Behind the Hire Podcast

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...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale speaks with Regina Angeles, Founder of TalentNow Solutions and a seasoned executive recruiter. She offers practical insight into today’s job market, emphasizing the need for targeted networking over cold applications, especially in a highly competitive landscape. Regina also highlights common mistakes startups make when hiring senior talent, the impor...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Roxxann Sczepanik, Partner and Executive Recruiter at Joseph Chris Partners, to explore what truly sets executive candidates apart. Roxxann shares why resiliency matters more than accolades, the most common interview mistake she sees, and what leadership traits today’s employers are really looking for.  You can reach Roxxann at roxxanns...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Bryan Fletcher, Executive Recruiter and Principal at Fletcher Search. From a sudden career pivot to finding purpose in helping others navigate the job market, Bryan shares candid insights on the evolving hiring landscape, common mistakes executives make in their job search, and what today’s candidates need to do to stand out.

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Ben Watkins, Executive Recruiter and Co-Founder of Intrinsic Executive Search, to discuss today’s evolving job market. Ben shares key insights on hiring trends across the U.S. and Europe, what top SaaS companies are really looking for, and how executives can position themselves for success.

In this episode, Jesse Gale sits down with Jennifer Abrahamson—an experienced recruiter and career coach who's spent over two decades helping professionals find alignment between their careers and personal values. Jennifer shares her journey from executive office management to launching her own coaching practice and medical industry recruitment agency. Together, they explore today’s job marke...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Eric Falt, Executive Recruiter and Managing Partner at Executive Search Associates. With over 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, Eric shares his unique perspective on what makes an executive placement truly successful. They dive into topics like the importance of cultural fit, the growing challenges rural hospitals face in to...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Somer Hackley — executive recruiter, founder of Distinguished Search, and author of Search in Plain Sight. Somer shares candid insights on what executives often get wrong in their job search — and what it really takes to stand out in today’s market. The conversation covers the mindset shift candidates need to make — from chasing jobs to...

In this episode, Jesse Gale sits down with Amy Potts, an executive recruiter specializing in accounting and finance roles in the Detroit market. Amy shares why listening well and positioning yourself as a problem solver are two of the most overlooked ways candidates can stand out in today’s job market. Jesse and Amy talk about current hiring trends, mistakes candidates make, and how long-term rela...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Jim Sullivan, President of Galaxy Management Group, to unpack what’s happening behind the scenes in recruiting. Jim shares how he got started in the industry and why he’s stayed for over two decades. Together, they explore the biggest challenges candidates face today—from feeling like they’re not a perfect match to navigating job transi...

In this episode, we sit down with Olivia, a recruiter with over a decade of experience, to explore her unique path from performing arts to the corporate world. Olivia shares how her childhood in Chicago and her mother's career influenced her entry into recruitment. We discuss the challenges of the current white-collar recession, the growing disconnect between job market data and lived experie...

In this episode, Jesse Gale sits down with Jennifer Tierney, founder of Tierney Recruiting, to explore her journey from a hectic career as a regional manager to building a thriving recruitment firm. Jennifer shares how she balanced a demanding career with family life, her philosophy on integrity in business, and the importance of building genuine relationships with clients and candidates. With 27...

In this episode of Behind the Hire, we sit down with Melissa Eisler, Executive Coach & Partner at Evolution, to discuss the transformative power of coaching for leaders. Melissa shares her journey from content strategy leader to executive coach, and how mindfulness and leadership development shaped her career path. We dive deep into the importance of 360 feedback, effective communication, and...

In this episode, Jesse Gale sits down with Marissa Marsala, a seasoned executive coach and recruiter with a unique background in HR, marketing, and career development. Marissa shares powerful strategies on navigating career transitions, tackling salary negotiations, and maintaining the right mindset through challenging times. She reveals how her experience with LinkedIn’s Profinder launch helped h...