Pete Watson, founder of Mint R2R and Recruitment United, offers a refreshingly honest look at the realities of Australian recruitment today. With over 21 years building Australia’s longest-serving Rec to Rec business, Pete brings a unique perspective on how the industry is evolving and why community might be the secret ingredient most recruiters are missing.

Pete's journey from running pubs in Manchester to becoming a recruitment entrepreneur began with a simple phone call from a friend boasting about an £11,000 monthly bonus. That call sparked a career spanning two decades and continents, culminating in multiple successful ventures designed to bring recruiters together. His most passionate project, Recruitment United, was born from a personal realization while on the treadmill - that the isolation of running a small recruitment agency was taking a toll. "My life was somewhat isolated, dare I say, lonely," Pete admits, describing the moment he decided to create something that would connect independent recruiters across Australia.

In this episode, Pete shares:

• Why the Australian recruitment market remains resilient-though uneven-across verticals
• How community and collaboration can transform an industry built on competition
• The untapped opportunity of retained search, including the story of one regional recruiter who trebled his revenue by converting contingent jobs to retained searches
• Why AI should be seen as an opportunity, not a threat, for relationship-driven recruiters
• His advice for navigating market slowdowns: “Now is the time you raise your game. Now is the time you be way more visible.”

Whether you’re thinking about starting your own agency, shifting towards retained search, or simply craving connection in an often-isolated profession, Pete’s insights provide both inspiration and practical guidance. His message is clear: the future of recruitment isn’t about fighting competition, it’s about putting an arm around each other.

If you're interested in joining Recruitment United or learning more about Pete's ventures, connect with him on LinkedIn or call him directly at 0432 666 701.

Find out more about our upcoming Recruitment Masterclass in Sydney: https://recruitment-masterclass.vercel.app/

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