Today we’d like to introduce you to Bret Hollander.

Bret is the founder and CEO of NETRECRUITER, a certified veteran-owned search firm that began operation in 1990 and provides recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) services for Information Technology (IT) companies that have been awarded contracts by agencies of the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Recruiting services include: Candidate Search, Interviewing, RFP Support, and Training. Since 1997, Bret has taught thousands of recruiting professionals how to maximize their recruitment efforts by utilizing the Internet. He is also the author of the Sourcerer’s Apprentice, a very popular newsletter targeting the Internet recruiter, and moderator of the largest LinkedIn group dedicated to transitioning military service members. He is a consummate road warrior, speaking at numerous major conferences each year, with topics such as “Cutting Edge Tools for the Internet Recruiter”, “Effective Recruiting Begins At Home”, and “Internet Recruiting Strategies.”

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?

Prior to 9-11 and after the end of the Cold War, concerns for security were not on the top ten list. Hence, a boutique industry as mine very focused on U.S. citizens with high-level security clearances was a serious challenge leading up to the fateful day September 11, 2001. I never expected such a terrible disaster to be inflicted on our country would ultimately launch my successful career in recruiting.

We’d love to hear more about your business.

We specialize in identifying and technically screening IT professionals who maintain high-level DoD security clearances for companies that have been awarded contracts by agencies under the DoD and DHS.

We are proud to support the mission of both the DoD and DHS in ensuring the safety and security of our citizens by providing top-notch, A-list candidates to perform the necessary work.

What sets us apart from others is that we primarily pursue passive job seekers, those not in the market who may be open to future possibilities, and tapping our large user base for referrals of their colleagues, friends, and associates. Whereas most other firms or in-house corporate recruiting establishments employ big bucks to pay for fee-based resume databases, offer contingent search fees, and participate in numerous job fairs.

What were you like growing up?

My favorite quote was: “I think out of the box because I am too big to fit inside.”

I always to seem to follow a path completely divergent of my parent’s expectations. When I should have entered college immediately after high school, I chose a minimum wage job for a year before deciding that I was now ready to commit to a college degree. Several years after graduating and becoming very successful in my career, I opted to take off for two years and join the US Peace Corps – again befuddling my parents and friends with this “impulsive” switch.

Looking back, everything I did served a later purpose that characterized my life, success, and happiness.