In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark Willcox sits down with former professional poker player turned recruiter, Joe Sebok, to talk about his wild career journey. Joe was part of the poker boom in the 2000s, playing on televised World Series of Poker tables, running his own media company, and even building an early social media platform for poker pros. But when the online poker industry collapsed in 2011, he had to reinvent himself—eventually landing in the world of recruiting, where he’s now building a thriving business.
Joe shares the lessons he’s learned from poker that apply directly to recruiting and business: reading people, managing risk, and knowing when to go all-in. He talks about the power of reinvention, why so many recruiters fail because they avoid doing the actual work, and how leaning into your strengths can give you a real competitive advantage. He also opens up about navigating public scrutiny, handling high-pressure situations, and overcoming mental blocks that hold people back from success.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career, doubted your next move, or struggled to stand out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with insights on mindset, personal branding, and making strategic bets on yourself. Don’t miss this one!
*HIGHLIGHTS*
00:00 - Introduction & Digital Recruiter Newsletter
01:00 - Welcoming Special Guest: Joe Seabock
02:00 - Joe’s Background: From Poker Pro to Recruiter
04:00 - Life After Poker: A Reset in Wine Country
06:00 - Transition to Recruiting & Career Growth
09:00 - The Power of Strategic Advantages
12:00 - Social Media & Content Marketing for Recruiters
15:00 - Joe’s Journey into Professional Poker
18:00 - The Poker Boom & Media Evolution
22:00 - Lessons from Poker Applied to Recruiting
27:00 - Recognizing Industry Trends & Pivoting
32:00 - The Mental Game of Business & Success
38:00 - The Role of Confidence & Commitment
45:00 - Overcoming Setbacks & Navigating Change
50:00 - Social Media Challenges & Haters
55:00 - Recruiting, Market Trends & Career Advice
1:00:00 - Final Thoughts & Takeaways
*JOE's BIO*
After beginning his career as a professional poker player in 2005, winning several titles and competing in both the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour, Sebok ceased playing full-time in 2009 to make his shift into media and business. He did so effectively, helping spearhead poker’s first televised media reporting program, as well as several of poker’s most popular radio programs across the globe.
Sebok joined the recruiting and talent acquisition ranks in 2015 and won awards while at the largest creative recruiting agency in North America before transitioning to work in-house and build several entire teams from scratch. His additional experience in marketing, sales, and operations further strengthens his robust proficiency in understanding clients’ open positions and what is required to staff them both effectively and expeditiously.
You can find Joe on LinkedIn at
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