This man has worked in the recruiting profession since 1996. This man has been a member of Top Echelon’s recruiting network for over 20 years. And he’s made 76 Network placements since joining TE.

This man’s unique insight, worldview, and sense of humor have made the TE Discussion Forum a more interesting place for the past 18 years. This man is John Zurek of Zurek Professional Resources, LLC and he is the first member in the history of Top Echelon to be named the Recruiter of Next Week!

Anybody who knows John should not be surprised by this. Why is he the Recruiter of Next Week? Because he was busy this week. As you can see, John puts a high premium on common sense. So when you see there is no Recruiter of the Week in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog next week, remember that it’s actually John.

(You might argue that John has, in effect, made himself the Recruiter of the Week for two different weeks, not one. If you were to argue this, then you would sum up the genius that is John Zurek.)

John Zurek: work, not worry

But enough of me talking about John. We call John to the stage to talk about John, specifically about his success as a member of Top Echelon Network:

“I was honored to receive notification that I was named Recruiter of the Week. I have been a TEN member for more than 22 years, which is more than 1,100 weeks. Apparently, TE is finally getting to the bottom of the list of 1,100 members.

“It is OK. I have been a faithful member of the network and enjoyed the continual learning experiences with members and enjoyed the relationships which have come and gone for whatever reasons. New ones keep arising and I feel good about that.

“For as jovial and disconnected from the stress of recruiting I may seem to be, I truly paid my dues in emotions. While working with affiliates who were desperate in attitude and tone, it was apparent that I was not alone. I found relief in this simple strategy similar to the Field of Dreams mystical voice, ‘If you build it . . .’

“‘If you work, you will experience success.’ Too simple? Taking it a step further, let’s add ‘If you worry, you will be miserable.’ The theory is this: Work your day to the best of your ability. Shut it down at 5 p.m. The next day, work your day to the best of your ability. Repeat for 20+ years. Results will reflect how hard and smart you work.

“I lost faith in worrying. It has yet to serve me and it will always hurt me. If you invest the mind power in worrying, you can instead invest the mind power in working. Which one will produce the results you want?”

JZ, AV29 (like there is another JZ, right?)

So congratulations to John Zurek for being named Recruiter of Next Week and everybody who made split placements this week!

If you’d like to know how YOU can enjoy more Network success, please contact Director of Network Operations Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS. You can do so by calling 330.455.1433, x156 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.

This Week’s TE Split Placements

— — —

Job recruiter: John Zurek of Zurek Professional Resources, LLC

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

Job title: MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

Fee percentage: 20%

Action causing split placement: Offline communication with a member

— — —

Job recruiter: John Zurek of Zurek Professional Resources, LLC

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

Job title: MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

Fee percentage: 20%

Action causing split placement: Offline communication with a member

— — —

Job recruiter: Lois Rupkey of Byrnes & Rupkey, Inc.

Candidate recruiter: Trey Cameron of Cameron Craig Group

Job title: PROJECT ENGINEER

Fee percentage: 25%

Action causing split placement: Network Jobs Feed

— — —

Job recruiter: Eric Dickerson of Gulfstream Strategic Placements, LLC

Candidate recruiter: Trey Cameron of Cameron Craig Group

Job title: PROJECT MANAGER

Fee percentage: 20%

Action causing split placement: Network Jobs Feed

— — —

Job recruiter: Michael Agen of New Solutions Group, LLC

Candidate recruiter: Trey Cameron of Cameron Craig Group

Job title: RN HOME CARE CASE MANAGER

Fee percentage: 17%

Action causing split placement: Network Jobs Feed

— — —

Job recruiter: Steve Schanz, CPC of CPS Recruitment

Candidate recruiter: Justin Bidwell of Bidwell & Associates, LLC

Job title: PRINCIPLE QUALITY ENGINEER

Fee percentage: 20%

Action causing split placement: Offline communication with a member

— — —

Job recruiter: Joseph Cunliffe of Five Star Consulting

Candidate recruiter: Barry Showe of Showe and Associates, LLC

Job title: PATIENT SAFETY/RISK MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Fee percentage: 20%

Action causing split placement: Offline communication with a member

— — —

Job recruiter: Vern Fuller of Knightsource, LLC

Candidate recruiter: Stacy Daves of Global Talent Resources Corp.

Job title: PROCESS ENGINEER

Fee percentage: 20%

Action causing split placement: Offline communication with a member

— — —

Job recruiter: Michael Agen of New Solutions Group, Inc.

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

Job title: NURSE LIAISON HOME CARE

Fee percentage: 17%

Action causing split placement: Network Jobs Feed

— — —

Job recruiter: Lloyd E. Shoemaker of Miami Professional Search, Inc.

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

Job title: PROJECT MANAGER

Fee percentage: 25%

Action causing split placement: Offline communication with a member

When you hear about contract-to-direct arrangements, you usually hear about how client companies use them to “test drive” candidates.

These arrangements give companies the chance to see a potential new hire “in action.” That way, they don’t have to just depend on the typical interview and hiring process to determine the right fit. They can evaluate a candidate’s skills and work ethic before making a direct hire commitment.

However, it’s not just companies that are nervous about new employment relationships. According to a number of different reports conducted in recent years, only about half of hires are confident in their decision to take a new job.

Contract-to-direct is in effect

A big reason for this uncertainty is that employers fail to paint a realistic picture of the job. Companies that provide “realistic job previews” typically have higher percentages of new hires who feel good about accepting the job offer.

Contract-to-direct arrangements are the ultimate realistic job previews. Candidates can try the job first and get a “behind-the-scenes” look at the company. That way, they can determine if it’s a cultural fit for them. And for those considering relocation, it allows them to try the geographic location, as well, before they sell their house and move their families.

Some may view contract-to-direct arrangements as just another hoop candidates have to jump through to get hired. But in reality, it’s an audition for both the candidate AND the company. It’s an audition to determine if they meet each other’s needs before they make the direct hire commitment.

By providing the contract-to-direct option to your clients and candidates, you can help both parties make a decision they can feel good about.

This is what becoming a sole-source provider is all about. You provide ALL of the solutions to your clients’ hiring problems. Then, they will always come to you when they have a need.

Are YOU ready for contract staffing solutions or contract placement services?

Then download our Quick-Start Guide to Contract Staffing. Or request a demo with one of our contract staffing specialists.

You can can also call us at 888.627.3678. Start making contract placements and start making more money!

One of the arguments against making split placements is that it dilutes one’s recruiter fees. However, as the Network members below can attest, that argument does not “hold water.”

That’s because, as you can see, the amount of the recruiter fees that these members have made is substantial. The top 10 fees in the second quarter totaled $395,800. That’s an average placement fee of $39,580.

It doesn’t matter if you’re splitting a fee if that fee is close to $40K, now does it? (Especially if you would NOT have made the placement or the fee without a trading partner.)

In addition to the largest fee of the quarter ($56,250), we’d like to mention Network members Tim Piccini and Bob Millman. That’s because two of their splits are on our list. Tim and Bob split fees of $36,000 and $35,200. Those fees earned the duo sixth and eighth place on the list, respectively.

During the second quarter, Tim and Bob paid $390 apiece in Network membership dues. Based on the two deals they made with each other alone, they both received $33,464 in split fees. Now that is an acceptable return on investment, wouldn’t you say?

In fact, I would venture to say that everybody on the list below is satisfied with the return they received on their Network investment during the second quarter. How about you? Are you satisfied? Would you like to make more placements in Top Echelon?

Then contact Director of Network Operations Drea Codispoti, CPC/CERS. You can do so by calling 330.455.1433, x156 or by sending an email to drea@topechelon.com.

Congratulations to everybody who scored big recruiter fees in Top Echelon’s split network during the second quarter!

— — —

Largest TE Recruiter Fees of the Quarter
First Place:

Lisa DeBenedittis of Elite Executive Search and Gail Williams of Williams Recruiting

The position for this split placement was a Director, Research – Immuno-Oncology. Lisa was the job order recruiter, and Gail was the candidate recruiter.

The action that stimulated this split placement was listed as “Discussion Forum.”

The fee percentage for this split placement was 25%. The fee total was $56,250.

— — –

Second Place:

Amylyn Kyler of Kyler Professional Search (job order recruiter)
Stephanie Jakubik of Bertram & Associates, Inc. (candidate recruiter)
Position Title: Talent Management Leader
Fee percentage: 20%
Split Fee: $45,000

Third Place:

Cindy Andrew Cordell, CPC of Corporate Resources, LLC (job order recruiter)
Terry Rhodes of NewCareers (candidate recruiter)
Position Title: Corporate Director EHS & Regulatory Compliance
Fee percentage: 25%
Split Fee: $42,500

Fourth Place:

Scott Szur of The Harrison Group, LLC (job order recruiter)
Steve Kohn of Affinity Executive Search, Inc. (candidate recruiter)
Position Title: Director QC
Fee percentage: 20%
Split Fee: $39,000

Fifth Place:

Deb Hunkins Patane of Professional Outlook, Inc. (job order recruiter)
Juanita Smith of Executive Group (candidate recruiter)
Position Title: Sr. Process Engineer
Fee percentage: 25%
Split Fee: $36,250

Sixth Place:

Tim Piccini of Philips Recruiting Services (job order recruiter)
Bob Millman of AutoPro Technical Recruiting (candidate recruiter)
Position Title: Plant Manager
Fee percentage: 20%
Split Fee: $36,000

Seventh Place:

John Ricciardi of Afton Consulting Group (job order recruiter)
Don Fredrick of Executech, Inc. (candidate recruiter)
Position Title: Senior Director – Product Quality/Occupational Toxicologist
Fee percentage: 20%
Split Fee: $35,600

Eighth Place:

Tim Piccini of Philips Recruiting Services (job order recruiter)
Bob Millman of AutoPro Technical Recruiting (candidate recruiter)
Position Title: EHS Director
Fee percentage: 20%
Split Fee: $35,200

Ninth Place:

Steve Zollner of The Sunridge Group (job order recruiter)
Greg Abel of Abel Connect, LLC (candidate recruiter)
Position Title: Regional Vice President of Sales
Fee percentage: 20%
Split Fee: $35,000

Tenth Place:

Jay Canowitz of Ives & Associates, Inc. (job order recruiter)
Nick Hope of Hope and Associates (candidate recruiter)
Position Title: Human Resources Business Partner
Fee percentage: 25%
Split Fee: $35,000

— — —

Top Echelon determines the monthly and quarterly winners of its Network split recruiting awards in four distinct categories, which are listed below:

1.) Recruiter of the Month
2.) Largest Split Fee of the Month
3.) Recruiter of the Quarter
4.) Largest Split Fee of the Quarter

The winners of these awards are only announced in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog, usually (but not always) in the issue following the conclusion of each month and/or quarter.