EP 44 – Why Relationships Will Always Beat AI in Recruitment w/ Julian Lisaunskas
What if the best recruiters are still the ones who care the most?
In this episode, I’m joined by Julian Lisaunskas, Founder of 5Q Consultancy and a seasoned Rec2Rec with 18+ years of battle-tested experience.
We dive into what’s really missing in modern recruitment — genuine human connection.
From donut deliveries that led to six-figure accounts to WhatsApp voice notes that win deals, Julian unpacks how building meaningful relationships can’t be replaced by tools or AI. We also explore what it means to be a “recruitment geek,” how to prep candidates like a pro, and why caring about your future now pays off tenfold later.
We cover:
✅ Why most recruiters get relationships wrong
✅ How to stand out in a noisy market
✅ Real-world examples of building loyalty (donuts included 🍩)
✅ The truth about AI, sourcing tools & how to modernise without losing your edge
✅ Why every great recruiter is a bit of a 5-year-old (in the best way)
Whether you’re a rookie recruiter or running a £10M agency, this episode will challenge your thinking.
⏱ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Julian’s backstory
04:20 – Why Rec2Rec is harder than people think
08:00 – The power of old-school relationships
13:55 – How a donut delivery won £100K in business
17:30 – What makes a killer job brief
22:15 – Being “the geek” in recruitment
30:42 – Prepping candidates like a pro
37:00 – ChatGPT vs. human intuition
44:40 – Why most interview prep is broken
50:25 – How to challenge your boss with confidence
57:40 – Why businesses MUST invest in training
1:03:00 – The split model, loyalty & what legacy really means
1:06:12 – Final tip: Always ask one more question
🔗 Connect with Julian LisaunskasLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianlisauskas/5Q Consultancy: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5q-consultancy/posts/?feedView=all
🔗 Connect with Charles KyriakouLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleskyriakou1/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charles.kyriakou?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-better-recruitment-podcast/id1775201502Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46LjJfw0Y4IVJwnigCdxJXLinkedIn Newsletter:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7244346543967731712/?displayConfirmation=true