Raw Career Talk ❤️🎙️

Future of Work is HERE: How to Lead Generative AI Programs Without Losing Your Team

Meet Vandana Singh - she's literally building the future of work as a Senior Technical Program Manager at Amazon Web Services, managing Gen AI programs for Amazon Q. While everyone's debating whether AI will take our jobs, Vandana is on the front lines building AI programs that enhance human capability. Here's what we unpacked: → What "the future of work" actually means (beyond the buzzwords) → Essential first steps for implementing Gen AI programs → How to balance human intuition with AI insights → The biggest mistake leaders make when rushing into AI → How to address team fears about AI replacing jobs → Strategies for upskilling teams to work WITH AI The reality? The most successful AI programs are the ones that put humans first. If you're a leader feeling overwhelmed by AI advancement, this episode will give you a clear roadmap.

Building a career as an immigrant: lessons, mistakes, wins, and successes

In this episode, I sit down with Gabriela Gutierrez — Business Transformation Engineer, leadership coach, and the #11-ranked Project Management Creator in the U.S. — to talk about what it really takes to build a career across borders. From landing in a new country with no network to leading mentorship programs for 90,000+ people, Gabriela shares the unfiltered truth about resilience, identity, and reinvention. 00:00 Welcome to Raw Career Talk 01:20 Gabriela’s first impressions of Canada 04:40 Challenges immigrants face in the job market 08:55 The turning point: from surviving to thriving 13:17 Biggest career mistakes and lessons learned 17:43 How to network when you don’t know anyone 22:10 Facing imposter syndrome head-on 26:05 Leveraging your background as a superpower 30:15 Rebuilding community and confidence in the U.S. 34:00 Career win she’s most proud of 38:18 The power of mentors and how to find them 42:00 Her #1 piece of advice for newcomers Whether you’re navigating a new country, a new job, or a major life transition — this episode is packed with insights and encouragement to help you take the next step with confidence. 🔗 Tune in now and discover how your story can become your superpower.

Inside the Recruiter’s Mind: What Actually Gets You Hired in 2025

In this episode, I sit down with Tessa Whelan, Senior Recruiter at Colab Software, to get a behind-the-scenes look at what really makes a candidate stand out in today’s hyper-competitive job market. From crafting a resume that captures attention in seconds to the elusive "X factor" that can win you an offer, Tessa shares practical, no-fluff advice every job seeker needs to hear. 00:00 Introduction to Career Building 01:14 Crafting a Standout Resume 06:22 The X Factor in Candidate Selection 10:21 The Role of Cover Letters 13:28 Common Mistakes in Resumes and Interviews 17:57 Effective Communication with Recruiters 23:25 The Importance of Personal Branding 28:13 Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview 31:05 Applying for Jobs: When to Take the Leap 34:40 Final Advice for Job Seekers Whether you’re actively job hunting or just want to future-proof your career, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss. 🔗 Tune in now and get one step closer to your next big opportunity.

The Reality of Gen Z in the Workplace

Skip the fluff — this is what Gen Z workplace success actually looks like. Cassie Crosbie went from Executive Assistant to Operations Manager in under a year at Stan, and she's here to break down the real strategies behind thriving (not just surviving) as Gen Z in today's workplace. What we cover: 00:00 Breaking the Gen Z Stereotype 01:56 Defining Thriving vs Surviving at Work 05:23 Skills from Early Roles that Matter 07:28 Adapting to Startup Environments 11:03 Leveraging Social Media for Career Growth 17:50 Understanding A-Players in Startups 20:52 The Importance of Feedback in Leadership 22:55 Lifelong Learning as a Career Lesson Whether you're navigating your first job, switching between startup chaos and corporate structure, or trying to figure out how to show up online without getting judged — this episode cuts through the noise with actionable insights. Connect with Cassie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassiec/ Raw Career Talk — where we skip the fluff and talk about what actually matters in real careers.

Increase Your Salary by 40%: Everything You Need to Know About Salary Negotiations

Welcome back to Raw Career Talk — the podcast where we go beyond job titles and get real about the messy, bold, and game-changing parts of career growth. In today’s episode, we're diving into something most people dread but absolutely need: salary negotiation. Joining us is April Rust — who’s breaking down how to negotiate for more money and more time, even in today’s job market. We cover: 💰 Why negotiation feels so awkward — and how to shift your mindset ❌ The most common (and expensive) mistakes people make 📈 Whether it’s actually possible to negotiate a 40% raise 🕒 How to ask for non-monetary benefits like flexibility, remote work, or PTO Whether you're job hunting, preparing for a promotion, or realizing you’ve been underpaid for too long, this episode will leave you equipped, empowered, and ready to ask for what you're worth. With love, Violeta