Spilling The Career Tea

Spilling the Career Chai: Vikram Atal

Can curiosity, relationships, and your reputation matter more than your GPA? In this episode of Spilling the Career Tea, we sit down with Vik Atal, former CEO of PRA Group, former Citigroup executive, current Goldman Sachs Bank USA board member, and global business leader with more than 30 years of executive experience. Vik shares the lessons that transformed his career, from studying mathematics in India to leading billion dollar businesses and serving in some of the world's most influential boardrooms. This isn't just a conversation about getting a job. It's about building a career that lasts. In this episode, you'll learn: ▪️Why EQ often matters more than IQ after college ▪️The career advice every student should hear before graduation ▪️Why you should never ask someone for a job—and what to ask instead ▪️How networking really works (and why relationships take time) ▪️The leadership lessons Vik learned from failure, humility, and listening ▪️Why curiosity, authenticity, and reputation become your greatest competitive advantage ▪️How to prepare for opportunities you never see coming Whether you're a student, recent graduate, young professional, or experienced leader, this conversation is packed with timeless insights on leadership, networking, career growth, and personal branding. If you're looking for practical career advice from someone who's hired, mentored, and led thousands of people, you won't want to miss this episode. 🎙️ Subscribe to Spilling the Career Tea for honest conversations with executives, recruiters, career coaches, and industry leaders who share what it really takes to build a meaningful career. #CareerAdvice #Leadership #Networking #JobSearch #CareerDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalBrand #ProfessionalDevelopment #CollegeStudents #RecentGraduates #ExecutiveLeadership #Mentorship #SpillingTheCareerTea Produced by Jared Goldstein, Broken Planet Media ©️ 2026 Bill Fisse & Jerry D Goldstein, All Rights Reserved Sponsored by PeopleGrove

Spilling the Mentea: AnnaClare Part 2

Why Recent Graduates Struggle to Find Jobs (And What Actually Works) Still searching for your first job after graduation? You're not alone. In Episode 6 of Spilling The Career Tea, we sit down with recent graduate AnnaClare to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing young professionals today: turning a degree into a career. From networking strategies and resume mistakes to interview preparation and personal branding, we take a real world look at what it's actually like to navigate today's competitive job market. AnnaClare shares her job search journey, recent interviews, frustrations, successes, and the lessons she's learning along the way. Joining hosts Jerry Goldstein and Bill Fisse is special guest Barbara Kurz, a nationally recognized career services leader, who provides practical advice on standing out from the crowd, leveraging transferable skills, writing stronger cover letters, and building confidence throughout the job search process. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How networking can outperform online job applications ✅ The interview preparation strategy most candidates miss ✅ Why your resume should tell a story, not just list experiences ✅ How to highlight transferable skills and passions ✅ The role of confidence, credibility, and personal branding ✅ How recent graduates can stand out in a challenging job market ✅ Why informational interviews can lead to unexpected opportunities Whether you're a college student, recent graduate, career changer, or young professional looking for your next opportunity, this episode is packed with actionable career advice you can use immediately. 💡 Your dream job may be one conversation away. 📚 Learn more from "Spilling The Career Tea: Your Guide to Value, Intent, Confidence, and Credibility." 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly career advice, job search tips, networking strategies, resume guidance, interview coaching, and conversations designed to help students and professionals build meaningful careers. #JobSearch #RecentGraduates #CareerAdvice #InterviewTips #ResumeTips #Networking #CollegeGraduates #CareerCoaching #YoungProfessionals #PersonalBranding #FirstJob #JobHunt #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #SpillingTheCareerTea #careersuccess ©️ 2026 Bill Fisse and Jerry D. Goldstein Produced by Broken Planet Media Sponsored by PeopleGrove

Spilling the Mentea: AnnaClare

What happens when a talented recent graduate can't seem to break through and land that first full time job? In this powerful and practical episode of Spilling The Career Tea, hosts Jerry Goldstein and Bill Fisse take a different approach. With AnnaClare, they roll up their sleeves and coach a real job seeker in real time. Meet AnnaClare, a recent McGill University graduate, writer, editor, former ballet dancer, and aspiring entertainment industry professional. Despite strong internships, leadership experience, and a clear work ethic, she's facing the same challenge thousands of graduates encounter: "How do I get employers to see my value?" Joined by career storytelling expert Barbara Kurz, the conversation becomes a live career strategy session as they: ☕ Uncover AnnaClare's hidden personal brand ☕ Identify transferable skills that employers often overlook ☕ Transform resume bullet points from tasks into impact statements ☕ Explore how passion and life experiences can become professional differentiators ☕ Discuss networking, positioning, and standing out in competitive industries ☕ Reveal why accomplishments, not responsibilities, get interviews ☕ Show how dancers, athletes, artists, and leaders can leverage their unique experiences in the job market Whether you're a college student, recent graduate, career changer, mentor, parent, or employer, this episode offers an inside look at the coaching process that helps candidates discover what makes them memorable. If you've ever wondered why your resume isn't getting attention, or how to tell your story in a way that opens doors, this episode is for you. Because sometimes the biggest career breakthrough isn't gaining a new skill... It's learning how to communicate the value you already have! Grab your favorite blend of tea and join us for one of our most insightful and relatable coaching conversations yet.

Leaves to Liquid: Barbara Kurz Part 2

What really happens behind the hiring process? In this episode of Spilling The Career Tea, Bill & Jerry sit down with executive coach and former talent acquisition leader Barbara Kurz to unpack the realities of recruiting, interviewing, personal branding, and career growth. From recruiter ghosting and AI-driven hiring systems to interview prep, networking, leadership reputation, and the importance of empathy in the workplace, this conversation gives early career professionals a candid look at what recruiters and hiring managers are really thinking. You’ll hear practical advice on: • Why recruiters ghost candidates and why it matters • How to stand out in applicant tracking systems (ATS) • Resume and cover letter strategies that actually work • The importance of networking, referrals, and recruiter relationships • What hiring managers notice in interviews • Common interview mistakes candidates make • How personal brand, trust, and reputation shape long-term career success • Why emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skills • The leadership traits that help people rise and the behaviors that derail careers Whether you’re searching for your first internship, preparing for interviews, or thinking about long-term career growth, this episode delivers actionable insights from both the recruiter and executive coaching perspectives.

Leaves to Liquid: Barbara Kurz

Why does today’s job market feel so discouraging, especially for recent college graduates? In this episode of Spilling The Career Tea, Bill and Jerry are joined by Barbara Kurz, an executive coach and former senior leader in recruiting and talent management, to explore what’s really going on beneath the headlines. Drawing on decades of experience across financial services, consulting, executive search, and global HR, Barbara helps reframe today’s challenges with honesty, perspective, and practical wisdom. They discuss: * Why disappointment after graduation isn’t new and why it still hurts * The danger of treating college as a pure “return on investment” * How skills based hiring is changing who gets hired (and how) * The overlooked value of volunteering, internships, and experiential learning * Why networking isn’t transactional, it’s relational * What students and early career professionals can control, even in a tough market This episode is especially relevant for Gen Z, recent grads, career changers, parents, and educators trying to make sense of a shifting world of work. Honest. Grounded. Encouraging. This is career advice that meets you where you are.