Episode 288 - How to Job Hunt During the Mid-Year Slowdown

If you're a job seeker heading into the mid-year period, particularly the June–July school holidays, you’ve likely heard the familiar refrain: “No one hires this time of year.” The job boards quiet down, recruiters take leave, and it’s easy to believe your career ambitions should be put on hold.

In this continuation of my conversation with leadership expert Michelle Redfern (Click here for Part 1), we unpack what it really means to look for a job during seasonal slowdowns, and why this mid-year window can offer a strategic advantage for experienced professionals.

Whether you’ve recently been made redundant, are voluntarily stepping away from a role, or just rethinking your next move, this episode is packed with practical insights for navigating this often-overlooked career season.

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Job Hunting Made Simple

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Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses

Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 Introduction to Advanced Job Search Strategies
• 00:57 Recap of Previous Episodes
• 06:29 Understanding the Hidden Job Market
• 09:15 What is the Hidden Job Market?
• 16:31 Strategies for Tapping into the Hidden Job Market
• 17:28 Reactive Job Search Strategies
• 22:21 Passive Job Search Strategies
• 28:39 Active Job Search Strategies
• 36:15 Combining Job Search Strategies
• 41:04 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 287 - Hiring Makes No Sense Anymore: Why Recruitment and Hiring Feel Like a Burden and How Leaders Can Fix Them
• Michelle's podcast Lead to Soar podcast, community and corporate services
• Episode 260 - The Final Stretch: Expert Career Insights for a Sluggish Job Market
• Episode 242 - The Role of Business Intelligence (BQ), Emotional Intelligence (EQ), and Social Intelligence (SQ) in Career Advancement
• Episode 121 - Impostor Syndrome and Fear of Success: A Conversation, with Michelle Redfern
• Episode 37 - The...

Episode 287 - Hiring Makes No Sense Anymore: Why Recruitment and Hiring Feel Like a Burden and How Leaders Can Fix Them

Hiring has become a dreaded task for many managers. It feels like a burden rather than an opportunity, especially when organizations are under pressure to restructure, meet operational targets, or operate with reduced budgets. In this of The Job Hunting Podcast (287), I’m sharing part one of a two-part conversation originally recorded for the Lead to Soar podcast, where I was interviewed by Michelle Redfern. Michelle and I explore the realities of hiring from the leader's perspective, especially in the current climate of economic volatility and organizational change. We discuss what makes hiring feel heavy and bureaucratic, and how we can shift the experience to make it more strategic and rewarding. Whether you’re a hiring manager or a job seeker, understanding both sides of the recruitment process is crucial.

Read the full Blog on the Website

Job Hunting Made Simple

Reset Your Career - Fast-Track Your Job Search in One Weekend

31 Days of Action for Job Seekers

Find Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career Grow

Join 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe Now

Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses

Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 Introduction to Job Hunting Dynamics
• 10:06 The Burden of Hiring: Insights for Managers
• 12:59 Navigating the Hiring Process: Challenges and Solutions
• 16:07 Understanding Ghost Jobs and Their Impact
• 19:12 The Importance of Workforce Planning
• 21:57 The Role of AI in Hiring: Balancing Technology and Humanity
• 25:12 Creating a Human-Centric Hiring Process
• 28:02 The Importance of Skills Matrix in Hiring
• 30:54 Fostering a Positive Hiring Culture
• 33:50 Conclusion and Next Steps for Job Seekers

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Michelle's podcast Lead to Soar podcast, community and corporate services
• Episode 260 - The Final Stretch: Expert Career Insights for a Sluggish Job Market
• Episode 242 - The Role of Business Intelligence (BQ), Emotional Intelligence (EQ), and Social Intelligence (SQ) in Career Advancement
• Episode 121 - Impostor Syndrome and Fear of Success: A Conversation, with Michelle Redfern
• Episode 37 - The Missing 33%: The CEO Confidant Improving Diversity and Inclusion in the Corporate...

Episode 286 - If You're Not Showing Up on LinkedIn, You’re Invisible: How Job Hunting Has Changed for Professionals Over 40

Experienced corporate professionals over 40 face a paradox: they bring extensive expertise, leadership, and resilience, yet they often confront hiring biases. If you’re over 40 and navigating a career change, know this: You don’t need to reinvent yourself. You just need to reposition. You’ve built a career. Let’s make sure it continues to serve you.

Here’s what I want you to remember:

• Your age and experience are assets.
• A strong resume and LinkedIn profile work together.
• Telling the right story matters more than sounding impressive.
• A focused, intentional search beats mass applications.
• Reconnection is more powerful than cold outreach.

This episode (286) is part 2 of my discussion on how to use age as your advantage to help mid-to-senior level professionals navigate career transitions confidently and effectively. The first part is episode 284, in which I analyze the current job market and discuss how to leverage it rather than see it as a barrier to entry.

Read the full Blog on the Website

Job Hunting Made Simple

Reset Your Career - Fast-Track Your Job Search in One Weekend

31 Days of Action for Job Seekers

Find Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career Grow

Join 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe Now

Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses

Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 Introduction to Career Transition for Professionals Over 40
• 10:21 Mindset Shift: Embracing Age as an Advantage
• 18:33 Crafting Effective Resumes and LinkedIn Profiles
• 31:45 The Power of Storytelling in Job Applications
• 37:10 Strategic Job Search: Quality Over Quantity
• 41:58 Networking: Building Connections with Confidence

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Article on LinkedIn
• Episode 284 - This Ain’t Your First Recession: How to Navigate Today’s Job Market Like a Pro
• Episode 283 - How to Succeed Without the Perfect Boss
• Episode 276 - How to Get a Job in 2025

About the host, Renata Bernarde

Hello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of

Episode 285 - You May Not Want Another Job — You May Want Your Own Business

One of the most interesting shifts post-COVID is the increase in the number of professionals choosing small businesses over large institutions. Many are seeking more autonomy, flexible work arrangements, less bureaucracy, quicker decision-making, and the satisfaction of building something tangible. TJ notes that while corporate skills like management and communication are incredibly valuable, small business operations demand flexibility, problem-solving, and comfort with ambiguity.

It’s also true that more professionals today are seeking purposeful careers that allow them to apply their skills in more entrepreneurial environments. As corporate professionals rethink what success means to them, many are finding new energy in small business ventures, whether by starting something of their own or joining a growing company.

In this episode of The Job Hunting Podcast, I interviewed TJ Slattery, founder of Crow's Nest Consulting. With a background that includes founding a brewery and advising small business owners across the U.S., TJ shares a wealth of insights for professionals looking to transition from corporate life to the small business world.

Read the full Blog on the Website

Job Hunting Made Simple

Reset Your Career - Fast-Track Your Job Search in One Weekend

31 Days of Action for Job Seekers

Find Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career Grow

Join 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe Now

Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses

Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 TJ Slattery's Entrepreneurial Journey
• 03:13 Consulting for Small Business Growth
• 06:06 The Importance of Seeking Help
• 09:09 Understanding Entrepreneurial Hubris
• 12:09 Practical Steps for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• 20:31 The Humbling Journey of Entrepreneurship
• 23:54 Navigating Failure and Risk in Business
• 26:48 The Importance of Job Market Awareness
• 29:06 Misconceptions in Small Business Hiring
• 31:44 The Dynamic Nature of Small Business Roles
• 36:51 The Value of Experienced Professionals in Small Businesses
• 39:58 Preparing Small Businesses for Sale
• 44:51 Future Trends in Small Business
• 49:04 Conclusion and Call to Action

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Crowsnest Consulting
• TJ Slattery's LinkedIn

About the host, Renata Bernarde

Hello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an...

Episode 284 - This Ain’t Your First Recession: How to Navigate Today’s Job Market Like a Pro

Inflation is slowing. Interest rates remain high. Companies are hiring, but cautiously. For experienced professionals, that mix translates into fewer job openings, more competition, and longer wait times. Meanwhile, the jobs that do exist are being filled differently. Some never even reach job boards.

This blog summarizes Episode 284 of The Job Hunting Podcast, in which I discuss the biggest challenges facing mid- to senior-level professionals and offer a strategy playbook for overcoming them. If you’re applying for roles and not hearing back or wondering how to reposition yourself in a slower, more selective market, this is for you.

Read the full Blog on the Website

Job Hunting Made Simple

Reset Your Career - Fast-Track Your Job Search in One Weekend

31 Days of Action for Job Seekers

Find Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career Grow

Join 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe Now

Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses

Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 Introduction to Job Market Analysis 2025
• 03:57 Current Economic Context and Job Market Trends
• 22:16 Strategies for Job Hunting in 2025
• 41:52 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 225 - Inside the Recruiter's Mind: Decoding the Recruitment Playbook to Land Your Next Role
• Article in The Age
• Other Episodes on Portfolio Career

About the host, Renata Bernarde

Hello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress.

Watch the Episodes on YouTube

Follow Renata on Social Media:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Episode 283 - How to Succeed Without the Perfect Boss

Traditional models of leadership have focused on influence over others: inspiring teams, delegating tasks, setting strategic direction. But the definition of leadership is expanding to include how we influence and guide ourselves. Self-leadership is about setting our own direction, managing our mindset, and taking proactive ownership of our careers.

We are witnessing a pivotal shift in how work is experienced and how careers are built, especially in the corporate sector. With mass layoffs making headlines and a growing number of organizations calling employees back to the office, professionals are facing unprecedented uncertainty. For many, the promise of purposeful work seems to conflict with the rigidity and pressure of corporate environments. Yet amid these complexities, there is a powerful idea gaining traction: self-leadership.

In this episode of The Job Hunting Podcast (283), I spoke with Elizabeth Lotardo, a leadership consultant, author, and educator who has worked with companies like Salesforce and Hilton. Her book, Leading Yourself: Finding More Joy, Meaning and Opportunities in the Job You Already Have, and her expertise in employee engagement offer timely and practical guidance for navigating today’s volatile job market. Elizabeth traced the origins of the self-leadership concept to ancient philosophy, yet emphasized that it is now finding new relevance in the corporate world. In 2017, she pioneered the first LinkedIn Learning course on the topic, and interest surged during the pandemic as remote work made self-direction a professional necessity. Her insight is especially relevant now as many organizations reduce headcount, restructure teams, and withdraw flexibility.

Read the full Blog on the Website

Job Hunting Made Simple

Reset Your Career - Fast-Track Your Job Search in One Weekend

31 Days of Action for Job Seekers

Find Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career Grow

Join 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe Now

Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses

Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 Introduction and Context Setting
• 04:37 Understanding Self Leadership
• 07:44 The Importance of Self Leadership in Today's Work Environment
• 10:26 Developing Self Leadership Skills
• 13:38 Navigating Career Development and Professional Growth
• 16:27 Job Crafting and Finding Meaning in Work
• 19:49 Dealing with Difficult Work Situations
• 22:40 Maintaining Mental Health and Wellbeing
• 25:32 Identifying Autonomy in Job Roles
• 28:30 Self Leadership Practices and Personal Development
• 31:28 Conclusion and Resources

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Elizabeth Lotardo's website
• Elizabeth Lotardo's...

Episode 282 - The New Era of Job Searching: What’s Changed and Why It Matters

The job search process has undergone a radical transformation. Today, AI-driven tools, automation, and evolving hiring trends dictate how professionals land their next roles. For experienced corporate professionals and executives, this shift presents both challenges and opportunities. If you are still using traditional job search methods, you may be unknowingly sabotaging your success. In this interview with Garrett Rice, former Apple product manager and co-founder of Callings.ai, we break down how AI is reshaping the hiring process and provide actionable strategies to help you stay ahead.

Read the full Blog on the Website

Job Hunting Made Simple

Reset Your Career - Fast-Track Your Job Search in One Weekend

31 Days of Action for Job Seekers

Find Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career Grow

Join 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe Now

Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses

Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 Navigating Job Search Challenges
• 12:32 The Role of AI in Job Seeking
• 22:16 Human Connection in Recruitment
• 30:38 The Controversy of Video Interviews
• 32:31 Preparing for the Future of Job Interviews
• 36:30 Predictions for the Future of Work
• 46:31 Leveraging AI for Job Seekers

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Learn more about Callings.ai
• Since recording this episode, Callings.ai created resources specifically for US Federal workers who have lost – or are about to lose - their jobs. Click here to learn more.

About the host, Renata Bernarde

Hello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress.

Watch the Episodes on YouTube

Follow Renata on Social Media:

• LinkedIn

Episode 281 - Pessimism is Fashionable but Optimism Wins: Why Positivity is Your Career’s Greatest Asset

There has never been a more crucial time for optimism in the corporate job market. As layoffs continue in various industries, economic uncertainties loom, and AI-driven changes disrupt traditional career paths, job seekers are navigating an increasingly complex landscape. In this article, I argue that a strategic, optimistic mindset is essential for professionals looking to advance their careers or land new roles.

In my recent conversation with Victor Perton, Chief Optimism Officer at the Center for Optimism, we explored how optimism shapes leadership, career growth, and resilience. The discussion reinforced a fundamental truth I’ve observed as a career coach: those who cultivate a positive outlook consistently outperform their peers in job searches, interviews, and long-term career progression.

Read the full Blog on the Website

Job Hunting Made Simple

Reset Your Career - Fast-Track Your Job Search in One Weekend

31 Days of Action for Job Seekers

Find Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career Grow

Join 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe Now

Lear More About Renata's career coaching and courses

Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 The Roots of Optimism
• 06:54 Personal Stories of Resilience
• 10:00 The Science of Optimism
• 12:58 Optimism in Leadership and Society
• 15:57 Practical Techniques for Cultivating Optimism
• 19:13 Navigating Job Searches with Optimism
• 22:10 Resilience in the Face of Rejection
• 24:58 The Role of Pessimism in Decision Making
• 28:19 Creating a Positive Environment
• 31:12 Final Thoughts on Optimism and Success

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Victor Perton's Podcast
• Centre for Optimism
• Victor Perton's LinkedIn

About the host, Renata Bernarde

Hello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their...