Most Recruiters Are Chasing “Perfect” Candidates — and Losing Money
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Perfect candidates feel safe.
They’re also the reason most recruiting desks grow slower than they should.
In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, Tricia Tamkin and Jason Thibeault break down a hard truth most recruiters don’t want to hear:
👉 waiting for 100% fit candidates is quietly killing deals, momentum, and revenue.
This conversation will permanently change how you think about candidate submissions, hiring manager expectations, and what actually gets people hired.
🚨 Why This Episode Matters
Most recruiters believe high standards equal high performance.
Top billers know something different.
In today’s AI-driven recruiting market, speed, judgment, and confidence matter more than perfection. This episode shows you how elite recruiters move faster, submit smarter, and close more — without damaging credibility or relationships.
🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why 70–80% fit candidates are often the ones who get hired
The hidden mistake recruiters make when they treat job descriptions as fixed rules
How to present “almost-fit” candidates and get hiring managers to lean in
When submitting a stretch candidate increases fees — and when it backfires
The mindset shift that separates stalled desks from high-performing billers
Why recruiters who hesitate lose deals to those who move decisively
👥 About the Guests
Tricia Tamkin and Jason Thibeault are two of the most respected recruiter trainers in the industry, known for helping recruiters and firm owners rethink outdated rules, increase placement velocity, and consistently close more deals.
🔥 What Changes After You Watch
You’ll stop second-guessing strong candidates.
You’ll move faster while other recruiters wait.
You’ll present with confidence instead of fear — and win more searches because of it.
This isn’t about lowering standards.
It’s about recruiting like an advisor, not an order-taker.
▶️ Watch Now
If you want to grow your desk, increase billings, and stop losing deals to slower but bolder recruiters — don’t skip this one.
Hit play, then subscribe for weekly recruiter-only conversations that actually move the needle.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Why perfect candidates cost recruiters money
03:55 – The 70–80% fit rule top billers actually use
07:20 – Why job descriptions are aspirational, not reality
10:45 – The dating analogy that reframes recruiting
14:30 – When almost-fit candidates get hired anyway
18:10 – How to sell the gap instead of hiding it
22:05 – What hiring managers really decide on
26:40 – When NOT to submit a stretch candidate
30:15 – The confidence shift that unlocks momentum
34:50 – How this mindset increases long-term revenue
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🎯 Summit + Community
2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit
👉 https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/
Join the Elite Recruiter Community
(All summits, replays, Billers Club + Split Space)
👉 https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community
🔗 Tools & Links
Free Trial: PeopleGPT → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d
Free Trial: Talin AI → https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter
Free Trial: Pin → https://www.pin.com/
Email List → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Guest LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciatamkin/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonthibeault/
🎙 Hosted by Benjamin Mena
https://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/
