Ep 297 - A Great Candidate… That Nobody Wants

Ep 297 - A Great Candidate… That Nobody Wants

From The Lone Recruiter by Brett Clemenson

March 29, 2026 · 4 min · Season 4 · Episode 297

About this episode

Brett Clemenson discusses the challenges recruiters face when evaluating candidates who may not be in demand despite impressive qualifications.

Ever had a candidate who looks incredible on paper… but the market just doesn’t respond? Today I talk about a conversation I had on the launch tour that really highlights a mistake a lot of recruiters make — especially those still chasing their first placement. It’s easy to get excited about a candidate with 30+ years of experience, a great CV, and a strong track record. But the real question isn’t whether you think they’re a great candidate. The question is whether the market does. If you’re sending CVs and hearing nothing back, this ep will make you stop and rethink how you’re judging what a “great candidate” actually looks like in today’s market. Tune in for: 👉 Why years of experience don’t always equal demand 👉 The mistake new recruiters make when they rely on “great candidates” instead of real roles 👉 How the market really decides who is valuable right now 👉 Why the 8–10 year bracket is often the sweet spot 👉 The simple mindset shift that can help you make your first placement faster

People in this episode

Host: Brett Clemenson

Topics covered

  • candidate evaluation
  • recruitment challenges
  • market demand
  • experience vs demand
  • mindset shift in recruiting

Keywords

  • candidate
  • recruitment
  • market demand
  • experience
  • placement
  • recruiter mistakes
  • CV evaluation

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