# Building relationships in recruitment

- Link: https://eventengine.net/building-relationships-in-recruitment/
- Published: 2024-11-18T10:05:00+00:00
- Author: rondayvoo

What does it take to build meaningful relationships in the events industry, especially
when recruitment is your focus? Mike Frost, founder of ExpoCast, joins Lee to share
his journey and approach to recruitment for the events sector, emphasizing the importance
of relationships, resilience, and community.

Mike founded ExpoCast in March 2020, right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,
and had to navigate the collapse of the events industry during the lockdowns. Instead
of giving up, Mike and his co-founder chose to pivot—focusing on building relationships,
helping out the industry, and being visible, even when there were no roles to fill.
This episode explores how being a problem-solver and connector helped them survive
and grow.

Lee and Mike discuss the journey of navigating a business through difficult times,
the power of networking, and the value of being genuinely helpful without an immediate
payoff. Mike explains how ExpoCast was able to use the pandemic as an opportunity
to become more involved in the industry by participating in various initiatives 
and conversations.

If you’re looking to learn how to build lasting relationships in recruitment or 
understand how resilience and community can transform your business, this conversation
is a great resource.

### Key takeaways

Here are some of the key takeaways from our conversation with Mike:

 * **Relationships before transactions**: Focusing on building genuine relationships,
   rather than just trying to fill vacancies, helped ExpoCast build trust and ensure
   long-term success. Even when there were no jobs to offer, connecting and providing
   value led to opportunities later.
 * **Resilience through tough times**: Launching during a pandemic forced Mike and
   his co-founder to pause and find creative ways to stay afloat. They took mortgage
   holidays, minimized spending, and got involved in industry conversations to keep
   ExpoCast in front of the right audiences.
 * **Networking is about helping, not just selling**: Mike shared his approach to
   networking—finding ways to help people without expecting immediate benefits. 
   This included offering career advice, connecting people with the right contacts,
   and just being available when needed.
 * **Be clear about what you want**: Whether you’re seeking a job or looking to 
   hire, knowing exactly what you want is crucial. Mike emphasizes that clearly 
   communicating your needs makes it easier for others to help you, whether it’s
   through networking or recruitment.
 * **Honest hiring practices**: Mike advises event companies to manage expectations
   accurately when hiring. This includes being transparent about the nature of the
   role and providing thorough onboarding to address any gaps in skills.

### Connect with Mike

 * [ExpoCast Website](https://expocast.co.uk)
 * [Mike Frost on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-frost-exhibitions-recruitment/)