

If you have any questions about how you can maximize your TE Network membership, please contact Director of Network Operations Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS.

You can do so by calling 330.595.1742 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.