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

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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...