Fake recruiters. Phony resume "fixes." Learn how to protect yourself from a rising scam that's catching even the smartest job seekers off guard.

Scams targeting job seekers are getting more sophisticated and more personal. In this solo episode, Diana Alt exposes the latest trend in fake recruiter scams designed to exploit your job search anxiety. From LinkedIn messages to fake ATS feedback, she walks through how the scam works, red flags to watch for, and what ethical resume support really looks like.

Whether you've already been targeted or just want to protect yourself, this episode offers practical advice for staying safe and smart during your search.

• How fake recruiters lure job seekers with phony feedback

• The real psychology behind why smart people fall for scams

• Red flags to watch for in resume "optimization" offers

• What ethical resume writers and recruiters actually do

• How to respond and recover if you've already been scammed

⏳ Timestamps
00:00 Intro – Job seekers are getting scammed
01:27 How the scam works
03:30 The psychology of pricing and urgency
05:52 Why the recruiter's role is so deceptive
07:20 ATS anxiety and fear-based decision making
10:30 Resume critique red flags
13:10 Thin LinkedIn and Fiverr profiles
15:03 Reverse image search and fake headshots
16:33 What to do if you've been targeted
18:29 Ethical practices of real recruiters and resume writers
21:46 Final thoughts – Trust your gut and pause

💡 Take Action
🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
📖 Grab my Resume Don'ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts
❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com
🚪 Wondering if it's time to walk away from your job? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com
💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📲 Follow Me
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt

Burned out or misaligned at work? Here's how a break could change everything.
What if taking a break from your career wasn't a setback, but a strategic step forward?

In this episode, Katrina McGhee, career break coach and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies, joins Diana to explore how to plan, fund, and return from a career break with clarity and confidence.

From burnout to intentional reinvention, Katrina shares powerful insights from her own 20-month break and the 200+ clients she's helped since. If you're craving change but unsure how to make space for it, this episode is your permission slip.

• Katrina's path from actuary to world traveler to career break coach

• How burnout, betrayal, and blossoming reveal the need for a break

• What a "career break" actually looks like (hint: it's not a gap year)

• How to plan, fund, and protect your break

• Strategies for reentering the workforce confidently

⏳ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:22 How Katrina and Diana connected
02:31 Katrina's journey from math major to career break expert
06:03 The misalignment that led to her 20-month break
08:30 Breaking down the "Three B's" model: Burnout, Betrayal, and Blossom
13:40 Understanding self-betrayal and its impact
17:04 Using a break for discovery, not just recovery
20:53 Preventing career jumping vs. intentional pivots
24:37 How the job market shift has changed break dynamics
26:35 Talking about your break without sabotaging your story
30:58 What reentry actually looks like — and how long it takes
36:00 Katrina's job search post-break (and 5 offers in 5 weeks)
40:55 Internal vs. external narratives during reentry
43:38 Common mistakes: rest guilt, reentry panic, and LinkedIn doomscrolling

💡 Take Action
🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
📖 Grab my Resume Don'ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts
❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com
🚪 Wondering if it's time to walk away from your job? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com
💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Katrina McGhee
🌐 Website → https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcghee-katrina/

📲 Follow Me On Social Media
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

Want to follow through on your New Year's goals instead of fizzling out by February? Diana breaks down exactly why most resolutions fail and how to turn your intentions into real progress.

In this solo episode, she shares three common mistakes that sabotage follow-through and how to avoid them with a better approach to planning, prioritization, and progress tracking.

Whether you're building healthier habits or launching something new in your business, this episode will help you set goals that actually stick.

• Why resolutions often fail by February

• The "boiling the ocean" trap and how to escape it

• How to select the right goals for your current season

• Turning vague intentions into measurable plans

• The importance of evaluating progress—and celebrating wins

⏳ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:26 Why good intentions fall apart
03:24 Mistake #1: Trying to change everything at once
07:20 Focus vs. quitting – the mindset shift
09:26 Mistake #2: No concrete plan
12:54 Defining what success looks like
14:41 Mistake #3: Not assessing or celebrating progress
17:42 Simple ways to review and reward your efforts
19:56 Final thoughts and encouragement

💡 Take Action
🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
📖 Grab my Resume Don'ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts
❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com
🚪 Wondering if it's time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com
💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📲 Follow Me
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt