Episodes

  • What Recruiters Actually Look For When AI Is On Your Resume | Colleen DiFabio

    What Recruiters Actually Look For When AI Is On Your Resume | Colleen DiFabio
    Oct 14 2026
    Kevin Cameron sits down with Colleen DiFabio, founder of BI3 Careers, to unpack the realities of consulting, what it takes to make the jump, and why AI on your resume is no longer optional. With 25 years in tech staffing, Colleen brings sharp, grounded advice for anyone navigating career transition. One standout line: “Staffing is filling a rack. Consulting is solving a problem.” They also dig into BI3’s Rising Star programme, placing early career talent into companies that need AI-fluent new grads. Key Takeaways The consulting vs full-time decision is cultural, not just financial. Know what environment you thrive in before you commit. AI fluency is now baseline. If it’s not on your LinkedIn or resume, hiring managers assume you’re avoiding it. The fastest way to get smart with AI is to use it. One of Colleen’s consultants spent 24 hours straight using it and now leads AI strategy for clients. Recruiters want business outcomes, not just tool names. Can you describe a workflow you improved? That’s the question. Rising Star screening goes beyond grades. Emotional intelligence and scenario-based questions determine fit. Episode Highlights BI3 Careers’ three pillars: consulting, IT staffing, and the Rising Star early career placement arm launched in July. Candid advice on consulting: higher reward, lower risk for both sides, but not the right fit for everyone. The AI resume conversation every job seeker needs to hear. Not mentioning it is now a red flag. Why Colleen asks AI scenario questions in every interview and what a great answer looks like. The story of a recent grad who went from NASA internships to leading an AI strategy team of seven. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:00 What is BI3 Careers? 03:15 The Rising Star programme 05:00 Should you consult after a layoff? 08:00 Navigating consulting without burning bridges 14:00 How Colleen built long-term client trust 17:00 How AI is changing who gets hired 23:00 Why AI has to be on your resume 25:40 Rising Star screening and what clients want 29:00 What Colleen wishes clients and candidates knew 31:30 Colleen’s why Connect With Colleen DiFabio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-difabio-3886b93/ Website: www.bi3careers.com Email: colleen.defabio@bi3careers.com Mondays: Career Connect Conversations open to anyone who needs direction. If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect: Website: www.talent-connect.net LinkedIn: Talent-Connect Kevin’s LinkedIn: Kevin Cameron PCC Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/
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    37 mins
  • The Job Search Is Rigged Against New Grads | Shelley Maley

    The Job Search Is Rigged Against New Grads | Shelley Maley
    Oct 7 2026
    Most new grads are doing the job search completely wrong and nobody told them. In this episode, Kevin Cameron sits down with Shelley Maley of Dreamcatcher Career Coaching to dig into why recent graduates are sending hundreds of applications and hearing nothing back. Shelley has a semester-by-semester game plan that every student (and their parents) needs to hear well before graduation day. If you have a student in your life or you are that student, this one is for you. Key Takeaways Applying online is not enough. Recruiters are increasingly finding candidates directly on LinkedIn rather than posting jobs publicly. If your profile is weak, you're invisible. Networking doesn't have to be scary. It's not events full of strangers — it's conversations with people already in your circle. Start LinkedIn freshman year. Shelley's daughter stood out by posting content as a student. Her professors noticed. Employers noticed. She got the internship and then the job. Volunteering at career fairs is an underrated power move. Help employers set up their booths, start a conversation, and suddenly you're one of one instead of one of hundreds. You can write a letter of interest even when there's no job posted. Almost nobody does it. That's exactly why it works. Episode Highlights Shelley shares how burnout across four careers in three industries led her to coaching and to launching Gradvertize, built specifically for new grads and interns. Kevin Cameron and Shelley break down the semester-by-semester syllabus every student should follow: from building professor relationships in year one through to letters of interest in senior year. The pair discuss why the job market feels brutal for new grads right now and what mindset shifts matter most. Shelley's why, we spend 90,000 hours of our lives at work, and nobody should feel as stuck as she once did. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Dreamcatcher Career Coaching 01:03 Shelley's background and how coaching found her 02:26 Who Gradvertize is for 04:20 What's really happening in the job market for new grads 07:13 Mindset when applications go unanswered 09:20 Why your degree doesn't define your job search 11:27 The semester-by-semester career syllabus 17:27 Volunteering at career fairs — Shelley's daughter's story 19:45 Letters of interest when there's no job posted 21:55 When to start LinkedIn 26:04 Shelley's full range of clients 28:33 Shelley's why Connect With Shelley Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleymaleycareercoach/ Website: https://www.dreamcatchercareercoaching.com/ If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect: Website: www.talent-connect.net LinkedIn: Talent-Connect Kevin's LinkedIn: Kevin Cameron PCC Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/
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    32 mins
  • Why New Grads Are Getting the Job Search Wrong With Michelle Schafer

    Why New Grads Are Getting the Job Search Wrong With Michelle Schafer
    Sep 30 2026
    What do you really want from your career and do you even know? Kevin Cameron sits down with career coach and author Michelle Schafer to unpack what's going wrong in today's job market and why new grads are especially at risk. Michelle draws on 11 years of coaching to challenge the "spray your resume everywhere" mentality and offers an approach rooted in self-reflection, intentional networking, and knowing what energizes you before you ever open a job board. This one is for students, parents, and anyone who has taken a job just because it was there and is now paying the price for it. Key Takeaways The job market has shifted. Hundreds of applicants chase every role, AI is diluting resumes, and the numbers game no longer works. Intentionality is the new strategy. Before updating your resume, hit the pause button. Reflect on what has genuinely energized you, in school, part-time jobs, life. That's your real starting point. Your degree is not a puzzle piece. Following what lights you up matters more than matching your major to a job title. LinkedIn is for everyone - including first-year students. Thoughtful, specific outreach to professionals almost always gets a response. The first job isn't the last job. Prioritize working for someone who will develop you over chasing a title or salary. Episode Highlights Michelle shares how she found coaching after being restructured twice and why someone always plants the seed before we find our calling. Kevin Cameron and Michelle tackle the pressure of "so what are you doing after graduation?" and why parents asking different questions changes everything. Michelle's three-step framework: reflect on what energizes you, research by talking to real people, and build a resume that tells a story of impact. The pair agree that your manager matters more than the role, especially early on. Timestamps 00:00 Who this episode is for 01:36 Michelle's background and how coaching found her 10:12 What's really happening in today's job market 13:30 Where new grads should actually start 18:23 Using AI as a thinking partner for career exploration 23:01 Talking to parents, professors, and your wider network 27:00 The first job is not the last — choose your manager wisely 35:25 LinkedIn for new grads and how to reach out 40:04 Michelle's top three action steps before you start applying Connect With Michelle LInkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschafercoaching/ Website: mschafercoaching.ca If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect: Website: www.talent-connect.net LinkedIn: Talent-Connect Kevin's LinkedIn: Kevin Cameron PCC Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/
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    45 mins
  • The AI Update Every Job Seeker Needs to Hear | with Patrick Callahan

    The AI Update Every Job Seeker Needs to Hear | with Patrick Callahan
    Sep 24 2026
    AI is changing faster than anyone can keep up with including the experts. In this episode, Kevin Cameron sits down with Patrick Callahan of Keal3, a tech entrepreneur with 25 years across data science, digital agencies, and AI consulting, for a no-fluff conversation about where AI actually is right now and what it means for your career. From AI agents ordering his morning coffee to the concept of the "superintelligent company," Patrick breaks down what's real, what's hype, and why the best way to learn AI is to just talk to it. Key Takeaways The best way to learn AI is to use it - ask the tool itself where to start. Never share personal financial data, legal information, or corporate trade secrets with a public AI tool. AI agents are no longer the future, they are already mainstream. Every organisation is now moving into the AI deployment phase: the question isn't if, it's how. If AI can do the easy stuff, you have to be doing the hard stuff. Follow your natural curiosity and it will take you to the right content. Episode Highlights The data scientist who moved a button three pixels to the right and changed Patrick's entire trajectory. Why Patrick won't call it "the AI" and what that choice reveals about how we think about it. The superintelligent company: how AI retains institutional knowledge when people leave. How Patrick's morning agent Marvin orders his coffee, curates his podcasts, and briefs him before he walks in. What Stanford professors are now questioning about the value of a university curriculum. Timestamps 00:30 — Introduction: Patrick Callahan and the Einstein of AI story 01:50 — Patrick's background: from Accenture to digital agencies to Keal3 04:40 — The button that moved three pixels and changed everything 07:07 — Why Patrick started Keal3 and what the name means 12:42 — Is it AI or the AI? Why the language matters 14:10 — How AI has flooded the job application pipeline 17:54 — Where to start if you know nothing about AI 21:27 — What not to share with AI tools 23:20 — What Patrick wishes people understood about AI 25:55 — What Keal3 does and who it helps 29:08 — The superintelligent company and the Oliver platform 34:15 — Patrick's morning agent Marvin — and what it does for him 37:35 — Where AI is heading in the next six months 39:00 — Patrick's why Connect With Patrick LinkedIn: Patrick Callahan at Keel3 X (Twitter): @biggreenbox Email: patrick.callahan@keel3.ai Newsletter: The Hype Index at keel3.ai If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect: Website: www.talent-connect.net LinkedIn: Talent-Connect Kevin's LinkedIn: Kevin Cameron PCC
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    42 mins
  • What to Do the Minute You Get Rejected | Careering with Cameron

    What to Do the Minute You Get Rejected | Careering with Cameron
    Sep 16 2026
    You got the rejection email. Maybe on a Saturday morning. Maybe before you even finished your coffee. In this solo episode, Kevin Cameron shares what to do next and why most people are making a costly mistake by doing nothing. From AI rejections on roles you were perfect for, to a client who turned a rejection into multiple interviews at the same company, Kevin breaks down exactly how to respond when a door closes and why responding at all puts you ahead of almost everyone else. Key Takeaways Getting rejected does not mean the company ever saw your resume - reach out anyway and find out. A rejection is not a closed door. A gracious, professional response can reopen it faster than you think. Always follow up with a genuine thank you and ask what would make you a stronger candidate next time. Connect with everyone you interviewed with on LinkedIn immediately after a rejection. Not being selected does not change your value or who you are, separate the two. Most people disappear after a rejection. That silence is your opportunity. Episode Highlights The client who got a rejection email - then discovered the company had no idea they'd applied. How one person went from immediate rejection to multiple interviews just by reaching out. Why rejections on Saturdays and Sundays are almost certainly AI and what that means for you. The grief process of being turned down and how to move through it without derailing your search. How a hiring manager passed one candidate's details across the entire organisation after they responded graciously to a no. Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction: the rejection tip nobody talks about 00:28 — Why rejections are happening faster than ever 02:25 — The gut punch — and what to do with it 03:15 — The company that had no idea the client had applied 04:40 — Third party job boards and closed listings that aren't actually closed 05:30 — Reach out even when you've been rejected — most people won't 07:00 — What happens when you respond with genuine interest 08:15 — When a role is closed but the process isn't over 09:26 — The gracious follow up after an interview rejection 10:45 — Ask how to be a stronger candidate next time 11:50 — Connect on LinkedIn after every interview 12:30 — You mastered the process — now create more opportunities 14:13 — Real examples: rejection turned into offers 16:00 — Final thoughts: don't let one no change your search If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect: Website: www.talent-connect.net LinkedIn: Talent-Connect Kevin's LinkedIn: Kevin Cameron PCC Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/
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    18 mins
  • Free Money, Roth Accounts, and Your First Real Job | with Todd Roselle

    Free Money, Roth Accounts, and Your First Real Job | with Todd Roselle
    Sep 9 2026
    Nobody teaches you the money stuff when you land your first job — and by the time you figure it out, you've already left a lot on the table. In this episode, Kevin Cameron sits down with financial advisor Todd Roselle for a back-to-school special covering student loan caps, FAFSA strategy, your first 401k and the one question you should be asking your manager that nobody else is. Whether you're heading into college, finishing up, or just landed your first paycheck, this episode gives you the financial and career foundation most people spend years figuring out on their own. Key Takeaways Parent PLUS loans are now capped at $65,000 - the college funding conversation has changed. Take your 401k match - that is free money. Contribute to a Roth 401k early: pay taxes now at a lower rate and never again on that money. Build three to six months of emergency savings before investing anywhere else. The best question you can ask your manager: what can I take off your plate? Be humble and curious - how popular you were in high school means nothing on day one. Episode Highlights The FAFSA tip most parents miss: where you hold your 529 could change what aid you qualify for. Why the gap between your emergency fund and retirement is where most young people go wrong. Todd's rule: earn more, spend less, work longer and why earning more is the only one with no ceiling. Why asking what you can take off your boss's plate is the fastest way to become indispensable. The sports analogy that explains why career advancement takes longer than it feels like it should. Timestamps 00:37 — Introduction: back to school special with Todd Roselle 01:38 — How college funding has changed — the parent PLUS loan cap 02:43 — Student loans, trades, and the pendulum swing 03:14 — AI, micro-entrepreneurs, and the future of work 08:13 — Housing reality: what rent and mortgages actually look like 09:06 — FAFSA strategy and the 529 tip most parents miss 14:40 — Starting your first job: the fear nobody talks about 16:43 — Efforting: how to build credibility when you're new 18:07 — Take the 401k match — it is free money 19:43 — Roth vs traditional: why young earners should go Roth 22:07 — The middle gap: when to open a brokerage account 25:00 — Pick a minor that gives you a pivot 28:18 — The question nobody asks their boss — but should 31:09 — Why giving before getting is what actually works 32:44 — Todd's one takeaway: be humble and be curious Connect With Todd Find Todd on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddroselle/ If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect: Website: www.talent-connect.net LinkedIn: Talent-Connect Kevin's LinkedIn: Kevin Cameron PCC Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/
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    35 mins
  • The Job Search Advice That Will Make You Angry

    The Job Search Advice That Will Make You Angry
    Sep 1 2026
    Last week, six people from Talent Connect received job offers. Only one applied through the traditional front door. The other five networked their way in. In this solo episode, Kevin Cameron breaks down exactly how that happened and what it means for how you should be spending your time right now. From the real data behind the hidden job market to the mental toll of being ghosted, Kevin shares a no-fluff look at what's actually working in 2026 and three shifts you can make today to change your results. Key Takeaways 83% of last week's successful placements happened outside the traditional job board. The timeline of your search is a direct reflection of strategy and network - not the market. Flip your ratio: 80% relationship-building, 20% applying online. Reach out with value, not asks - comment on their work, ask real questions, start a genuine conversation. Ghosting is almost never about you - it's a reflection of an overwhelmed system. Protect your mental health like a tactical asset: it shows up in every interview. Episode Highlights How six Talent Connect clients landed jobs in one week and which path each one took. Why applying online is like firing a flare in the middle of the ocean. The hidden job market: why companies not yet hiring may be your best opportunity. How ghosting creates a self-fulfilling cycle of low energy and fewer results. Why positive people attract more people and why that matters more than your resume. Timestamps 00:30 — Introduction and what we're covering today 01:22 — How long will this take? The question Kevin hears every day 03:00 — The timeline is a reflection of strategy, not luck 03:46 — The six Talent Connect placements from last week 05:01 — How five of the six bypassed the application portal 06:20 — 83% of placements happened outside the job board 07:29 — How ATS and AI screening really work 10:40 — The hidden job market and how to access it 13:26 — Proactive beats reactive: getting visible before a posting 13:50 — The hardest part of the modern job search: being ghosted 17:52 — Ghosting is not about you — here's why 18:10 — Protecting your mental space as a tactical advantage 19:04 — Tip 1: Flip your ratio 19:35 — Tip 2: Reach out with value, not asks 20:44 — Tip 3: Establish a mindset anchor 22:08 — Final thoughts: you have more control than you think If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect: Website: www.talent-connect.net LinkedIn: Talent-Connect Kevin's LinkedIn: Kevin Cameron PCC Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/
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    24 mins
  • The Human Potential Assessment That Changes How You See Yourself | Mark Vandeneijnde

    The Human Potential Assessment That Changes How You See Yourself | Mark Vandeneijnde
    Aug 19 2026
    What does it mean to be truly stuck and how do you know when it's happening? In this episode, Kevin Cameron sits down with Mark Vandeneijnde of Being at Full Potential, a coach whose framework has helped thousands of people identify what's blocking them and start moving again. Mark introduces the Human Potential House - a 23-dimension assessment that shines light on who you're being, not just what you're doing and explains why the answer to feeling unfulfilled at work is almost never a new job. Key Takeaways Stuck rarely announces itself - it shows up as low energy, unhappiness, or feeling unfulfilled. The fix is almost always internal, not external. You are already whole - the qualities you need are within you, just unexpressed. Curiosity is one of 23 core human dimensions and the one most likely to close off when you've been in the same role too long. Red on the assessment doesn't mean failure - it means unexpressed. AI will demand more of what makes us human, not less. The Being at Full Potential assessment is free at beingfullpotential.io. Episode Highlights Why Mark left a corporate career that looked great on paper and felt empty inside. The difference between being blocked and being depressed and why one is more empowering. How a client in the same job for 10 years rediscovered his curiosity. Why engagement scores improve when people feel seen for who they are, not just what they produce. Mark's vision for education: less knowledge-stuffing, more self-understanding. Timestamps 00:33 — Introduction: Mark Vandeneijnde and Being at Full Potential 03:00 — How Mark got stuck — and what he did about it 05:28 — Do people know when they're stuck? 06:35 — Why external fixes rarely solve internal problems 07:24 — Blocked vs depressed: why the language matters 09:03 — Where to start when you hate your job 11:13 — The role of hobbies in reigniting what's been lost 12:24 — Curiosity as a core human dimension 15:00 — How the Human Potential House assessment works 20:02 — 23 dimensions: being vs doing 22:09 — You are already whole — the philosophy behind the framework 27:43 — Why perks don't fix the real engagement problem 30:08 — Where work is going and what AI changes 32:29 — The future belongs to human beings, not human doings 36:35 — Mark's why — and why the assessment is now free 39:54 — Where to find Mark Connect With Mark Website: beingfullpotential.com Assessment (free): beingfullpotential.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markvandeneijnde/ If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect: Website: www.talent-connect.net LinkedIn: Talent-Connect Kevin's LinkedIn: Kevin Cameron PCC Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/
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    42 mins