DEMsays

03/09/2026

Recruitment agencies spend a fortune on recruitment.

Which sounds like a ridiculous sentence until you look at where the money actually goes.

Job boards. LinkedIn Recruiter. ATSs. Databases. Sourcing tools. New technology. Better technology. And now, of course, AI tools for just about everything.

All designed to help recruiters find more candidates, reach more clients, work faster and ultimately make more placements.

And I'm not knocking any of it. Agencies need the tools. Technology has changed recruitment enormously, and AI is going to change it even more.

But I've always found it strange how much we'll spend giving a recruiter better equipment, while sometimes spending very little making them a better recruiter.

Because a better database doesn't teach you what to say when the client won't give you exclusivity. LinkedIn Recruiter doesn't teach you how to stop a candidate accepting a counteroffer. An ATS doesn't teach you how to qualify a job order properly.

And AI can give a recruiter an answer.

It can't give them the judgement to know whether it's the right one.

That's still the recruiter's job.

And that's the part I think we sometimes forget.

Better tools in the hands of an undertrained recruiter don't necessarily create better results…
..Sometimes they just help them make the same mistakes faster.

So by all means, invest in the technology. Invest in the databases. Invest in LinkedIn. Invest in AI.

🎯 Just don't forget to invest in the recruiter using them.

Because the most valuable piece of recruitment technology in the room is still the person sitting in front of it.

See what contemporary recruiter training looks like:

www.demsays.co.za

DEMsays | Contemporary Recruiter Training

02/09/2026

After almost a year of building it, today I finally get to say it.

THE DEMSAYS VAULT IS OPEN. 🎬

For the past few weeks, I've been telling you why I built it.

Today, I finally get to let you inside. 😁

Everything I've ever trained on over the past 25 years now has a home.

But DEMsays isn't here to tell recruiters they've been doing it wrong.

One thing I've learnt over those 25 years is that there are probably 5,000 different ways to do this job RIGHT... and your way is one of them.

The Vault isn't about replacing your style. It's about giving you another perspective 👀, another idea, 💭 a reminder, or simply a different way of handling the conversation that's sitting in front of you.

Because sometimes you want an hour of training.

Sometimes you need five minutes.

And sometimes you just need to know what to say next.

That's what I've tried to build.

📌A place a recruiter can go when a client says, "Your fee is too high."

📌When a candidate says, "I'm happy where I am."

📌When a job order starts going sideways.

📌When a rookie needs to learn the fundamentals.

📌Or when an experienced recruiter simply wants to sharpen something they already know.

Think of it as having Dem in your office whenever you need him.

Listen. Watch. Read. Find the situation you're in. Take what works for you and get back to the placement.

And because I couldn't think of anything worse than spending almost a year building another boring recruitment training website, I've wrapped the whole thing inside a 🎥 cinematic movie-themed world. 😄

After all the building, recording, writing, changing things, changing them back again and probably driving everyone around me slightly mad...

THE DEMSAYS VAULT IS OPEN.

If you've been following the story and wondering what I've been building, you don't have to wonder anymore.

Come inside.

👉 www.demsays.co.za

I'll see you in the Vault.

Dem

For Recruiters Who've "Heard It All."

27/10/2025

30/09/2025

For the very first time, you can now Design your very own DEMsays Private Recruiter Training Mini-Seminar! 100% customised for your company!

DEMsays Recruiter Training has never been more customisable. Because we know that one size DOESN'T fit all!
👇
Online Private Recruitment Training! The ENTIRE Placement Process…Select Your Program…Select your Topics…Even Select your very own Date and Time...

Marketing…Cold Call Recruiting…Referrals…Closing Deals…Prepping…Job Order Qualifying…Fees…Advanced Closing Techniques…Time Management…Email Usage for Recruiters…Candidate and Client Objections…Making the most out of your Guarantee…Building Trust with Clients/ Candidates…The Salary Issue…Placement Warning Signs…Counter Offers…Recruiter Integrity…Reference Checking…Retainers…Working Higher Level Jobs…Onboarding…Big Biller Numbers and Ratios…Slumps and Burnout..and everything in between!
👇
⚙️ How does it Work? ⓸ Easy Steps!
👇
Step 1️⃣: Select your Training Program:
✅ Rookie Recruiter Start Up Training Part I (topics customised according to agency needs)
✅ Rookie Recruiter Start Up Training Part II (topics customised according to agency needs)
✅ FunDEMentals Recruiter Training Workshop (Message Dem for topic descriptions)
✅ FunDEMentals Recruiter Training Workshop 2.0! (Message Dem for topic descriptions)
👇

Step 2️⃣: Select your Preferred Date and Time:
✅ Any Thursday or Friday, 9am to 2pm
👇

Step 3️⃣: Select 3 Topics from the attached PDF’s or let Dem know where the Gaps are and we will suggest 3 Topics for your approval!
👇

Step 4️⃣: Indicate Number of Delegates.
✅ 1-5 Delegates
✅ 5-9 Delegates
✅ 10+ Delegates
👇

Step 5️⃣: Email Dem with your Selections for a quote
👇

Step 6️⃣: Once quote is approved, date and time will be locked in!

Why THIS Training?

Let your Staffing Colleagues tell you!

"I have attended training with almost every recruiting/staffing trainer out there...BUT you ARE THE BEST!! THE BEST! THE BEST. You are in touch, on the ground. I don't know exactly what it is about you...but I DO KNOW that I feel blessed to have you!!!..."

"This is EXCELLENT info! Thank you so much. As always, DEM is a wealth of recruiting gold".

"You are becoming our recruiting Nostradamus!…"

"...thought this was one of the best and well-timed pieces of training I've sat in on in about 5 years!"

APSO calls Dem, 💬 “...one of the BEST recruitment specialist trainers in the country”

📜Email Dem at [email protected] to book your slot!

26/09/2025

DEMsays FunDEMentals Recruiter Training Series: 2.0!

⁉️ HOW are our Recruiters getting Fee Agreements back, signed, in 20 minutes, when everyone says they send a Fee Agreement, and it doesn’t come back?

⁉️ WHY is the Candidate Presentation Marketing Call working for some and not for others?

⁉️ HOW do our Recruiters get an 80 to 90% First Interview to Second Interview Ratio?

⁉️ WHAT is the FASTEST way to get a Job Order?

⁉️ HOW do our Recruiters get Referrals when everyone says people don’t give names or get back to them?

⁉️ HOW is a Recruiters desk different in 2025, and WHAT has really changed?

These, and a plethora of additional questions that Dem gets daily, all answered in our brand new Recruiter Training Series: DEMsays FunDEMental Recruiter Training Series 2.0!

Online Weekly Recruiter training from DEMsays SA! Pick your Topics, Pick your Dates, meet Dem LIVE Online!

APSO calls Dem, “...one of the BEST recruitment specialist trainers in the country...”

17/07/2025

JUST ADDED! Recruiters Diarise! 📅 UPCOMING DEMsays Recruiter Training Events!

Regardless of your level, years of experience, there is something for everyone…

Online Private Recruitment Training! The ENTIRE Placement Process...1 hour Per Week…Pick your Topics (or do them all!)…Select your Day and Time!

Marketing…Cold Call Recruiting…Referrals…Closing Deals…Prepping…Job Order Qualifying…Fees…Advanced Closing Techniques...Candidate and Client Objections…Making the most out of your Guarantee…Building Trust with Clients/ Candidates…The Salary Issue…Placement Warning Signs…Counter Offers…Recruiter Integrity…Reference Checking…Retainers…Working Higher Level Jobs…Big Biller Numbers and Ratios…Slumps and Burnout..and everything in between!

💙 The Buzz🐝 in the Industry about DEMsays Training💙...

APSO calls Dem, 💬 “...one of the BEST recruitment specialist trainers in the country”

"The spark you have lit in my team is amazing – if ANYONE needs a reference please use me. The terms are all being signed at full terms, your words are being used all over the place, your wisdom carried into our days. Just really want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your enthusiasm and effort you put into each training day”.

"Hey Dem! My whole team attended your Rookie session a few weeks back and loved it. Thank you!”

"Never, in 13 years did I receive such a response from consultants after a training session. The drive and enthusiasm is even felt by our support staff!

"I have attended training with almost every recruiting/staffing trainer out there...BUT you ARE THE BEST!! THE BEST! THE BEST. You are in touch, on the ground. I don't know exactly what it is about you...but I DO KNOW that I feel blessed to have you!!!..."

"You are becoming our recruiting Nostradamus!…"

"...thought this was one of the best and well-timed pieces of training I've sat in on in about 5 years!"

Set up your Recruiter Training Timeline NOW while there are still a few spots left! 👉

DEMsays, you can quote him…”There’s not much wrong in any of our lives that a Placement doesn’t fix…”🩹

08/07/2025

SA Recruiters, our latest ASK DEM is available NOW on our ASK DEM LinkedIn Group!

Ask Dem: Time Off Tied To Money?

❓Hi Dem,

Could you help me out with this? Our leave policy gives staff 15 days leave. We have set specific goals per recruiter and are considering allowing additional time off after they have hit their target of R150 000.00 in billings and at R200 000.00 in billings it would increase and increase again at R300 000.00. I am struggling with the amount of time to give. I am considering 3 extra days at R200 000.00 and an additional 5 days at R300 000.00. What does DEM say?

🙋🏻DEMsays,

I don’t believe in tying time off to commissions or salaries or benefits...

FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW AND JOIN THE ASK DEM GROUP TO READ DEM’S FULL RESPONSE...

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9516665/

Many say that the most popular part of DEMsays is the ongoing “Ask Dem❓” Q & A’s for Recruiters. A recruiter's day is full of tough decisions and judgment calls. Every week the industry's guru tackles those pressing situations.

One Recruiter called it...💬 "The best advice you can get, delivered in the most accessible way" 💬.

Only Members of the ASK DEM❓Group have access to this great resource!

03/06/2025

SA Recruiters, our latest ASK DEM is available NOW on our ASK DEM LinkedIn Group!

Ask Dem: Just Email the CV’s?

❓Hi Dem,

My client tells me to "just email" the CV's. No calls, even no cover letters. Then we get no response for days. He says it's their standard practice. Do I have to live with that?

🙋🏻DEMsays,

Do you have to live with that? I’m having a hard time just living with you asking the question.🤣...

FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW AND JOIN THE ASK DEM GROUP TO READ DEM’S FULL RESPONSE...

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9516665/

Many say that the most popular part of DEMsays is the ongoing “Ask Dem❓” Q & A’s for Recruiters. A recruiter's day is full of tough decisions and judgment calls. Every week the industry's guru tackles those pressing situations.

One Recruiter called it...💬 "The best advice you can get, delivered in the most accessible way" 💬.

Only Members of the ASK DEM❓Group have access to this great resource!

28/05/2025

SA Recruiters, our latest ASK DEM is available NOW on our ASK DEM LinkedIn Group!

NEW Ask Dem: Candidate Background Issues?

❓Hi Dem,

I have been recruiting for just over 6 years now and recently had 2 placements that had the same situation that I have never had happen before. Each candidate had a criminal charge in their background. For one of them it was 13 years ago and for the other it was just over 7 years ago. They both ended up coming through okay and accepted their offers but what is your suggestion on bringing this to the clients' attention? I have seen most companies go back 5-7 years, so with both of these cases I told the client that something may come up but didn't give any further details. It turns out that neither came up and it wasn't an issue. Your feedback is appreciated.

🙋🏻DEMsays,

I’m often torn about this part of our society...

FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW AND JOIN THE ASK DEM GROUP TO READ DEM’S FULL RESPONSE...

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9516665/

Many say that the most popular part of DEMsays is the ongoing “Ask Dem❓” Q & A’s for Recruiters. A recruiter's day is full of tough decisions and judgment calls. Every week the industry's guru tackles those pressing situations.

One Recruiter called it...💬 "The best advice you can get, delivered in the most accessible way" 💬.

Only Members of the ASK DEM❓Group have access to this great resource!

PS: Enquire about our Special Offer for SOLO/ FREELANCE Recruiters!

05/05/2025

Calling all SA Recruiters! Our latest ASK DEM is available NOW on our ASK DEM LinkedIn Group!

Ask Dem: Ghosting Candidates?

Hi Dem,

I read everything you send out even though I’ve been in this business many years, I still find myself learning. I have a question pertaining to candidate control and I am looking for a "Dem-ism”.

Lately I am having a lot of candidates simply ghost me and it is happening at each phase of the process. Part of it I can blame on the candidate, the rest of the responsibility is mine for not establishing the ground rules up front. I need to control my candidates better to provide appropriate feedback to my clients. What would you use to reduce the number of disappearing candidates?

DEMsays,

People do things for their own reasons. Candidates ghost you because they feel…

FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW AND JOIN THE ASK DEM GROUP TO READ DEM’S FULL RESPONSE…

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9516665/

Many say that the most popular part of DEMsays is the ongoing “Ask Dem❓” Q & A’s for Recruiters. A recruiter's day is full of tough decisions and judgment calls. Every week the industry's guru tackles those pressing situations.

One Recruiter called it...💬 "The best advice you can get, delivered in the most accessible way" 💬.

Only Members of the ASK DEM❓Group have access to this great resource!