The Career Transition Experts

Every stage of your career transition is important, as each needs to work together to bring the results you want. Recently, I asked veteran search professional Candice Zaniewski which stage she recommends putting the most focus on. This is a tough question, and she gave a great answer! In this episode, you'll learn how to advocate for yourself from the start in order to build a great foundati...

I'm excited to have Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver , on The Career Transition Experts! In this episode, Bob shares a wealth of information and some incredible strategies to help you approach your networking efforts with an "interpreneurial" mindset. Leaders in the corporate world need to use many of the same strategies that entrepreneurs use to build their networks; they just a...

Entrepreneurs build their businesses by serving and offering immense value to others. It's how they expand their network, retain valuable customers, and scale. However, they're not the only ones that can use this technique. As a leader within a business, you can also grow and advance your career by approaching it with an entrepreneurial - or "intrepreneurial" - mindset. As Bob...

Even if you're not an entrepreneur yourself, it's beneficial to approach your networking activities as if you were. This can be called an "intrepreneurial" approach - networking as an entrepreneur, but within a corporate setting. Your "customers" as an intrepreneur includes your hiring parties, your networking contacts, your colleagues and the people you lead, among o...

Interview preparation is key, but often, candidates stop at learning about the company they're interviewing for and preparing their job experience. As veteran search professional Anthony Caputi shares, it is also essential to anticipate and plan answers to the right questions during your interview in order to set yourself apart as the top candidate. Anthony shares some of these questions in t...

In order to position yourself as the top candidate for the job you'll love, you need be able to show that you are the person they need - that you can solve the key problems, that you've done your research, and that you'll fit well into the company culture. When you only have an hour or so to position yourself during an interview, it pays to be prepared. In today's episode, Jona...

In the midst of the current pandemic and with a look toward the future post-pandemic “new normal,” as cliché as that may sound, it’s likely that nothing is going to go completely back to normal. That’s the bad news. There is good news, though! With so many businesses in the process of pivoting and change, it’s a great time to set a new trajectory in your career. Whether you have found yourself lai...

We all know that basic interview preparation is essential, but if you want to position yourself as the top candidate, this prep needs to go beyond planning out how to articulate your experience and value proposition. In order to set yourself apart, you need to be able to find out (through research and asking the right questions) what problems the company is actually trying to solve. You may have t...

Navigating a job search can be stressful, but there are ways to shift your mindset and stay ahead of the game. In this episode, Jonathan shares three important strategies to help you develop and maintain a proactive mindset. Cultivating a proactive mindset will help you in many ways. Not only will it help you stay positive, but it will also give you a distinct advantage in developing a clear, orga...

Ten years ago, Marty Gilbert founded NSENG (NorthShore Executive Networking Group) in the Chicago area with five leaders who were looking for jobs. They brainstormed, networked, and collaborated to help each other along their career paths.  Today, NSENG is the area's largest job search network with over 6,500 members. This group is growing quickly and has been very successful in helping its m...

I often ask my podcast guests about mistakes or poor choices they've seen candidates or hiring managers make. This isn't to point out the people who make the errors, but to help my listeners learn from the mistakes of others. In this episode, NSENG founder Marty Gilbert explains the importance of not speaking negatively about your past, even about things that may not have been very posit...

Competition in the job market is tough, now more than ever. In order to land the job you want, you have to be willing to do what the majority of your competition won't. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are often considered the "gateway" to getting your foot in the door, but there are times that the algorithm can weed out the best candidates. When you proactively treat your job searc...

A successful career transition or job search requires a strong strategy - it's very much like a marketing campaign. The main difference is that you are the product. One of the foundations of that marketing strategy is having a strong target company list. This practice provides the focus of your strategy - it gives you both the focus you need to stay on track and a "warmer" list of c...

Many candidates consider the obvious aspects of a position when they decide whether to apply - the location, the salary, and skills required. These are all important things to think about, but in order to find the job you'll love - the role that's right for you - you'll need to go deeper. Marc Hutto, a veteran search professional who uses a method called Purpose Driven Recruitment,...

When you're networking with a new contact or preparing for an interview, one of the most challenging aspects can be knowing how to communicate. Many people find it difficult enough to articulate their experience, values, and strengths without also trying to determine the wording and attitude that will best resonate with the other person. In our full episode this week, veteran search professio...

When you are in the midst of a career transition, the options can become a bit overwhelming. How can you know that a role is right for you? In this week's episode, Jonathan talks with veteran search professional Marc Hutto. Marc shares some incredible insights regarding the key career drivers that he uses to help his candidates obtain clarity regarding the positions that best fit them. Marc p...

Carl Bradford, owner of Bradford Consulting , is a 40-year veteran of the recruiting industry. He has experience both in corporate and private recruiting; he also trains other recruiters in the method of performance based hiring. Because of this experience, he has experience in nearly every recruiting industry. In this episode, Carl shares vital strategies to help you stand out as a candidate, no...

Effective communication and the willingness to be open and honest with your recruiter is a vital part of your career transition. Your recruiter is a vital part of the process, and keeping them up to date can do a lot to accelerate your job search. Carl Bradford, a search professional with over 40 years of experience, shares his thoughts on the importance of staying in communication with your recru...

There are many different "moving parts" to a successful career transition, and each is important to focus on. However, some of these can make a huge difference in the outcome of your job search. One thing that is especially important to focus on is your interview prep. During your interview, you'll have limited time to convey your experience, value proposition, and personality - all...

What are companies really looking for when they interview and hire college students, college grads, and other leaders early on in their career? Just as importantly, what are colleges telling students that could help (or hurt) their job search? In this episode, you'll hear valuable insights from Ilene Rein, a search professional who specializes in helping newer leaders position themselves to b...

Many aspects of the job search process are similar no matter what stage you're at in your career, but there are specific challenges that people face as recent college grads or early on. In this episode, Jonathan talks with Ilene Rein, a search professional who specializes in helping newer leaders position themselves to be hired by strong companies. One question that both Jonathan and Ilene re...

As an executive coach, many of my clients ask if I can help their son, daughter, or someone close to them who is a college student or new college grad. In this episode of The Career Transition Experts, I'm excited to talk with Ilene Rein, a search professional who specializes in helping younger professionals get hired. Ilene shares the importance of presenting yourself well, especially for yo...

As a leader, how can you best go about building effective relationships with recruiters in your field? How has the leadership career transition process changed in the past 10 to 15 years, and how can you stay ahead of the crowd? What steps can you take to best prepare for an interview, and how can you effectively co-lead the interview to communicate your abilities, personality and value? In this e...

When preparing for an interview, it's vital to co-lead the conversation - to plan your points and articulate your experience, abilities and value proposition. When the interview is coming to an end, you may feel you need to add another critical point. Is there an effective way to do this while still respecting the interviewer's time and position? In this episode, Jonathan and executive s...

Candidates are often advised to prepare for their interview, and this seems like common sense. What does interview prep actually look like, though? Join Jonathan and executive search professional Don Zinn as they discuss key strategies to help you prepare for your next interview and position yourself as the top candidate. Don Zinn is Vice President - Executive Search at StevenDouglas , one of the...