Art of Search - Hiring Manager Series

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series , Somer and Zen dive into a common but complex recruiting challenge—what happens when you inherit a role that’s been open for a while?  They walk through how recruiters should approach these situations with a fresh perspective, starting with a deep diagnostic of the search. From understanding what’s already been done to identifying gaps and p...

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series , we’re joined by Gina Barge, Principal at JM Search, to break down how to guide hiring managers through the complexities of launching a successful search. Gina emphasizes the importance of taking a step back at kickoff to build a clear scorecard, define success criteria, and set realistic timelines and expectations. She offers thoughtful gui...

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring in the Age of AI , we’re joined by Shelley Perry, Board Director and C-suite coach specializing in the scale-up stage of growth, to explore how AI is reshaping the way companies hire and evaluate executives. She pulls back the curtain on how AI is quietly reshaping who stays in the C-suite, who gets replaced, and who is not making the cut during the executi...

This week on Art of Search, Somer and Zen break down interview styles that lead to better hiring decisions. They explore open-ended versus specific interview questions, what each reveals about a candidate, and why relying too heavily on one approach can leave gaps. The conversation also highlights the importance of a prepared, consistent interview process to fairly evaluate candidates and make inf...

This week on The Art of Search: Hiring in the Age of AI, we’re joined by Priya Reddy, Founder/CEO of Priya Reddy Consulting, former Chief Data Officer, AI and data investor, board advisor, and adjunct faculty.  Priya walks us through how she thinks about intentional hiring and how that approach has evolved as AI becomes more embedded in how we build teams. Instead of checking boxes, she focuses on...

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring in the Age of AI, we sit down with Ha Nguyen—Fractional COO, community builder and Founder & Managing Partner of NextStep Advisory & Consulting. Ha Nguyen joins us to explore how, even in an AI-saturated world, success still hinges on showing up for people. She discusses her philosophy of being a “go-giver,” the value of building communities to help...

In this episode, we’re joined by Erynn Petersen, tech leader and CEO of Emme, for a grounded and insightful look at what it takes to thrive in today’s AI-driven hiring landscape. Erynn shares the credentials and qualities she values most in candidates right now, highlighting natural curiosity, a deep connection to customers and their needs, and a practical understanding of AI concepts. Above all,...

We kick off our new season of Art of Search with a new focus on Hiring in the Age of AI. This season explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we hire, build teams, and grow talent. Starting with Nisha Paliwal, who is an entrepreneur, former CTO and seasoned technology leader for top financial institutions for the past 20 years, we dive into how AI is powering smarter hiring, he...

Titles are different from company to company so when you're handed a job that doesn't exist anywhere else, where do you start? In this episode, Somer asks Zen how she approaches these unique hiring challenges. Zen shares how it all begins with asking the right questions, clarifying the business need, and uncovering what the role really is. Tune in to learn how to approach roles that are...

In this episode of Art of Search – Hiring Manager Series , Somer and Zen share how to create a more effective interview experience. They break down what it takes to strike the right balance between vetting candidates and selling the role while clearly communicating its vision. Tune in to learn the key tactics great hiring managers use to drive better outcomes. 

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series , Somer and Zen unpack the role of metrics in executive search, highlighting both the pros and cons. They explain how each stage, from outreach to offer, tells a story, but it's thoughtful interview feedback that often unlocks the most successful and productive searches. Check out the full episode to learn more! 

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series, Somer and Zen dive into the art of delivering the full picture to candidates including the not-so-glamorous details. They break down why honesty from the start builds long-term trust and prevents painful surprises later. Learn how to lead with the positives, follow up with the real talk, and why phone conversations beat email when it comes t...

Chris Cox, Chief Technology & Digital Officer at Keller Williams Realty, joins the show to talk about uncovering hidden talent during times of transformation, building cultures where people can step out of their lanes and shine, and why confident humility is key to servant leadership. He also shares hard-earned lessons on hiring including why resumes only tell half the story and why real insig...

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series , Somer and Zen discuss one of the most pivotal moments in the hiring process: the offer stage. What happens when your top candidate is also fielding multiple offers? How can you confidently know they’ll choose yours? This conversation explores the art of building deep trust with candidates so they feel safe sharing the full picture.  Somer a...

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series , we’re joined by Akanksha Manik Talya, Chief Product Officer and transformation leader. She shares her approach to hiring during times of change, focusing on potential, adaptability, and alignment. From startups to large enterprises, Akanksha offers real-world strategies on building balanced teams and taking smart bets on people, just as oth...

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series, we’re joined by Vince Tseng, CEO of Partnerslate, to explore the complexities of hiring for startups. Vince shares valuable insights on the unique challenges of recruiting for business operators and generalists in startup environments—where uncertainty is the norm. Vince emphasizes the importance of resilience and grit, highlighting how the...

This week on Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series , Somer and Zen explore what happens when a company decides to make an offer to a candidate. Will the candidate be prepared for it? They discuss the importance of allowing candidates time to evaluate the role and company before reaching the offer stage, providing transparency throughout the interview process. By giving candidates the time and space...

This week on Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series , we have the privilege of speaking with Andrea Constantinides, Head of Global Talent Acquisition at Shift Technology. With over 25 years in the talent space, Andrea shares her expert insights on identifying and hiring top-tier talent. She takes us through her hiring process, emphasizing what she looks for beyond just a resume—traits like adaptabil...

In this week's episode of the  Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series , we explore what makes a great interview question. It’s not just about asking yes/no questions or checking boxes—it’s about curiosity. Great questions invite candidates to share stories and examples, revealing their true capabilities.  We discuss how to dig deep, listen actively, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions to tru...

In this episode, we’re joined by Sofia Kaufman, Chief People Officer at Point Wild, as she unpacks the challenges of hiring at speed and scale without losing sight of company culture. Growth is inevitable, but it’s the transformation that follows—especially in culture—that makes or breaks success. Sofia digs into the delicate balance between hiring for "culture fit" versus "culture...

When you talk to a great candidate who isn't a fit for a role today, but you feel they would be a great addition to your organization, what do you do? Do you create a role for them? How do you stay in touch with them for months or even years?  In this episode, Erica Piper, Sr. Director, Executive Talent Acquisition at Capital One, answers these and other questions. She shares her approach to...

If you were tasked with building a technology team from scratch in a completely unfamiliar geography, how would you ensure you’re hiring the right people? In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series, we talk with Sravana Karnati, EVP of Global Technology Platforms, about his approach to hiring and leading in diverse geographies. Sravana shares his methodology of scaling teams rapidly w...

How do you create a world class hiring experience scaling companies from 1,200 to 12,000 or 8,000 to 50,000? I’m honored to have Cindy Nicola with us today on the podcast, who has done just that. She was kind enough to share her wisdom with us and there are so many great takeaways here that all hiring leaders can learn from.  In this episode of Art of Search, Zen and Somer are joined by Cindy Nico...

In this episode of "Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series," Zen Mak and I chat with Robert Sears, the Chief Product Officer at Accion Opportunity Fund. Robert is a seasoned C-Level executive, innovator, and serial entrepreneur having been a CEO, COO, and founder of pioneering companies, including one of the first consumer neobanks and a SaaS platform for lending and payments.  We talk abo...

In this episode, Somer Hackley and Zen Mak dive deep into the delicate dance of determining whether a candidate will say 'yes' to your offer. They explore the subtle signs that reveal a candidate's true level of interest and how to decipher them, emphasizing the importance of asking the tough questions—those we often shy away from—and honing the skill of active listening.