In this podcast, Marcus Edwardes hosts Susan Levine, the renowned CEO of Career Group Companies. Susan recounts her journey, starting with the founding of Career Group in 1981, and shares the evolution of her high-end recruiting firm into a multi-division, nationally recognized company. The discussion covers her unique challenges as a young female entrepreneur in a relatively nascent industry, her innovative strategies to survive economic downturns, and the importance of developing and maintaining a strong company culture. Susan also provides an optimistic outlook for the recruitment industry in the upcoming years, emphasizing the importance of tenacity, empathy, and high-touch service in the ever-changing recruiting and talent acquisition landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:39 Susan Levine’s Early Career and Founding Career Group
05:37 Challenges and Successes in the Recruitment Industry
12:57 The Evolution of Recruitment Practices
19:20 Navigating Recessions and the Pandemic
27:19 Understanding Hiring Manager Needs
27:36 Navigating Economic Recessions
29:05 Adapting to Internal Recruiting Departments
31:34 The Value Proposition of Recruitment Agencies
34:30 Building a Positive Company Culture
36:10 Balancing Culture and Performance
42:01 The Importance of Tenacity in Recruitment
48:23 Exciting Future Prospects for 2025