Mastering Recruiting: Why Building Genuine Relationships Will Always Matter with Janelle Razzino
Recruiting has changed a lot, but some things never go out of style—like genuine relationships and knowing how to read people. In this episode, I sit down with someone who’s built her career on that very foundation.
I’m joined by Janelle Razzino, President and Founder of Razzino Associates, a boutique executive search firm based in New Jersey. With over 35 years of experience recruiting for IT, audit, accounting, finance, and leadership roles, Janelle has seen every twist in the hiring landscape.
We talk about how HR’s influence has evolved, why AI can’t replace human connection, and what candidates can do right now to stand out in a tightening market. Janelle’s perspective is rooted in decades of trust, intuition, and relationships that last.
Listen to the full episode and see why experience and empathy still beat algorithms every single day.
Specifically, this episode highlights the following themes:
- How HR’s role in recruiting has reshaped the hiring process
- Why AI can’t replace genuine human connection
- The value of relationships, intuition, and consistency in long-term recruiting success
Links from this episode:
- Get to know more about Steven Swan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swangroup
- Get to know more about Janelle Razzino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janellerazzino
- Learn more about Razzino Associates, Inc.: http://www.razzinoassociates.com
==== Time Stamps ====
00:00 – Introduction
01:03 – Janelle’s start in executive recruiting
05:23 – How HR changed the recruiting landscape
14:00 – The rise of AI in hiring
18:07 – Why relationships still matter
32:27 – Preparing for a market rebound
44:52 – The importance of networking and soft skills
47:36 – Janelle’s favorite concert memory
