At Top Echelon, we’ve always believed that success in recruiting isn’t just about filling jobs—it’s about continuous learning, building strong relationships, and staying on the cutting edge of industry trends.

Mark Demaree

That’s why I’m proud to say that Top Echelon is once again a sponsor of the upcoming National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS) Conference on June 8 through June 10—and why we’ve been a long-time supporter of NAPS.

If you’re still on the fence about attending, let me give you 10 compelling reasons why this year’s conference is a can’t-miss opportunity for recruiters, firm owners, and staffing professionals alike:

1. An Agenda That Delivers Real Value

The 2025 NAPS Conference is packed with sessions that go beyond theory and focus on actionable insights. Whether you want to implement cutting-edge tech, grow your firm, sharpen your compliance strategies, or close more deals, the agenda has something for everyone.

Sessions like “Tech-Powered Recruiting: Work Smarter, Not Harder” by Top Echelon’s own Todd Bossler or “The AI Advantage” by Benjamin Mena, are designed to help you elevate your day-to-day effectiveness with practical takeaways you can implement right away.

2. A Community of High-Caliber Recruiters

There’s no substitute for being in a room with like-minded professionals who are committed to excellence. The NAPS Conference attracts some of the most driven and innovative recruiters in the industry—from solo practitioners to leaders of nationally recognized search firms.

It’s a place where knowledge is shared freely and relationships are formed that often lead to lasting partnerships—or even split placements down the road.

3. Incredible Keynote Speakers

This year’s keynote lineup is stacked with powerhouse names. You’ll hear from leaders like Mark Whitby, an international coaching expert known for inspiring recruiters to think bigger, and Greg Doersching, a perennial favorite whose sessions are as insightful as they are energizing.

When you leave a keynote at NAPS, you’re not just motivated—you’re armed with strategies to make an immediate impact.

4. Live Learning from Top Producers

If you’ve ever wanted to get inside the minds of the best in the business, the Closing Pinnacle Panel is your chance. Featuring some of the top billers in the U.S.—including members of the Pinnacle Society—this session is packed with proven strategies that are working right now.

You’ll hear what’s actually driving placements, how elite recruiters handle clients and candidates, and the habits that consistently lead to million-dollar desks.

5. Focus on Technology Without the Overwhelm

Let’s face it—technology is evolving fast, and it’s not always easy to keep up. That’s why sessions like Todd Bossler’s are so valuable. His breakout will help you cut through the noise and apply tools in ways that actually improve your workflow—not complicate it.

And with other tech-forward presentations on AI, automation, and funnel optimization, you’ll walk away with a modern, streamlined approach to recruiting.

6. Exclusive Workshops for Firm Owners

For those who lead teams, the Owner Workshop with Mike Lejeune is a fantastic opportunity to take a step back, strategize, and focus on scaling your business intentionally.

These sessions are high-level, high-impact, and full of proven ideas from someone who’s helped countless owners grow and thrive.

7. Insights from Leading Industry Trainers

From Barb Bruno’s tactics for high performance to Brad Bialy’s session on what the best recruiters do differently, the NAPS Conference gathers the most respected trainers and consultants under one roof.

These aren’t fluff-filled presentations—they’re data-driven, field-tested insights you won’t find anywhere else.

8. Women in Staffing Spotlight

We’re excited to see continued focus on empowering women in recruiting with the Women in Staffing and Recruiting Lunch hosted by Barb Bruno.

This is more than a networking opportunity—it’s a platform for sharing stories, mentorship, and practical strategies to advance equity and leadership in our industry.

9. Compliance, Contracts, and Legal Know-How

Legal and compliance issues continue to evolve, and staffing professionals need to stay informed. The NAPS Conference includes critical updates on employment law and how to turn compliance into a competitive advantage—especially in sessions like “Bridging the Gap” and “2025 Employment Law Updates.”

Staying compliant isn’t just about protecting your firm—it’s a powerful sales tool when positioned correctly.

10. Fun, Networking, and Community

Let’s not forget: conferences should be enjoyable, too! From the Welcome Party to the high-energy NAPS Disco, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with peers in a relaxed and social atmosphere.

Some of the best business deals, partnerships, and friendships I’ve seen over the years started with a casual conversation at a NAPS event.

Experience the Value of NAPS

We talk a lot at Top Echelon about how relationships, integrity, and continuous improvement are the foundation of a successful recruiting career. The NAPS Conference checks all of those boxes—and more.

That’s why we’re proud to sponsor this year’s event. It’s not just about brand presence; it’s about showing up for the industry that we’ve been serving since 1988. It’s about supporting the recruiters and firm owners who continue to drive results in an ever-changing landscape.

Register for the 2025 NAPS Conference!

If you’ve attended NAPS before, you know the value that it brings. If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to make 2025 your year. Invest in yourself, your team, and your future by joining us in June.

Let’s connect in person. Let’s learn from the best. And let’s keep raising the bar for what’s possible in recruiting.

See you in June!

I’m pleased to announce the Virtual Core Group (VCG) meeting schedule for the month of May!

Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS

For those of you who don’t know, TE Network recruiters share the following information during Virtual Core Group teleconference call meetings:

• Hot job orders and candidates
• Information about the activity they’re seeing in the marketplace and/or in their niche
• Ideas for increased production on their desks and within their agencies

These are the activities that lead most directly to making more split placements in TE Network.

So that is why I’m inviting—or in other words, strongly encouraging—you to attend one of May’s Virtual Core Group meetings. Below is the complete VCG schedule for May, including the industries involved and the time that each meeting will be held. (Note: all times are Eastern.)

Thursday, May 8:

• 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. — Architectural/Engineering/Construction
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. — Accounting & Finance

Tuesday, May 13:

• 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. — Law & Legal Services
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. — Sales & Marketing

Wednesday, May 14:

• 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. — Manufacturing & Engineering
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. — Information Technology
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — BioTech and Pharma

You can join the meeting to which you belong by accessing the information listed below.

Google Meeting link: https://meet.google.com/qba-qdic-kou

Below is the agenda for each Virtual Core Group meeting:

1. Welcome
2. Roll call of the members
3. I will share the latest software updates for both TE Network and the Top Echelon recruiting software (also known as TE Recruit).
4. Members will share their hot jobs with corresponding group discussion.
5. I will direct a software and Network protocol Q&A session to close the call.

It is my goal that this agenda will help you take away more from the meeting than just hot jobs and/or candidates. Hopefully, it will help make you more knowledgeable in terms of the Top Echelon community.

If you’d like to join one of the groups listed above or if you’d like to start a new group, please contact me.

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

Top Echelon Network (TE Network) is a high-trust, high-performance split placement community.

Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS

But like any professional tool or platform, you get out of it what you put into it. Joining the Network is only the first step—the real success comes from engaging intentionally, consistently, and strategically.

Whether you’re brand new to TE Network or looking to take your results to the next level, this guide covers the top best practices used by high-performing members.

These aren’t just tips—they’re proven habits that lead to more deals, better relationships, and faster results.

1. Be Active: Visibility = Opportunity

If there’s one golden rule in TE Network, it’s this: activity drives success.

The most successful members don’t sit back and wait for deals to come to them—they actively participate in the Network every week, if not every day.

How to Stay Active:

• Post your open jobs regularly: Keep listings fresh. A job that’s more than 90 days old will automatically expire unless refreshed.

• Upload strong candidates: Even if you don’t have an immediate match, other recruiters may.

• Update and maintain your profile: Keep your niche, specialties, and contact preferences current so others know how to work with you.

Why It Matters:

Recruiters who actively share candidates and jobs are far more likely to be contacted by others for split opportunities. If your data is stale or you’re invisible, no one knows you’re available to collaborate.

2. Set Smart Alerts: Your Competitive Edge

TE Network allows you to create custom search alerts that notify you the moment a matching job or candidate enters the system.

These alerts run automatically each morning at 4:00 AM Eastern Time and are based on the search criteria you save.

Examples of Useful Alerts:

• “Manufacturing Engineer jobs in the Midwest”

• “Candidates with PLC programming experience added in the last 30 days”

• “Biotech Project Manager roles with salaries over $120K”

How to Set It Up:

1. Perform your preferred search (for candidates or jobs).

2. Click “Save as Alert.”

3. Name it and set your notification preferences.

Why It Matters:

This is real-time intelligence delivered to your inbox before most recruiters have even had coffee. By reacting quickly, you can get your candidates in first—or grab a hot candidate before others even know they’re available.

3. Use the Platform Fully: Don’t Leave Tools on the Table

TE Network isn’t just a job board or a resume dump. It’s a full suite of tools designed to help you collaborate, track activity, and stay organized across split placements.

Key Platform Features to Use:

• Submission tracking: Monitor every candidate you submit and every job you engage with.

• Interview activity sharing: Keep your trading partner in the loop with scheduled calls, interviews, and feedback.

• Redacted resume previews: View candidate summaries with key data before requesting access.

• ATS integrations: Easily upload candidates from your ATS (ideally TE Recruit) and manage them within TE.

• Direct messaging and email tools: Stay in touch with partners in real time.

Why It Matters:

The more you work within the system, the easier it becomes to stay organized, resolve issues quickly, and close placements faster. Many members who’ve gone from passive to power-user status report major jumps in placement volume—simply by using the platform as intended.

4. Attend TE Events: Build Real-World Relationships

Twice a year, TE Network hosts in-person events that bring members together from across the country. These aren’t just fun social gatherings (though they are fun!)—they’re business accelerators.

What Happens at These Events:

• Relationship-building sessions

• Recruiter roundtables and niche-specific meetups

• Best practice workshops and success panels

• Open networking with recruiters who match your focus

Why It Matters:

Split placements rely on trust—and trust grows faster when you meet face-to-face.

Many TE Network members will tell you that their most productive split partners are people they met in person at a conference. One coffee or handshake can lead to dozens of deals down the line.

5. Follow the Rules: Structure Creates Safety

TE Network operates with a clear code of conduct that ensures fair play, trust, and professionalism.

These aren’t just guidelines—they’re enforced policies that protect your candidates, your commissions, and your credibility.

Key TE Network Policies:

• Candidate submission protocols: No recruiter can submit a candidate without an open, active job posted to the Network.

• Payment expectations: Split fees are clearly defined (47% to each recruiter, 6% to TE).

• Confidentiality requirements: No sharing of contact details or resumes outside of proper requests.

• Dispute resolution: An internal ethics board handles any issues that arise fairly and efficiently.

Why It Matters:

You can collaborate without fear because there’s a system in place to back you up. This creates a level playing field where good recruiters can focus on doing great work—not worrying about being taken advantage of.

Bonus Tips From Top Performers

If you really want to thrive in TE Network, here are a few habits of the most successful members:

1. Pick up the phone.

Don’t rely solely on email or system messages. Real connections start with a conversation.

2. Be responsive.

Return messages promptly. The faster you reply, the more likely your partner will want to work with you again.

3. Offer value.

Don’t just ask for help—be ready to give help. The more you contribute, the more others want to return the favor.

4. Choose your niche wisely.

Focus on jobs and candidates within your specialty. That’s where you’ll bring the most value—and earn the most trust.

Wrapping It All Up

Top Echelon Network is more than just a software tool or job board—it’s a professional ecosystem built on collaboration, integrity, and results.

If you want to thrive in TE Network, then follow the best practices that seasoned members use every day:

• Show up.
• Stay visible.
• Use the tools.
• Build relationships.
• Respect the structure.

Do those consistently, and you won’t just make more placements—you’ll build a scalable recruiting business that runs on trust, opportunity, and shared success.

If you have questions about this article or about your TE Network membership in general, you can contact me by calling 330.595.1742 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.

Recently in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog, I discussed  “Questions to Ask When Creating Job Alerts in TE.”

Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS

This week, I’m addressing another key step for achieving success within TE Network as an exporter. That step is a thorough understanding of the job description.

First, though, let me say that yes, I understand that you want to make split placements in our Network. I love the fact that you want to make split placements.

As such, I don’t want to dissuade you from doing so or dampen your enthusiasm.

Study the job description!

However, it’s important to not put too much of a burden on the job order recruiter. This is especially the case in a situation in which the job is not within your area of expertise.

That’s why you should study the job description to get a firm understanding of the position and the client’s needs.

If the job is NOT within your area of expertise, it’s recommended that you find a job that IS within your area. It’s not fair to expect the job order recruiter to “teach you” how to work and recruit in their niche. It is also not fair to expect them to look at submissions that are based on a lack of knowledge or experience in their niche.

I appreciate the fact that you want to work their jobs. However, if not handled properly, this can be counterproductive and quite possibly damage your relationship with that recruiter.

Potentially, it could become a big time waster, as well as a point of frustration for other recruiters. Nobody wants that, so exercise caution.

Instead, track down jobs that are in your area of expertise. Then take the time to thoroughly understand the job description. Find out exactly what the client wants and work to provide it.

That’s the first step toward filling that position and yet another step toward enjoying success as an exporter in Top Echelon’s recruiting network.

If you have any questions, you can contact me by calling 330.595.1742 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.

Top Echelon offers a free monthly webinar as part of its Expert Recruiter Coaching Series.

These webinars touch upon a variety of recruiter-related topics. These topics deal with both job candidates and clients. As always, our goal with these webinars is to help agency recruiters and search consultants just like YOU make more placements.

We record these webinars for recruiters who can’t attend the live presentation, and we’re now pleased to offer the video from our most recent webinar by Gary Stauble of The Recruiting Lab.

The title of that webinar (and corresponding training video) is “Stop Working for Free: Learn the Firewall Method.”

Below is the official description for this training video:

— — —

If you’re like most recruiters, more than 70% of your time is spent trying to please clients who will never pay a fee. Let that sink in.

Gary Stauble

The best recruiters never take on a search without ensuring that the client has “skin in the game.” The next webinar video in the Top Echelon Expert Recruiter Coaching Series by Gary Stauble of The Recruiting Lab will give you the exact steps to do just that!

You’ll learn how to filter out dead-end searches before you waste your precious time on them.

You’ll walk away from this session knowing:

• The Search Litmus Test – The #1 indicator that a search is worth your time
• The Firewall Method – 5 proven ways to lock in client commitment
• Pre-Close Strategies – How to get clients and candidates to follow through
• The 3 Crucial Stages of a Recruiter’s Development – Why most recruiters don’t break past Stage 2 (and how to fix it)

The difference between hustling for scraps and getting paid what you’re worth isn’t necessarily more calls or harder work—it’s choosing the right searches before you spend time on them.

And this training video will show you how!

Watch this FREE training video!

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Recorded versions of our Expert Recruiter Coaching Series of webinars are posted on our website as free online recruitment training courses in the Top Echelon Recruiter Training Library.

Keep an eye out for the next free webinar in our Expert Recruiter Coaching Series!