In this candid and practical episode, Michael Hayes sits down with Seann Richardson of Ascentria Search Partners, a national executive search firm specializing in accounting, finance, and C-suite placements. Together, they unpack what’s really happening in today’s hiring market — from AI-written resumes to the subtle interview mistakes that quietly cost candidates the job.

🤖 AI & Hiring
They explore how AI is reshaping resumes, job descriptions, and hiring decisions — and why overusing it can actually hurt your job search. Seann shares her 10-80-10 rule for using AI responsibly and explains why authenticity still matters more than perfectly polished content.

🎙️ Behind the Scenes of Hiring
The conversation dives into the hidden frustrations on both sides of the process:

⏳ How too many interview rounds cause companies to lose top talent
❌ Why recruiters can’t simply “snap their fingers” and land someone a job
🎯 The difference between active and passive candidates
🐢 Why slow internal processes derail great hires
🏢 What hiring managers really think when candidates fail to research the company

🚩 Costly Candidate Mistakes
They also discuss the missteps candidates don’t realize they’re making:

💬 Vague interview answers like “I was underappreciated”
📱 Social media mistakes that quietly eliminate applicants
🔁 Job hopping patterns that raise red flags

👔 Executive-Level Insights
Seann breaks down what executive hiring actually looks like behind the scenes and explains why networking continues to outperform online applications.

📊 Skills That Win Today
In today’s market, communication skills often outweigh technical skills — and skilled trades may become even more valuable in an AI-driven economy.

They also touch on:

🔄 When career pivots make sense — and when they don’t
🌱 How younger candidates can stand out
🌐 Why applying online is rarely the most effective strategy
🤝 The real reason networking works

This is an honest, unfiltered look at hiring from both the employer and candidate perspective — packed with practical advice for navigating today’s evolving job market.

💬 Have a hiring confession or interview horror story? Drop it in the comments.

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Today I’m sitting down with Linda Williams — a longtime Phoenix news anchor who spent decades telling the stories behind Arizona’s businesses and workforce.

Now we’re flipping the mic to talk about what really goes on behind the scenes when it comes to hiring, leadership, and the people side of business.