Men I love and the tenuous link to talent acquisition… Mitch Sullivan

A long time ago, I wrote a blog here.  

I was pissed off.  Not at anyone, in particular, but more at me.  My writing had got to being ok but had deteriorated again.  I wasn’t winning any awards, I wasn’t being asked for my opinion.

In that blog, I said, “If I was still writing about my awkward man crushes and their tenuous links to recruitment I would have a blog  dedicated to him.”

Here we are, nearly 9 years later and I’m finally writing something,

If you’ve spent any time in the recruitment world, particularly on LinkedIn, there’s one name that keeps popping up: Mitch Sullivan.

Mitch isn’t your typical recruitment marketing bod. 

He’s known for his razor-sharp wit, blunt approach, and a refreshing disdain for the buzzwords and fluff that seem to dominate our industry. In many ways, Mitch has become a voice for the recruiters who’ve grown tired of the endless noise and just want to cut to the chase.

Now, why Mitch Sullivan? Why not some smooth-talking sales leader or a corporate visionary? Because, like recruitment itself, Mitch is about substance over style. He’s built a career on calling things as they are, cutting through the corporate nonsense, and focusing on the most important part of recruitment marketing: honest communication. 

And honestly, there’s a lot we can all learn from his approach.

How can his no-nonsense philosophy change the way we engage with candidates and clients alike?

Authenticity: Forget the Fluff, Just Tell the Truth

If you’ve ever read one of Mitch’s job ads or posts, you’ll know that he doesn’t dance around the point.

There are no vague descriptions or overinflated claims about "world-class" this or "disruptive" that. Mitch tells it like it is, and that’s why his approach resonates with so many people.

In recruitment marketing, we often feel the need to dress things up—make the job sound a bit more glamorous than it really is, or polish the company culture so it seems shinier than it actually is.

But here’s the thing: people can smell BS from a mile away.

Candidates want to know what the job is actually like, not some over-marketed version of it. That’s where Mitch excels. He knows that a good job ad is one that speaks plainly, directly, and honestly. No fluff, no jargon, just the truth.

If you’re writing job ads or marketing a role, take a leaf out of Mitch’s book. 

Ask yourself, “Am I telling the candidate what they really want to know?”

Focus on the essentials—the challenges, the opportunities, the reality. Because in the end, that’s what people appreciate. And that’s what brings in the right candidates, not just the most candidates.

Humour: It’s Okay to Be Human

Mitch Sullivan is funny. 

But not in a forced, trying-too-hard way. His humour is rooted in everyday frustrations, the absurdities of corporate life, and the weirdness that comes with working in recruitment. And here’s the magic: humour makes people listen. 

It cuts through the noise. It builds connection.

As recruiters, we’re in the business of relationships. And yet, so often our communication is stiff, formal, and robotic. We use phrases like “dynamic, fast-paced environment” or “innovative and agile company” when really, we could just say, “It’s busy, but you’ll love the team.” 

Mitch’s humour and human tone make recruitment feel relatable, and that’s something we can all learn from.

Think about your job ads, your emails, or even your LinkedIn posts.

Do they sound like they were written by a person? Or do they sound like they came out of a corporate job ad generator? Injecting a bit of personality into your recruitment marketing can be the difference between candidates scrolling past or stopping to read. 

People want to feel like they’re engaging with a human being, not a company machine.

Simplicity: Say What You Mean

Mitch Sullivan has a unique way of making complex things simple. 

He doesn’t overcomplicate job ads with endless requirements, unnecessary qualifications, or confusing jargon. Instead, he focuses on the core elements of the role—what it’s about, what the candidate will do, and why they should care.

In recruitment, it’s easy to get bogged down in details. Job descriptions can quickly turn into laundry lists of skills and qualifications, most of which aren’t truly necessary. But simplicity, as Mitch constantly reminds us, is key. 

Candidates don’t want to read a novel—they want to understand what the job is and whether they can do it.

When writing a job ad, focus on the essentials. Strip away the jargon, cut out the noise, and ask yourself: what does the candidate really need to know? Not everything is important, and the more focused your message, the more likely you are to attract the right person.

Mitch’s approach teaches us that less is often more when it comes to recruitment marketing.

Boldness: Be Brave Enough to Be Different

Mitch is bold. 

He’s not afraid to ruffle feathers, challenge the status quo, or say the things most people are too polite to mention. And that’s what makes him stand out. In a sea of sameness, Mitch’s voice cuts through.

In recruitment marketing, playing it safe often leads to mediocrity. You end up with the same tired job ads, the same generic outreach, and the same cookie-cutter approach that everyone else is using.

But what if, like Mitch, you took a bolder approach? What if you were brave enough to write a job ad that didn’t just list out the job description but also gave candidates a real taste of what the role is like? What if you injected your company’s personality into the messaging instead of sounding like every other employer?

Being bold in recruitment isn’t about being brash—it’s about standing out. It’s about daring to do something different when everyone else is playing it safe. 

That’s where Mitch shines, and it’s where we, as recruiters, can push ourselves to be better. 

Be the Mitch Sullivan of Recruitment

Mitch Sullivan is a master of communication. He’s someone who knows that the best job ads aren’t the ones that try to be everything to everyone. They’re the ones that speak directly to the right person in the right way.

So, the next time you’re writing something, channel your inner Mitch Sullivan. 

Be authentic, be clear, and don’t be afraid to use a little humour or boldness to make your message stand out.

Because in recruitment, just like in life, the people who cut through the noise are the ones who aren’t afraid to be different. And if there’s one thing Mitch has taught us, it’s that standing out is always better than blending in.

If you want to find out more about Mitch head over to his Linkedin profile or check out his website here.

About

Whilst 2023 was a tough business year for Martin, his team and his business, 2024 looks brighter.

With an engaged community of over 30,000 talent acquisition professionals, Martin is ready to re-engage with TA leaders globally, supporting their TA operating model - whatever it looks like. From a single employee to now creating an enterprise-capable Talent Acquisition consultancy, Martin’s fast-growing firm, immersive, has already made a dent in the space.

2024 will see more thought leadership around talent acquisition, AI and doing more with less to support TA leaders to develop effective hiring models globally.