Exit To Excel Podcast

Forget the clickbait headlines, what’s really happening in the job market right now? In this episode of Exit to Excel, HR veteran LeTonya breaks down the real data and trends shaping your career in 2025: AI-driven skill shifts, geographic changes, generational dynamics, and the rapid pace of skill obsolescence. With 25 years in HR and advanced AI expertise, LT gives you the insider playbook to und...

Most people walk into a layoff conversation blindsided, unsure of what to ask or how to respond. In this episode of Exit to Excel, HR veteran LeTonya "LT" exposes what really happens in that room—what HR can’t say, what their scripted language really means, and the strategic questions that protect you. With 25 years in HR, four personal layoffs, and advanced AI-powered tools, LT gives yo...

Exit to Excel dives into October layoff season. HR veteran LT shares insider warning signs that layoffs are coming—company-wide red flags, personal risk clues, and how to prepare using AI tools, the F48 Framework, and smart career strategy. Spot the signs early, protect your job, and stay ahead of the market.#ExitToExcel #LayoffWarningSigns #CareerStrategy #JobSecurity #LayoffSeason #HRInsights #C...

Your digital first impression can make or break your job search, often before a human ever sees your application. In this episode of Exit to Excel, host LeTonya an HR veteran with 25 years of experience and advanced AI training reveals what recruiters really see when they scan your LinkedIn profile and resume. If your profile isn’t generating interviews or your resume keeps getting rejected by App...

Laid off? What you do in the first 48 hours shapes your next 6 months. In this Exit to Excel episode, LT shares her proven F48 Framework to turn layoffs into comebacks. Learn what to do in Hours 1–48, how to protect your reputation, assess your finances, and use AI tools to plan your next career move. Don’t react—strategize.#LayoffRecovery #CareerStrategy #F48Framework #JobSearchTips #AIforCareers...

Laid off? Your next move matters. In this Exit to Excel episode, LeTonya reveals 6 critical mistakes people make in the first 48 hours after a layoff—like rushing decisions, signing documents too soon, or posting in panic. Avoid these traps to protect your severance, reputation, and next opportunity. Pause, plan, and take control of your comeback.#ExitToexcel #LayoffRecovery #JobSearchTips #Career...

In 2025, your resume has 6 seconds to win over recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS). Most fail because they read like job descriptions instead of proof of results. In this episode of Exit to Excel, I reveal the AI-powered workflow that transforms resumes into competitive weapons. You’ll learn:✅ How to turn STAR+ stories into recruiter-ready bullets✅ 3 AI prompts that optimize for ATS...

Are you over 45 and struggling with today’s job market? You’re not just competing on skills—you’re competing against ageism, bias, and outdated assumptions. In this episode of Exit to Excel, career strategist and former HR leader LT shares proven strategies to help professionals over 45 turn experience into a competitive advantage. With 20+ years of HR leadership at Barclays, Merck, and Honeywell—...

Graduating in 2025? The job market is tougher than ever, record unemployment, fewer entry-level roles, and AI filters killing 97% of applications. But champions don’t play by old rules. In this episode of Exit to Excel, LT reveals The First Draft Framework: a proven system to position yourself as draft-worthy talent, break the “experience paradox,” and win offers in hidden job markets. Don’t just...

Landing a job offer isn’t the endgame—it’s the start of a high-stakes negotiation. In this episode of Exit to Excel, LT reveals The Championship Offer Protocol: a step-by-step framework for evaluating offers beyond salary, mastering employer negotiation tactics, and managing multiple offers with precision. Learn insider HR confessions, AI-powered tools, and proven scripts to secure maximum value f...

Turn interviews into job offers with the Championship Interview Protocol! In this episode of Exit to Excel, career strategist LT shares elite athlete-level strategies for research, storytelling, and in-the-moment execution. Learn the C.I.P. framework, master tough scenarios, and follow up like a pro. Stop hoping for offers—start competing for them!(00:00:00) - Intro(00:05:30) - #ASKLT(00:09:05) -...

Struggling with interview nerves or imposter syndrome? In this episode of Exit to Excel, LT shares real talk and neuroscience-backed strategies to conquer anxiety, reframe rejection, and build authentic confidence. Learn how to master your mindset before the interview even begins. Stop spiraling—start competing!(00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:10) - About Me/On Today's episode (00:06:10) - #ASKLT (00:...

Most jobs aren't posted. They're passed through people. In this Exit to Excel episode, LT breaks down how to build authentic, career-boosting relationships—without feeling fake, pushy, or awkward. From introvert-friendly strategies to AI-powered tools, this is your championship networking playbook. Whether you’re unemployed, pivoting careers, or tired of the job board grind, this episode w...

⏱ You’ve got 8 seconds. That’s how long a recruiter scans your LinkedIn profile before deciding to connect—or keep scrolling. In this powerhouse episode of Exit to Excel, we’re blowing up the myth that LinkedIn is just a digital resume. Instead, we show you how to turn your profile into a 24/7 Player Profile—a magnetic, keyword-optimized, results-driven tool that attracts dream roles while you sle...

Most resumes are a total snooze-fest — filled with job duties, outdated formats, and zero proof of value. In this episode, we’re fixing that. LT breaks down the Winning Resume Strategy that turns your generic resume into a strategic weapon designed to land interviews and win offers. You’ll learn how top performers build their resumes to get past ATS, impress hiring managers, and prove their value...

Think your results speak for themselves? Think again. In this episode of Exit to Excel, LT reveals how to create a Brag Book packed with strategic, quantified proof that you’re not just another job seeker—you’re the candidate. Learn how to brag smart, tell stories that stick, and use your wins to land the role. Stop being humble. Start being undeniable.(00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:30) - About Me(00:03...

Are you tired of applying to hundreds of jobs and hearing nothing back? In Episode 4 of Exit to Excel, we're calling out the biggest mistake job seekers make: spray-and-pray applications. It doesn’t work—and today, we’re replacing that outdated approach with a winning job search strategy that actually gets results. Host LeTonta (a former HR exec and layoff survivor) breaks down why blindly app...

If your resume feels flat, if interviews leave you tongue-tied, or if you're applying to dozens of jobs with no traction, this episode will change the game. LT introduces the concept of your Championship Identity — a powerful way to articulate your unique value by thinking like a pro athlete preparing for a championship. You’ll learn the exact difference between “Generic Gary” and “Championship Ch...

Ever wonder how layoffs really happen behind closed doors? In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what I call “The Before”—the critical weeks and months of planning that unfold long before anyone hears those dreaded words in a conference room. I’ll walk you through the real layoff timeline, from executive decisions made in boardrooms to legal planning and manager training. You’ll he...

On the first episode of Exit To Excel LeTonya Shaw breaks down what to do in the first 48 hours after being laid off. LeTonya discusses he first layoff and how she learned over 20 years the proper way to handle being laid off. She breaks down hour by hour how to deal with this stressful process. (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:05) - Exit To Excel Introduction (00:03:20) - #ASKLT Explainer (00:06:40) - M...

Welcome to the Exit To Excel podcast Hosted by LeTonya Shaw. This podcast is for anyone navigating the emotional and practical challenges of job loss. Whether you're reeling from the initial shock, figuring out your next steps, or searching for motivation to rebuild, we'll walk this path together. Each episode will blend personal stories, expert insights, and actionable strategies to help...