The episode of “Recruiting Trailblazers” features host Marcus Edwardes in conversation with Natalie Sarmiento, founder of Engage Engineer Search, a niche headhunting firm specializing in the forensic engineering industry. Natalie shares her journey from an HR professional to starting her own agency, which was motivated by the recognition of a gap in the market for dedicated and knowledgeable recruiters in forensic engineering.

Natalie discusses the challenges she faced in HR, particularly how generalist recruiters often failed to present qualified candidates. This realization drove her to establish a more specialized recruiting firm, which earned her a place on Forbes America’s Best Professional Recruiting Firms list in 2023.

The conversation covers Natalie’s strategies for connecting with top talent in a highly specialized and confidential field, emphasizing the importance of building quality relationships and trust. She talks about her recruitment approach, which includes understanding both the client’s needs and the candidate’s career aspirations, ensuring that placements are not just transactional but transformative for both parties.

Throughout the podcast, Natalie shares insights into the intricacies of forensic engineering, the importance of industry-specific knowledge, and the ethical considerations in recruiting for such a niche market. Marcus and Natalie also reflect on the mutual benefits of developing genuine, long-term relationships with clients and candidates, highlighting the satisfaction that comes from positively impacting people’s careers and businesses.

Natalie closes with advice for other recruiters, stressing the importance of integrity, professionalism, and genuine relationship-building in achieving success in recruitment.