The Job Hunting Podcast

Episode 337 - Job searching can test even the most experienced professionals. In this episode, I reflect on Sabalenka’s emotional loss at Roland Garros and explain why job seekers need to move from emotional reaction to strategic response after rejection, redundancy, long job searches, interviews, and career setbacks.There are moments in sport when we see more than performance.We see pressure, and the private battle that sits underneath public achievement.That happened recently at Roland Garros, when Aryna Sabalenka lost a match many expected her to win and later said she felt like she wanted to quit tennis. Reports from Reuters and Sky Sports captured the emotional weight of that moment. It was not polished or strategic. It was human.I was watching the interview with my father, and he said something that stayed with me. He observed that Sabalenka has the physical gifts of an elite tennis player. The strength, the talent, the training, the ability. But at that level, the difference is often mindset.That comment made me think about job seekers.Not because looking for work is the same as elite sport, of course. But because both can place people under intense pressure. Both require repeated performance under judgment. Both involve rejection, recovery, comparison, and the ability to reset after disappointment. Read the full Blog on the Website 31 Days of Action for Job SeekersFind Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career GrowJoin 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe NowLear More About Renata's career coaching and courses Timestamps to guide your listening:00:00 The Emotional Side of Job Searching05:45 Mindset Matters in Job Search10:01 Navigating Redundancy and Emotional Responses17:17 Dealing with Rejection and Performance Feedback22:12 The Challenges of a Long Job Search28:00 Exploring Career Changes and New Directions32:47 Building Resilience in Job Search StrategiesLinks mentioned in this episode:Renata's website About the host, Renata BernardeHello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress. Watch the Episodes on YouTubeFollow Renata on Social Media:LinkedInInstagramFacebookX / Twitter

Episode 323 - I break down why experienced corporate professionals are struggling to regain control of their careers and share three practical steps to accelerate your job searchThis episode is being rebroadcast as Episode 323 during our holiday break. It originally aired as Episode 275, and it remains one of the most useful reset episodes I’ve recorded for experienced professionals who feel stuck in their job search.The job market has been tough over the past few years. Whether you were impacted by the pandemic or faced the challenges of the post-pandemic economy, job hunting is no easy feat. If you're an experienced professional, you're likely feeling stuck, frustrated, or overwhelmed. The good news? You don't have to navigate this process by yourself anymore.In this episode and blog, I’ll walk you through three essential steps to help you regain control over your job search. These are actionable, proven strategies that go beyond the clichéd advice of "posting more on LinkedIn" or "mastering the STAR interview technique." As a career and executive coach, I’ve helped counThis episode is being rebroadcast as Episode 323 during our holiday break. It originally aired as Episode 275, and it remains one of the most useful reset episodes I’ve recorded for experienced professionals who feel stuck in their job search.Read the full Blog on the Website31 Days of Action for Job SeekersFind Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career GrowJoin 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe NowLear More About Renata's career coaching and courses Timestamps to guide your listening:00:00 Navigating the Job Market Challenges09:11 The Importance of Self-Knowledge in Job Search15:16 Strategies for Effective Job Hunting21:06 Coaching for Career AdvancementLinks mentioned in this episode:Learn more about my private coaching programJoin the waitlist for the Job Hunting Made Simple ProgramBook a consultation with RenataEpisode 322 - Are your job search efforts failing short? Discover the 5 critical mistakes that could be stopping you from landing your next role, and how to correct them.About the host, Renata BernardeHello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress. Watch the Episodes on YouTubeFollow Renata on Social Media:LinkedInInstagramFacebookX / Twitter

Episode 321 - The job market in 2025 has been flat, competitive, and emotionally draining for many professionals. In this episode, recruiter Geoff Slade and I unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes and what job seekers can do to stand out, especially when everyone’s application starts to look the same. If 2025 felt harsher than you expected, you were not imagining it. As a career coach, I’ve watched experienced professionals, including senior leaders, get caught in longer hiring cycles, more competition, and a colder tone in recruitment communication. In this episode of The Job Hunting Podcast, I sat down with Geoff Slade, Chairman of the Slade Group, for our end-of-year reflection and forward-looking conversation. Geoff has a rare vantage point. His group operates across multiple recruitment brands and covers everything from entry-level roles through to senior executive appointments. He’s also been in the recruitment industry for decades, which gives him pattern recognition that most job seekers never get access to. In this blog post, I’m summarising and unpacking key points from our conversation, with a focus on what corporate professionals and executives can do right now. We discussed the flat job market, the rise of interim roles, the reality of negotiating salary and flexibility, and how AI is changing the way applications look and feel. Most importantly, we talked about how to market yourself so you stop blending in. Read the full Blog on the Website31 Days of Action for Job SeekersFind Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career GrowJoin 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe NowLear More About Renata's career coaching and courses Timestamps to guide your listening:00:00 Overview of 2025 Job Market Dynamics05:07 Ruthlessness in Recruitment Communication07:49 Impact of Layoffs on Job Seekers10:17 Demand for Interim and Temporary Roles12:59 Negotiating Flexibility in a Tough Market15:32 The Future of Hybrid Work18:12 Tectonic Shifts in Employment Trends21:04 Negotiating Salary in a Challenging Environment23:54 Navigating Job Offers and Salary Negotiations26:56 The Impact of AI on Job Applications29:43 Building Confidence in Job Applications35:09 Strategies for Job Seekers in a Competitive Market40:02 Proactive Job Searching Techniques42:53 The Importance of Action and AccountabilityLinks mentioned in this episode:Episode with Talent Acquisition Manager Leanne BranniganContact me if you need help leading hybrid work environmentsInterview with Anita Ziemer, Executive Director, Slade GroupWhere you can access my template to connect with recruitersEpisode 217 - How to job search in 2024: An expert's view on the job market and recruitment trends, with Geoff SladeEpisode 163 - How to Job Search in 2023: An Expert’s View on the Job Market and Recruitment Trends, with Geoff SladeAbout the host, Renata BernardeHello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress. Watch the Episodes on YouTubeFollow Renata on Social Media:LinkedInInstagramFacebookX / Twitter

Episode 319 - When a role disappears or a career stops feeling right, most professionals reach for more control, more effort and more doom scrolling. In this conversation, Professor Stephen G Post explains why generosity, service and “pure unlimited love” are powerful tools for coping with job loss, protecting mental health and realigning your career with a deeper sense of calling. Recording this episode with Professor Stephen G Post felt very different from my usual conversations about job search strategy. We did not talk much about keywords, ATS or networking scripts. We talked about love, service, calling and what happens to you on the inside when your role disappears or your career stops feeling right. As you know, most of my clients are senior professionals who have done everything by the book. Good schools, strong performance, promotions. Then something happens. A restructure, a new CEO, a bad boss, burnout. Suddenly the path that once felt stable looks very fragile. Read the full Blog on the Website31 Days of Action for Job SeekersFind Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career GrowJoin 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe NowLear More About Renata's career coaching and courses Timestamps to guide your listening:00:00 Navigating Job Market Challenges09:37 The Journey to Finding One's Calling13:27 Advice for Late Bloomers21:18 The Essence of Pure Unlimited Love28:59 Balancing Altruism and Self-Care31:47 The Impact of Meaningful Volunteering33:27 Healing Through Kindness37:51 The Power of Morning Routines39:41 Connecting with Nature47:32 Understanding Happiness and FlowLinks mentioned in this episode:Stephen G. Post's book, Unlimited LoveStephen's LinkedInEpisode 268 - Career Transitions: A Guide for Corporate Professionals Seeking ChangeEpisode 303 - Kyle Samuels returns to share his personal health journey, the lessons it taught him about leadership, and the hiring trends shaping today’s job market. We explore recruitment trends, networking strategies, and how to handle career gaps with confidence.About the host, Renata BernardeHello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress. Watch the Episodes on YouTubeFollow Renata on Social Media:LinkedInInstagramFacebookX / Twitter

Episode 317 - Losing a job or having a terrible job can pull you straight into survival mode. In this conversation with Jon Rosemberg, we unpack how to move from white-knuckle coping to a more intentional, agentic way of designing your next chapter. Survival mode is a nervous system response, not a personal failure.  In this podcast conversation, I spent time unpacking what survival mode actually is with my guest, Jon Rosemberg, who has studied applied positive psychology and worked as a COO in high-pressure environments. It is easy to forget that our bodies are old hardware running new software. From a nervous system perspective, losing a role or facing long-term unemployment can register as a threat to survival. Identity, status, and income are deeply tied to our sense of safety. When that safety is shaken, the body reacts. Read the full Blog on the Website31 Days of Action for Job SeekersFind Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career GrowJoin 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe NowLear More About Renata's career coaching and courses Links mentioned in this episode:Job Searching Through the Holidays WebinarJon's personal websiteJon's firmAbout the host, Renata BernardeHello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress. Watch the Episodes on YouTubeFollow Renata on Social Media:LinkedInInstagramFacebookX / Twitter

Episode 315 - Crisis expert Edward Segal maps the first moves leaders should make when something goes wrong, who to call, what to say, how to brief the media, and how to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Most professionals I speak to who are experiencing a career crisis did not see it coming, and almost all of them did not prepare for it. Corporate professionals still treat crisis management as something that happens to other people, like the CEOs in the headlines and the companies and brands trending on social media for all the wrong reasons. In reality, crises are not confined to boardrooms or news cycles. They unfold quietly in inboxes, performance reviews, and unexpected phone calls from HR. When I sat down recently with Edward Segal, an expert on crisis management, I was reminded that “it’s not if, it’s when.” Every professional, no matter how senior or secure, will face defining career moments that test their judgment, values, and resilience. The challenge is not to avoid these moments, but to prepare for them and respond well when they arrive. Read the full Blog on the Website31 Days of Action for Job SeekersFind Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career GrowJoin 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe NowLear More About Renata's career coaching and courses Timestamps to guide your listening:00:00 Introduction03:01 Crisis Management Insights from Experience05:00 Understanding Crisis Triggers08:00 Crisis Management in Educational Institutions11:04 Communication Strategies During a Crisis13:55 The Importance of Media Training16:45 Crisis Management for Professionals20:05 Lessons from High-Profile Crises23:09 Final Thoughts on Crisis PreparednessLinks mentioned in this episode:Edward Segal's LinkedIn profileLink to Edward Segal's bookEpisode 304 - In this episode of The Job Hunting Podcast, TV journalist and confidence coach Ashleigh Paholek shares how to project authority and trust in interviews, presentations, and boardrooms. From mastering silence to improving your virtual presence, these strategies will help you influence with confidence — even when you don’t feel it.Episode 309 - Beyond the headlines, workplace scandals reveal deeper lessons about governance, disclosure, and accountability. In this episode, I share strategies for overcoming missteps and rebuilding your professional brand.About the host, Renata BernardeHello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress. Watch the Episodes on YouTubeFollow Renata on Social Media:LinkedInInstagramFacebookX / Twitter

Episode 313 - Employment attorney Jessica Childress is back, unpacking what “toxic” really means at work, and how to decide if it’s time to stay or go. I'm sure you're well aware that experienced professionals have had to cope with hostile cultures, micromanagement, and difficult leaders in their careers. Some issues are illegal. Many are not. Either way, the impact on your confidence and career can be profound. In this episode, employment attorney Jessica Childress helps us separate what is unlawful from what is simply unhealthy, and to outline a practical approach for documenting issues, engaging HR strategically, and, when needed, negotiating a clean exit.  Start with definitions. Many environments feel corrosive yet are not unlawful. Civility is not a legal requirement. As Jessica put it: “It’s not a workplace civility code. So the law does not require civility.” However, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation tied to a protected class or protected activity are unlawful. Knowing the line matters because your strategy depends on it. If conduct is unlawful, escalate precisely and protect the record. If it is unhealthy but legal, your leverage comes from establishing boundaries, framing your business, and exploring options outside the building. Read the full Blog on the Website31 Days of Action for Job SeekersFind Your Talents: Learn About Your Strengths, and Watch Your Career GrowJoin 5,000+ Readers of The Job Hunting Newsletter: Subscribe NowLear More About Renata's career coaching and courses Timestamps to guide your listening:00:00 Advocacy and Employee Rights05:35 Experiencing Toxic Workplaces12:08 Leaving on Your Own Terms17:10 Identifying Toxic Workplaces24:10 Strategies for Surviving Toxic Workplaces32:53 Navigating the Exit Process43:45 Finding Peace After LeavingLinks mentioned in this episode:Episode 213 - Navigating Workplace Rights, a Conversation with Employment Law Expert Jessica ChildressThe Childress firmJessica's book, Peace: Leaving A Toxic Workplace on Your Own Terms (E-Book)About the host, Renata BernardeHello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress. Watch the Episodes on YouTubeFollow Renata on Social Media:LinkedInInstagramFacebookX / Twitter