Today’s recruiting landscape is full of challenges, hurdles, and hiccups. Tariffs are squeezing certain sectors. AI has brought change to the industry. Economic uncertainty is making candidates hesitant to move. Hiring managers are harder to reach.

And when business does come in, it’s often from existing relationships, leaving you wondering how to keep your pipeline alive when the phone stops ringing.

For recruiters, the temptation is to hunker down and focus only on current searches. But in this market, stopping your marketing is the fastest way to run out of work.

The people who are still growing are doing three things well: keeping relationships warm, carving out time every day to market, and even partnering with competitors to fill client needs they can’t meet alone.

Scott Clark knows this firsthand. A 25-year recruiting veteran and founder of DirectPath Recruiting Services, Scott joined us last year to talk about his transition from recruiter to recruiting office owner.

Now he’s back to share how the past year has gone, the surprises, the hurdles, and the strategies that are working right now to generate business when the market’s slow.

In this episode, we unpack the realities of recruiting in 2025’s manufacturing and automotive sectors and the unconventional moves that can keep your desk profitable when others are treading water.

Guest Bio

Scott Clark is the Owner of DirectPath Recruiting Services. With over twenty-five years of rich experience in talent acquisition leadership, his expertise lies in orchestrating end-to-end recruitment strategies that align with organizational goals at DirectPath Recruiting Services. DirectPath’s mission is to bridge the gap between leading manufacturing firms and exceptional talent, particularly in the automotive, defense, and solar sectors. Rooted in the values of building strong relationships and cultural fit, Scott is committed to enhancing the recruitment landscape with a focus on diversity, innovation, and client satisfaction. To learn more, go to DirectPathrs.com and connect with Scott on LinkedIn.

About Your Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years of industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.

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