How to Design Recruitment Training People Actually Enjoy, with David Bloxham

The Resilient Recruiter

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9M ago 1:02:35

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What if your next training session became the highlight of your recruiters' week rather than just another calendar obligation? We explore how innovative recruitment leaders transform traditional onboarding into engaging experiences that drive performance and retention.

In this episode, a tenured recruiter and recruitment business owner shares his experience in training hundreds of recruiters in this career. For David, “training and developing people is fun!”

David Bloxham is the CEO of GCS Recruitment. With over 30 years of experience, David is passionate about connecting innovative technology companies with the expert talent they need to drive their businesses forward.

In 2017, he led a successful management buyout (MBO) with nGAGE Talent, further solidifying his leadership in the industry. Under his guidance, GCS Recruitment has expanded globally with a team of 100 consultants and 7 offices including London, Reading, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Orlando and Philadelphia.

Episode Outline and Highlights

[02:12] How did David get started in recruiting?
[04:30] Has productivity in recruitment remaining relatively constant over time?
[13:08] Effective and efficient team structure to increase productivity.
[20:23] Hiring and developing hundreds of people over the years, what key training elements David wishes to share?
[36:05] David and his team use tools and technology for reports and gamifying objectives.
[40:27] Core focus of recruiters despite technological advances: telephone first and networking.
[49:31] Discussion on David’s Management Buyout (MBO) experience and learnings.
[56:53] Should your recruitment firm get an investment from a Private Equity?

Below are some of the takeaways he shared on this topic:

Passion for Teaching – He genuinely enjoys training people, seeing them "get it," and watching their progress. His enthusiasm makes training engaging and impactful.
Gamification and Fun—He introduces friendly competitions, small challenges (like mentioning random topics in calls), and a team environment that keeps training lively and engaging.
Hands-On Learning – He believes in learning by doing, allowing trainees to make calls early, experience rejection, and develop resilience.
Focus on Fundamentals – Despite industry changes, he emphasizes that the core of recruitment remains the same: connecting clients and candidates.
Creating a Supportive Environment – He fosters a collaborative setting where trainees can share wins, struggles, and experiences.
Emphasizing Resilience – He prepares recruiters for the challenges of the job, especially handling rejection and navigating modern recruitment complexities.
Adapting Training to Modern Challenges – He acknowledges changes in recruitment (e.g., difficulty reaching candidates, compliance hurdles) and tailors training to address these new realities.

David Bloxham Bio and Contact Info

David Bloxham is a seasoned recruitment professional and the CEO of GCS Recruitment. With over 30 years of experience, David has a passion for connecting innovative technology companies with the expert talent they need to drive their businesses forward. In 2017, he led a successful management buyout (MBO) with nGAGE Talent, further solidifying his leadership in the industry. Under his guidance, GCS Recruitment has grown significantly on a global scale, helping clients to "Employ the Future to Create it." David's expertise in the recruitment industry and his dedication to fostering strong client relationships have made him a respected figure in the field.

David on LinkedIn
GCS Tech Talent website link
GCS Connect Leaders podcast
nGAGE talent website link

People and Resources Mentioned

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