Not only did we have a first-time winner of “The Recruiter of the Month” award for December, but we also have a first-time winner of the “The Recruiter of the Quarter” award.

And that winner is the same person!

The person is question is Debi Apple of Apple & Assoc., who enjoyed a big fourth quarter in 2012.  She made six split placements, which was just enough to top perennial award winner Trey Cameron of the Cameron Craig Group.

As a bonus, we’ve included an expanded format with our award announcements.  As you can see below, we’ve listed the top five recruiters in Top Echelon Network during the fourth quarter of 2012.  We wanted to recognize more recruiters for their accomplishments within the Network, and we thought this would be a great way to do it!

For more information about the placements and cash-in totals associated with these recruiters, please login to the Members’ Area and view the profiles and placement details of the recruiters involved.

— — —

RECRUITER OF THE QUARTER
Debi Apple of Apple & Assoc., Inc.

Apple, who was also the “Recruiter of the Month” for the month of December, made six split placements during the fourth quarter of last year.  That was the most of any recruiter in Top Echelon Network and one more than Trey Cameron of the Cameron Craig Group, who earned Recruiter of the Year honors for 2012.

— — —

SECOND PLACE
Recruiter: Trey Cameron
Firm: Cameron Craig Group
# of split placements: five (5)

THIRD PLACE
Recruiter: David Wood, CPC
Firm: The David Wood Company
# of split placements: four (4)

FOURTH PLACE
Recruiter: Georgette Sandifer
Firm: Gallman Consulting
# of split placements: three (3)

FIFTH PLACE
Recruiter: Chuck Szajkovics
Firm: Bulldog Recruiters, Inc.
# of split placements: three (3)

— — —

Our criteria for these recognition awards:

Top Echelon Network is a split placement network.  As such, we place an emphasis on split placements, and that emphasis constitutes the basis of our criteria for these recognition awards.  We determine the quarterly award winners based upon two factors, which are listed below in order of importance:

1.) The number of split placements made
2.) The amount of cash-in dollars earned as a result of those split placements

In other words, the number of split placements that recruiters make is our first consideration.  In the event of a tie, the cash-in total earned from those split placements is the deciding factor and serves to break the tie.  Obviously, the recruiter with more cash-in dollars in the event of a tie is the recruiter who wins the recognition award.

— — —

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Once again, we have a brand-new “Recruiter of the Month”!

In the recent past, this award has been dominated by a handful of Preferred Member recruiters, but lately, other Members have been stepping up to claim the prize.  (Not . . . that there’s an actual prize.  No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited.)

This month’s winner is Debi Apple of Apple & Assoc., Inc., and Apple had a rather good 2012 within the Network, not just during the month of December.

Apple made a total of eight Network split placements in 2012, and one of those placements was a contract deal.  Not only that, but she made these placements with the help of her Hiring Hook recruitment website design.

And not only THAT, but the two Preferred Member recruiters responsible for the “Largest Split Placement Fee of the Month” in December made their split placement with—yes, you guessed it—the help of a Hiring Hook website.

If you don’t have a Hiring Hook website yet, what are you waiting for?  Attract more qualified candidates and make more placements.  Join the party.  C’mon, all the kids are doing it . . .

As always, we recognize recruiters for both monthly and quarterly performance in four categories—“Recruiter of the Month,” “Recruiter of the Quarter,” “Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month,” and “Highest Split Placement Fee of the Quarter.”

For more information about the placements and cash-in totals associated with these awards, please login to the Members’ Area and view the profiles and placement details of the recruiters involved.

 — — —

Recruiter of the Month
Debi Apple of Apple & Assoc. Inc.

Apple was the only Preferred Member recruiter in the Network to make four split placements during the month of December.

In second place was David Wood, CPC of The David Wood Company with three split placements, and in third place was Georgette Sandifer of Gallman Consulting with two split placements.  Sandifer tied other recruiters with her two placements, but she boasted the largest cach-in total among those recruiters.

 — — —

Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month
Michael Petras of Michael Petras Recruiting and Ken Nunley of 7 Solutions USA

The position for this placement was a VP of Operations.  Petras was the job order recruiter, and Nunley was the candidate recruiter.  The action that stimulated this split placement was listed as “The job seeker or client was found through my Hiring Hook website.”

 — — —

Our criteria for these awards:

Top Echelon Network is a split placement network.  As such, we place an emphasis on split placements, and that emphasis constitutes a large part of our criteria for these awards.  We determine the monthly and quarterly award winners based upon two things, which are listed below in order of importance:

1.) The number of split placements made
2.) The amount of cash-in dollars earned as a result of those split placements

— — —

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We have yet another new face to publish in conjunction with our “Recruiter of the Month” award!  That face belongs to Cheryl Campbell Lang, CPC of Career Search Associates.

Campbell has made a total of 32 placements during her tenure as a Preferred Member recruiter in Top Echelon Network, and she made three of those during the month of November.  Not only does that give her more momentum heading into the New Year, but it also gives her “Recruiter of the Month” recognition.

Will there be yet another new face next month?  Only time—and split placements—will tell.  In the meantime, stay tuned!

As always, we recognize recruiters for both monthly and quarterly performance in four categories—“Recruiter of the Month,” “Recruiter of the Quarter,” “Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month,” and “Highest Split Placement Fee of the Quarter.”

For more information about the placements and cash-in totals associated with these awards, please login to the Members’ Area and view the profiles and placement details of the recruiters involved.

 — — —

Recruiter of the Month
Cheryl Campbell Lang, CPC of Career Search Associates

Campbell was the only Preferred Member recruiter in the Network to make three split placements during the month of November.

In second place were Cindy Andrew Cordell, CPC of Corporate Resources, LLC and Chuck Szajkovics of Bulldog Recruiters, Inc.  Both made two split placements, but Cordell boasted the larger cash-in total for her two, meaning that she claimed second place and Szajkovics captured third place.

 — — —

Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month
Georgette Sandifer of Gallman Consulting and Chuck Szajkovics of Bulldog Recruiters, Inc.

The position for this placement was a Plant Manager.  Sandifer was the job order recruiter, and Szajkovics was the candidate recruiter.  The action that stimulated this split placement was listed as “Regular phone communication with a Top Echelon Network Preferred Member recruiter in my specialty area.”

 — — —

Our criteria for these awards:

Top Echelon Network is a split placement network.  As such, we place an emphasis on split placements, and that emphasis constitutes a large part of our criteria for these awards.  We determine the monthly and quarterly award winners based upon two things, which are listed below in order of importance:

1.) The number of split placements made
2.) The amount of cash-in dollars earned as a result of those split placements

— — —

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Trey Cameron is NOT the “Recruiter of the Month”!, and now he doesn’t win it.  (Isn’t that always just the way?  Maybe we’re like the “Madden Cover Curse.”)

After Cameron dominated this award for most of 2012, another Preferred Member recruiter has claimed the honor for the month of October . . . and it might come as no surprise that recruiter is Maria Hemminger of MJ Recruiters, LLC.

Like Cameron, Hemminger (along with Joanna Spaun and the rest of the MJ Recruiters peeps) has enjoyed a stellar year in 2012.  The firm has made a total of 17 split placements since the beginning of the year, and there’s a good chance it will produce even more before the ball drops in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

Can Cameron rebound by winning this award in November?  Maybe, but regardless of how he fares during the rest of 2012, he’s pretty much wrapped up “Recruiter of the Year” honors.

As always, we recognize recruiters for both monthly and quarterly performance in four categories—“Recruiter of the Month,” “Recruiter of the Quarter,” “Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month,” and “Highest Split Placement Fee of the Quarter.”

For more information about the placements and cash-in totals associated with these awards, please login to the Members’ Area and view the profiles and placement details of the recruiters involved.

 — — —

Recruiter of the Month
Maria Hemminger of MJ Recruiters, LLC

Hemminger was the only Preferred Member recruiter in the Network to make three split placements during the month of October.

In second place were Karen Akbal-Sturgeon of KLA Industries and Frank Gregg of Gregg Associates.  Both made two split placements, but Akbal-Sturgeon boasted the larger cash-in total for her two, meaning that she claimed second place and Gregg captured third place.

 — — —

Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month
Jay Canowitz of Ives & Associates, Inc. and Frank Chavira of HG Arias & Associates

The position for this placement was a HR Business Director.  Canowitz was the job order recruiter, and Chavira was the candidate recruiter.  The action that stimulated this split placement was listed as “Regular phone communication with a Top Echelon Network Preferred Member recruiter in my specialty area.”

 — — —

Our criteria for these awards:

Top Echelon Network is a split placement network.  As such, we place an emphasis on split placements, and that emphasis constitutes a large part of our criteria for these awards.  We determine the monthly and quarterly award winners based upon two things, which are listed below in order of importance:

1.) The number of split placements made
2.) The amount of cash-in dollars earned as a result of those split placements

— — —

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Preferred Member Trey Cameron of the Cameron Craig Group was “Recruiter of the Quarter” in Top Echelon Network for the second quarter of 2012.  He made nine split placements to earn that honor.

Pretty good production, wouldn’t you say?

Well, Cameron increased his Network production by 33% in the third quarter, making a whopping TWELVE split placements combined during the months of July, August, and September.

How good was Cameron’s third quarter?  Sean Napoles, CPC of Career Brokers, Inc. enjoyed a great third quarter in the Network, making six split placements . . . and Cameron still doubled that.

How good was Cameron’s third quarter?  His cash-in for the quarter was nearly $100,000.  That total represents his half of the fees that those 12 split placements produced.

Can Cameron make another 12 split placements in the Network during the fourth quarter?  Can he break the Top Echelon Network record for split placements in a calendar year?  Stay tuned.

Below are the winners of the recognition awards for the third quarter.  We’d like to congratulate those recruiters who earned them and thank them for their efforts.

For more information about the placements and cash-in totals associated with these recognition awards, please login to the Members’ Area and view the profiles and placement details of the recruiters involved.

— — —

Recruiter of the Quarter
Trey Cameron of the Cameron Craig Group

Seven split placements in the first quarter, nine split placements in the second quarter, and now 12 split placements in the third quarter.  At this rate, Cameron might make 15 in the fourth quarter.

Napoles was second with six split placements, while a handful of recruiters made three split placements apiece, led by Gail Williams of Williams Recruiting, Inc., whose cash-in total for those three gave her third place.

— — —

Highest Split Placement Fee of the Quarter
Denise Milano Sprung of JA Pharma, Inc. and Stephanie McGinty of Ives & Associates, Inc.

This placement was for a Director of Medical Communications-Early Oncology.  Milano Sprung was the job order recruiter, and McGinty was the candidate recruiter.  The action causing this split placement was listed as, “Regular communication with another Top Echelon Network Preferred Member recruiter in my specialty area.”

— — —

Our criteria for these recognition awards:

Top Echelon Network is a split placement recruiter network.  As such, we place an emphasis on split placements, and that emphasis constitutes the basis of our criteria for these recognition awards.  We determine the quarterly award winners based upon two factors, which are listed below in order of importance:

1.) The number of split placements made
2.) The amount of cash-in dollars earned as a result of those split placements

In other words, the number of split placements that recruiters make is our first consideration.  In the event of a tie, the cash-in total earned from those split placements is the deciding factor and serves to break the tie.  Obviously, the recruiter with more cash-in dollars in the event of a tie is the recruiter who wins the recognition award.

— — —

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We’ve done it: we’ve decided to just go ahead and name the “Recruiter of the Month Award” after Trey Cameron of the Cameron Craig Group.

After all, Cameron has won the award six times so far this year, including the last three months in a row, and at the rate he’s going, he might sweep the entire second half of 2012.  That would be unprecedented, at least as long as we’ve been handing out these recognition awards.

So, without further adieu, below are the details regarding the “Trey Cameron Recruiter of the Month Award” for the month of September . . . with your host, Trey Cameron!

Cameron isn’t the only recruiter mentioned this month, though, so be sure to read the blog post in its entirety.  There’s plenty of other good stuff, too.  Oh, and if you want us to “un-name” the award, you’ll have to find a way to beat Cameron between now and the end of the year.  Is that a challenge?  Why, yes . . . yes, it is.

As always, we recognize recruiters for both monthly and quarterly performance in four categories—“Recruiter of the Month,” “Recruiter of the Quarter,” “Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month,” and “Highest Split Placement Fee of the Quarter.”

For more information about the placements and cash-in totals associated with these awards, please login to the Members’ Area and view the profiles and placement details of the recruiters involved.

— — —

Recruiter of the Month
Trey Cameron of the Cameron Craig Group

Cameron was the only Preferred Member recruiter in the Network to make four split placements during the month of September.

In second place were Gail Williams of Williams Recruiting, Inc. and Richard Connors of Vista Technology.  Both made two split placements, and both had the exact same cash-in total.  That might make you think they made those split placements with each other.  As you can see below, if you thought that, you’d be correct.

— — —

Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month
Richard Connors of Vista Technology and Gail Williams of Williams Recruiting, Inc.

The position for this placement was a Compliance Director.  Connors was the job order recruiter, and Williams was the candidate recruiter.  The action that stimulated this split placement was listed as “Regular phone communication with a Top Echelon Network Preferred Member recruiter in my specialty area.”

— — —

Our criteria for these awards:

Top Echelon Network is a split placement network.  As such, we place an emphasis on split placements, and that emphasis constitutes a large part of our criteria for these awards.  We determine the monthly and quarterly award winners based upon two things, which are listed below in order of importance:

1.) The number of split placements made
2.) The amount of cash-in dollars earned as a result of those split placements

— — —

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Last week, we presented the first part of a two-part interview with long-time Preferred Member recruiter Marc Tappis of Opportunity Search, Inc.

Tappis, who recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his firm opening its doors, has been very successful in Top Echelon Network.

And because we’re an absolute stickler for detail, we’re now going to publish the second part of that interview in this week’s issue of The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog.

In the true tradition of an interview, we asked Tappis to answer even MORE questions, and he was good enough to answer them.  His answers are below.

If there’s a recruiter you believe we should interview, send their name to marketing@topechelon.com.  If you believe that YOU should be interviewed, you can send your name to . . . the same email address.

How has Top Echelon Network affected your career as a recruiter?

TE has allowed me to expand my business base, increase my revenue, and provide a better service to my clients.  It has allowed me to keep my overhead down.  I never saw the need to hire a staff when I have countless Top Echelon recruiters available to assist with my recruiting needs.

Why do you think you’ve been so successful working with other recruiters and making split placements with them?

I’ve been able to build trusting relationships with a Core Group of recruiters.  I also try to keep things in perspective, treat other recruiters like I want to be treated, be honest, and try to add some humor and fun to the process.  I strongly believe that communicating and providing feedback to other recruiters throughout the process is really important.  A split placement is a team effort, and in most cases, input and actions from both sides make the deal happen.  This won’t happen if you don’t communicate and keep the recruiter you’re working with informed during the process.

What are some crazy things that candidates and hiring managers have said and done down through the years?

The list is long . . . a candidate telling a hiring manager that they can’t get out of bed in the morning and would like the job, but only if they can start at 10 a.m.; a candidate literally falling asleep in the reception area waiting to be called back for their 8:30 a.m. interview; a candidate bringing their children to an interview and asking the receptionist to watch them.

What advice do you have for somebody just starting out as a recruiter?

On one hand, it’s a simple business—work hard, build relationships, be honest, be organized, and don’t get frustrated, as there are a lot of ups and downs.  On the other hand, it’s not an easy business.  You need luck and perseverance, and you must be able to handle things out of your control.  You don’t control what candidates do and say or what clients do and say.

What else would you like to add?

This job is extremely stressful.  It’s important to find a way to relieve stress.  I’m an avid runner and have completed three marathons and numerous half-marathons.  Exercise is one of many ways to reduce stress.

— — —

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We recently announced that Top Echelon Network Preferred Member recruiter Marc Tappis was celebrating the 25th anniversary of his firm, Opportunity Search, opening its doors.  It just so happens that during two stints as a Preferred Members, Tappis has been very successful in the Network, as well.

So . . . considering the success—not to mention longevity—that Tappis has enjoyed, both inside and outside of the Network, we thought it would be a good idea to ask him some questions.  (Yes, you could call it an “interview,” if you want to get all technical about it.)

Any, this is if the first blog post in a two-post series that reveal the answers that Tappis provided.  The second part of the series will be published in next week’s issue of The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog.  We want to read that issue, too.

How did you break into the recruiting business?

I started out in Corporate HR, first as a recruiter then as a staffing manager.  I was using a very well-known and established recruiting firm to fill openings and they offered me a position with their firm, which I accepted.
How has the world of recruiting changed during the past 25 years?

Technology is the biggest change.

When I started my company in 1987, everything was paper.  Computers were very expense and had little or no memory capacity to hold large amounts of data.  I spent a lot of time making copies, addressing envelopes, making file folders for candidates and companies etc.  The process from start to finish was slow.

You would talk to a candidate, they would mail a resume to you and that would take two days, and you would mail it to the company and that was another two days.  Answering machines weren’t very reliable, so spending time out of the office was risky.

A few years after I was in business, fax machines became popular and that made the process move a little faster, but the quality of the fax on thermal paper rolls was very poor.  Years later, computers became affordable but there was no email and no internet.  Even Top Echelon Network (called Nationwide Interchange at the time) had a system where they mailed you a disk with new candidates and job orders and you had to mail it back to them weekly.

Technology has made the job much easier.  A resume is now received in seconds versus days, cellphones allow you to talk to candidates on their way to and from work or during the day if they step outside, email allows you to reach a candidate or client at any time, and computer databases allow you search thousands of candidates in seconds and manage work flow.  Even something as simple as retreiving a message remotely didn’t exist reliably 25 years ago.

If you had a “philosophy of recruiting,” what would you say that is?

Be honest and treat people like you want to be treated. Be a good listener and listen to your clients’ and candidates’ needs.

This is a people business, so get to know your good clients and “A” candidates.  I have numerous clients that I ‘ve worked with for 10+ years and have placed countless candidates with them.  I’m the first one they call over and over again.  I take almost everyone I place to lunch and meet face-to-face with my best clients over lunch regularly.  I get to know them personally.  I think that is really important and has been a major factor in my success.

What do you think you’ve learned about recruiting, business, and people during the past 25 years?

This business really is all about relationships.  To be successful, you need to have good long-term relationships with candidates, clients, and fellow recruiters.  If you do, clients will give you more more business, candidates will refer their friends and colleagues, and recruiters will share their openings and best candidates with you.

— — —

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Let’s run down the list of the Top Echelon Network “Recruiter of the Month” award winners for the first seven months of this year, shall we?

January—Maria Hemminger of MJ Recruiters, LLC
February—Trey Cameron of the Cameron Craig Group
March—David Wick, CPC of Career Center of Cincinnati, Inc.
April—Trey Cameron
May—Trey Cameron
June—Juli Smith of The Smith Consulting Group, LLC
July—Trey Cameron

With that evidence submitted, who do you think might be the “Recruiter of the Month” for August?  Jimmy Hoffa?  Diego Montoya?  Me?  Nope.  If you guessed “Trey Cameron,” you’d be correct . . . although I wouldn’t apply for your “Certified Psychic” card just yet.

And while his lead on the rest of the Membership has diminished slightly in recent months, Cameron is still at the forefront in the race for “Recruiter of the Year” honors.  Can he repeat as the Network’s Top Producer in 2012?  Will he reach $1 million cash-in for his Network career?  (Wait, he already did that.)  Will he break the record for Network placements in a single year?  Stay tuned!

As always, we recognize recruiters for both monthly and quarterly performance in four categories—“Recruiter of the Month,” “Recruiter of the Quarter,” “Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month,” and “Highest Split Placement Fee of the
Quarter.”

For more information about the placements and cash-in totals associated with these awards, please login to the Members’ Area and view the profiles and placement details of the recruiters involved.

 — — —

Recruiter of the Month
Trey Cameron of the Cameron Craig Group

Cameron was the only Preferred Member recruiter in the Network to make five split placements during the month of August.

In second place was Sean Napoles, CPC of Career Brokers, Inc. with four split placements.  In third place were Alan Daum of Alan N. Daum & Associates, Inc. and Michael Stuck of Gables Search Group, Inc. with three split placements apiece.

 — — —

Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month
Steve Kohn of Affinity Executive Search and Neil Elenzweig of American Career Search, Inc.

The position for this placement was a Research Development and Engineering Manager.  Kohn was the job order recruiter, and Elenzweig was the candidate recruiter.  The action that stimulated this split placement was listed as “Regular phone communication with a Top Echelon Network Preferred Member recruiter in my specialty area.”

 — — —

Our criteria for these awards:

Top Echelon Network is a split placement network.  As such, we place an emphasis on split placements, and that emphasis constitutes a large part of our criteria for these awards.  We determine the monthly and quarterly award winners based upon two things, which are listed below in order of importance:

1.) The number of split placements made
2.) The amount of cash-in dollars earned as a result of those split placements

— — —

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At the beginning of this year, Trey Cameron of the Cameron Craig Group needed to bill over a quarter of a million dollars to become a $1 Million Producer in Top Echelon Network.

Well, guess what?  A scant eight months into 2012, Cameron has accomplished just that.

With his most recent split placement, Cameron has now joined an elite group within Top Echelon Network—namely that group of recruiters who have achieved $1 million (or more) cash-in as Preferred Members.

Cameron started in the recruiting industry 10 years ago, and he joined Top Echelon Network in January of 2003.  So far in 2012, he’s closed 21 Network deals, and there are still six that are open and will probably close before the end of the year.

Overall, Cameron has made 136 placements in the Network.  If he’s able to sustain such a torrid pace during the next few years, he has a chance to accomplish another rare Top Echelon Network feat: 200 placements.

Everybody at Top Echelon would like to congratulate Trey Cameron on becoming the next $1 Million Producer in the Network!  Here’s to even more placements and more success in the future!

— — —

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