Recapturing Your Recruiting Roots in 2025
“Wounds Heal; Scars Last”
–A Ten-Part Series–
Part One
by
Bob Marshall
April 8th, 2025
Part One Domestication – Part One
“Have you become domesticated?”
Over the past few years, many recruiters have faced unprecedented challenges—economically, professionally, and even emotionally. These pressures have not just changed the way we work—they’ve changed us. And not always for the better.
Some recruiters have become… domesticated.
In any long-standing business relationship, dynamics shift. What began with boldness and drive often softens over time. Instincts dull. The fire dims. Recruiters start to choose the POLR—the Path of Least Resistance—because it’s easier. But is it better?
Recruiters, at their core, are hunters. They’re explorers, builders, creators. Yet too many are letting themselves be tamed—subtly reprogrammed by client companies to become farmers of job boards, herders of LinkedIn connections, and administrators of inbound traffic. Instead of driving the search, they’re managing it.
This shift doesn’t happen overnight. It creeps in, nudged along by economic excuses: “Budgets are tight.” “Other recruiters charge less.” “We wanted to hire, but didn’t have to.”
Little by little, we cave. We adapt. We comply.
And before we know it, we’re no longer hunting—we’re being fed.
The situation is made worse by the economic headwinds of recent years.
In response, some industry voices have encouraged recruiters to diversify—develop “multiple streams of income.” On the surface, that sounds strategic. But in practice, it’s led some retained firms to dilute their expertise—expanding into generic “talent management” or even “career transition” services typically owned by outplacement firms.
Instead of doubling down on mastery, these firms pivoted to survival.
Instead of pushing forward, they surrendered.
Next week: Part Two – Domestication – Part Two
My Best,
Bob
Bob Marshall began his recruiting career over 45 years ago at MR in Reno, NV. In 1986 he established The Bob Marshall Group, International, where he has trained recruiters throughout the United States and also in the United Kingdom, Malta and Cyprus. With a dedication to executive recruiting, he continues to offer his proven training systems to individuals, firms, and private corporations both domestic and in select international territories. To learn more about his activities and descriptions of his products and services, contact him directly @770-898-5550/470-456-0386(cell); bob@themarshallplan.org; or visit his website @ www.TheMarshallPlan.org.
Bob Marshall
President
TBMG, International
247 Bryans Drive, Suite 100
McDonough, GA 30252-2513
770-898-5550
520-842-5550 (fax)