Secrets of a CRA Recruiter

You survived your first 90 days. The onboarding fog has lifted, your name is in the team chat, and you finally know where the coffee lives. So… is it too early to focus on career progression? Have you ever wondered why some people quietly climb while others stay stuck in “doing fine”? What if doing your job well isn’t actually the thing that gets you promoted? And here is a harder question: when was the last time you asked your manager what “excellent” looks like in your current role? In this...

Are You Settling In or Setting Yourself Up? Starting a new job can feel exciting, a little intimidating, and if we are being honest, a bit like you are trying not to trip in front of everybody. You have the laptop, the logins, the introductions, and the strong desire to do a good job. But somewhere between being “the new person” and trying to prove yourself, a lot of professionals slip into a dangerous little habit called settling in during their first 90 days in a new role. That is exactly w...

Most job seekers obsess over their LinkedIn headline and About section, but then quietly ignore everything else. Yet these “other” LinkedIn sections are often where recruiters find the proof they need to move you from “maybe” to “must-interview”. In this new roundtable episode, our recruiting team wraps up our LinkedIn optimization series by zooming in on the parts of your profile that rarely get talked about: Featured, Recommendations, Licenses & Certifications, and Education. These aren...

Most professionals know their LinkedIn “About” section matters. But few realize just how much recruiters, hiring managers, and even LinkedIn’s own 360Brew algorithm are relying on it to make fast decisions about them. In this roundtable episode, our recruiting team pulls back the curtain on what really happens when we open your profile. Why do 92% of us decide to engage or scroll largely based on your About section? What makes one clinical research profile feel like “generic experience” while...

When was the last time you really looked at your LinkedIn headline or your profile photo? I encourage you to do it now. Not just glance at it, but ask yourself, “Would I contact me based on this first impression?” In our latest roundtable, our team dives into two of the most underestimated areas of a LinkedIn profile: your headline and your photo. They may seem like the basics, but our team makes it clear that these seemingly small details carry big consequences. Recruiters often make snap ju...

In clinical research hiring, AI and one-way video interviews are flattening talent into checklists. But top Directors of Clinical Operations say that isn't how real fits happen. In Part 2 of our podcast series on resource strategies, Brian Dempster and Lyle Gee reveal how job seekers break through the noise in this employer-driven market using smart networking tactics. They tackle AI screening frustrations head-on. Their advice? Treat it like any process-driven gatekeeper by showcasing your u...

It is nearly the end of January, and those ambitious New Year’s resolutions? They have either ignited a streak of wins or quietly fizzled under the weight of real life (read: holidays, illness, family demands, or job search burnout). But what if the path to lasting change isn’t more rigid goals, but mastering The Great Job Search Reset?​ This isn’t about a one-time January overhaul. Instead, imagine building the habit of resetting with intention, anytime overwhelm hits. Our latest roundtable ...

Crafting a powerful elevator pitch is one of the toughest, yet most important, challenges for job seekers. In this roundtable conversation, our coaching team takes a deep dive into real job seeker elevator pitch examples that go far beyond the rehearsed, one-size-fits-all approach you might find online. Instead, we show how to turn this classic concept into a practical storytelling tool. Why is this important? It will help you answer common interview questions, stand out in networking convers...

I saw a post the other day where a job seeker was upset because an interviewer asked why she had been out of work for so long. Guys, every interviewer is going to ask about an employment gap. The real question is how you prepare to answer it with confidence and professionalism. So let’s tackle the real question: What is the right way to address a long gap between jobs? How much should you say or not say when asked about it? And how do you maintain your confidence when long-term unemployment b...

Ever been asked to be a reference and felt unsure how to respond? You are not alone. Our latest roundtable podcast dives into how to be a reference, including when it is okay not to say yes. In this candid discussion, our panel shares what really happens behind the scenes of reference checks. We address why accuracy matters, how honesty protects all parties, and what information you, as the reference, will want to have ready before the call. Think of today’s roundtable as a professional check...

Navigating Today’s Candidate Minefield Ready for an eye-opening look at the darker and sometimes downright bizarre side of the job search? Today’s episode features topics every job seeker knows but few dare to share aloud. And while we certainly speak about job scams, we also talk about those deceitful messages promising dream gigs, the “recruiters” who don’t take no for an answer, and the never-ending parade of suspicious LinkedIn invitations. Angela Roberts is joined by Kimberly Wilkinson a...

Today's podcast is the perfect pit stop if your approach to job hunting feels a bit like using a map from the Stone Age in the GPS world. Angela is joined by Lyle Gee (and the insightful Becky Clark) to drop truth bombs and chuckles for anyone stuck in the “old way” of job searching. Whether you are a seasoned pro or still figuring out which way is up, this conversation digs deep into what it really means to be flexible without settling for just any paycheck. In this episode, you will hear th...

Today’s hiring market faces a significant disconnect that affects both job seekers and employers in profound ways. This disconnect reflects a volatile environment where job seekers experience sticker shock as the once plentiful outreach from hiring entities has slowed dramatically. Meanwhile, employers are expressing frustration over a seemingly scarce supply of qualified candidates. Likewise, hiring entities are experiencing an oversupply of underqualified and fraudulent applicants. Supply a...