Behind the Hire Podcast

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Rich Bradley, Founder of TeamBradley, to talk about what stays true in recruiting even as the market and technology keep shifting. Rich shares how recruiting found him, how his mindset evolved from competition to service, and why relationship building and daily discipline still win. They break down the most common interview mistake he s...

In this episode, Jesse Gale sits down with Amy Simpson, Sr. Insurance Industry Recruiter at The James Allen Companies Inc, to unpack what really separates standout candidates from the rest in today’s evolving hiring market. Amy shares insider perspective from years of recruiting across the insurance industry, including the most common interview mistakes executives make, why transparency with recru...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with David Fishman to unpack nearly 30 years of recruiting experience across executive search and staffing, including C suite and director level placements across manufacturing, engineering, finance, and cross border roles in the U.S. and Mexico. David shares what makes a candidate stand out fast, why your LinkedIn and resume must match, and...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Andy Miller, Founder and CEO of BrainWorks, to unpack what actually separates standout executive candidates from everyone else. Andy shares how he got into recruiting, the types of clients and roles BrainWorks supports across its 14 practice areas, and the key differences he sees between Fortune level companies and fast moving growth st...

In this episode, Jesse sits down with Kira Gale of Accenture to unpack what HR transformation really means and why it matters more than most leaders realize. Kira shares how her early work in healthcare technology and global team enablement sparked her move into consulting, then breaks down the biggest hurdles companies face when modernizing HR, from hidden process complexity to the capability gap...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Alex Drury, Partner at Hanover, to discuss what helps healthcare executives stand out in today’s evolving job market. Alex shares his path into executive search, how he partners with healthcare payers, providers, and supporting organizations nationwide, and why a relationship-first approach is essential at the senior leadership level. T...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Renee Dovich, Founder of Career Encore and a 20 plus year executive recruiting veteran, to break down how recruiting is changing in the AI era. Renee shares how she moved from technical recruiting into building a modern search firm focused on SaaS startups and go to market roles, plus what her AI Talent Partner model looks like for high grow...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Danny Cahill, the longtime leader of Hobson Associates, to unpack how executive search has evolved from a high turnover boiler room model into a more professional, partnership driven firm built for the long haul. Danny shares his take on the real impact of AI in recruiting, why early stage screening is quickly shifting toward automation, and...

In this episode, Krystena Sterling joins Jesse to explore how intentional leadership, organizational psychology, and genuine curiosity can reshape the way executives lead. She breaks down why great coaching isn’t about giving answers but about asking the right questions, how unconscious biases influence decision-making, and what leaders should prioritize when stepping into new roles or positioning...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, our team sits down with Aurora Baumgartner, an executive recruiter specializing in electronics manufacturing services at FPC of Huntsville. Aurora shares her unexpected path into recruiting, the types of clients and candidates she supports, and the evolving hiring trends she sees within the EMS world. She offers practical advice for executives on how to avoid ov...

In this episode, Jesse sits down with Lynn Barboza, an Executive Recruiter at Strategic Government Resources, for a deep and engaging conversation about what truly sets executive candidates apart today. Lynn shares how her early passion for people led her into HR and recruiting, the impact of similarity bias in hiring, and why the strongest executives are those who can clearly and authentically te...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Tyler Weiss, an executive recruiter specializing in construction and real estate development at Neeljym Search Group. Tyler shares how he fell into recruiting, why the industry’s massive retirement gap is creating unprecedented opportunity, and how executives can tap into the hidden job market long before roles are ever posted. He breaks dow...

In this episode, executive recruiter Suzanne L. Rey traces her path from marketing into search and focuses on director through C-suite roles across real estate development, climate tech, and high-growth startups. Topics include culture and leadership dynamics that make or break a hire, why many managers are never trained to hire, and how subtle biases and overconfidence derail decisions. Suzanne e...

In this episode, Andrea Colabella shares why she launched The Cardea Group in 2009 to deliver a white glove experience for both clients and candidates, and outlines her focus on buy side investment management across hedge funds, private equity, private credit, venture capital, and family offices with a specialty in legal and compliance. She highlights a key trend of firms hiring C suite leaders li...

In this episode, Alexis and Kimberly share how they help executives navigate the accounting and finance job market, emphasizing why treating the search like a full-time job makes all the difference. We discuss the right way to build relationships with recruiters, the importance of transparency and respect, and the ethical standards that set their firm apart—including their long-standing no-poach p...

In this episode, Ryan shares how he went from campus recruiting to executive search and why he loves the relationship-driven nature of VP to C-suite hiring in B2B enterprise software. He breaks down what top executives do differently, including crisp storytelling of impact and a repeatable playbook. He also offers practical advice for leaders switching industries, including when to step back in sc...

In this episode, Joel Ogle walks through his path from politics into recruiting and how he became a top producer focused on real estate, property management, and facilities roles. He shares the most common executive job search mistakes, why people still hire people, and how to get real value from a recruiter. Joel also introduces his ROPE framework Reality, Opportunity, Preparedness, Emotion and g...

In this episode, Matt shares how he found his way into recruiting, what types of clients and candidates he serves, and the biggest trends shaping the finance and accounting market. We dig into the talent shortage, how AI is changing transactional roles, and why flexibility and speed matter in today’s hiring process. Matt also gives tactical advice for job seekers on tailoring resumes with clear im...

In this episode, Friddy Hoegener shares how his background in supply chain inspired the creation of SCOPE Recruiting—a boutique firm where every recruiter brings real-world supply chain experience. He discusses common mistakes executives make during interviews, misconceptions about recruiters’ roles, and how networking remains the most powerful tool for career advancement. Friddy also offers pract...

Jesse talks with Scott Tucker, Executive Leadership Recruiter at Oracle, about how leaders get noticed and hired: tight resumes, focused interviews, smart research, and real culture fit. Straight talk and actionable tips for executives planning their next step.

In this episode of Behind the Hire, I talk with Cheryl Bedard, President and Executive Recruiter at Cheryl Bedard Search. Cheryl shares her journey into recruiting, her unique approach to connecting candidates with opportunities, and advice for executives—especially those transitioning from government to the private sector—on how to position themselves for success. Learn More: www.bedardsearch.com...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale speaks with Jerome Verity-Thomas, Market Head Consultant & Executive Recruiter at Novo. Jerome shares how he was recruited into recruiting, dives into the niche Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) industry, and highlights key hiring trends. Connect with Jerome on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jerome-verity-thomas

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Tomika Sanders, Executive Recruiter at Paylocity, to explore what truly makes executive candidates stand out in today’s market. Mika shares her journey into recruiting, the human impact of her work, and the most common mistakes executives make during the job search. From personal branding to interview preparation and understanding compa...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale speaks with Erin Wood, Executive Recruiter and Training Manager at Aviation Search Group. Erin shares her unique journey from the Army National Guard to executive recruiting, offering grounded advice for candidates navigating the hiring space. She highlights the importance of research before interviews, avoiding overconfidence, and why personality fit...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale speaks with Stefanie Howse, Executive Recruiter and Owner of IN DEMAND Recruitment & Consulting Inc. With over two decades in executive search, Stefanie shares how she built a thriving boutique firm specializing in manufacturing and engineering roles across North America. She breaks down what clients are demanding today—like degrees and citizenshi...