How To Land Your First Job (Or Internship)

She Got Rejected by the Algorithm — Then Got the Job Anyway | with Christine Avedissian

What does a real career transition actually look like from the inside? In this episode, Kevin Cameron sits down with Christine Avedissian, a Talent - Connect coaching client and in-house attorney who navigated a layoff in one of the most competitive job markets in recent memory. Christine opens up about what caught her off guard, what finally clicked, and the practical habits that got her across the finish line. From the "dartboard" networking approach to colour-coded interview cheat sheets, Christine shares the tools and mindset shifts that made the difference - including how she managed her mental health, set boundaries with her support circle, and stayed organised when everything felt out of her control. If you're in career transition right now, this one is for you. Key Takeaways Network before you apply — find a connection at the company first, then submit your application.  Don't let a rejection from an ATS system be the final word.  A system said no; a person may still say yes. Treat your job search like a job — build a routine, track everything in a spreadsheet, and protect your mental health.  Use remote interviews to your advantage with cheat sheets, post-its, and visual reminders.  Apply even if you don't tick every box — job descriptions are often wish lists.  Visualise what you actually want and come back to it when the process feels overwhelming. Episode Highlights Christine's surprising discovery that her resume wasn't reaching human eyes.  The moment she realised she needed a new strategy — and what she did about it.  Why the people closest to you might not be your best advocates in a job search.  Her layered interview prep method: company research, interviewer research, and personal tie-backs.  How she managed anxiety by setting clear expectations with family and friends.  The turning point when six or seven active interviews gave her confidence the process was working. Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction  00:40 — Meet Christine Avedissian 01:38 — Christine's career background  03:15 — The biggest surprise: resumes not reaching people  04:22 — The turning point and new strategy  05:44 — Mass outreach and unexpected helpers  08:04 — Why people outside your close circle often help more  11:36 — Building a daily routine and protecting mental health  14:55 — Preparing for remote interviews  16:21 — The cheat sheet system  18:10 — What interviewers are really looking for: fit  19:07 — The turning point in Christine's search  20:09 — Visualisation as a daily tool  22:08 — Final advice: don't let job descriptions scare you off  24:22 — Outreach cadence: once a week  25:16 — Christine's why Connect With Christine LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christine-avedissian-5b457115 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-avedissian-5b457115/]  If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect: Website: www.talent-connect.net [http://www.talent-connect.net]  LinkedIn: Talent-Connect  Kevin's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kevinmcameron [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmcameron/]  Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

AI Won't Find Your Job - But This Will

In this solo episode, Kevin Cameron cuts through the noise around AI and job searching to share what's actually been working. Drawing from recent coaching sessions, Kevin breaks down the real "cheat code" to landing a job - and it's not a new app or an AI tool. It's strategy. If you've been sending out applications and hearing nothing back, this episode is for you. Kevin Cameron explains why applying and walking away is costing candidates 70% of their chances, how to use AI as a resource (not a shortcut), and why your resume needs to be tailored every single time. More importantly, he maps out a practical networking framework - the "dartboard method" - that has helped the majority of his recent clients land roles within two months. Key Takeaways Use AI to identify gaps between your resume and a job description — but keep your own voice in the final version. Networking consistently outperforms applying alone. Use the dartboard method: start with people you know well, then expand outward. Lead with help, not with asks. Track every conversation in a spreadsheet. Follow up more than once and through more than one channel. Episode Highlights Why applying alone is like shooting a flare in the middle of the ocean. The dartboard networking method explained. How to write a message that gets a response. Why it doesn't matter if they liked you or even remember you. The networking "yard sale" - and how to avoid it. Timestamps 00:43 — AI as a resource, not a solution  02:07 — Why the application process is overwhelmed  03:14 — Tailoring your resume to every job  04:21 — How to use AI to find resume gaps  06:48 — The dartboard networking method  09:19 — Alumni, colleagues, and volunteers: your inner circle  12:39 — Applying vs. networking: the flare analogy  14:57 — Lead with help, not with asks  15:09 — Track your network like a pro  17:27 — Does it matter if they remember you?  19:19 — Follow up more than once If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect:  Talent-Connect Website [http://www.talent-connect.net] Talent-Connect LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=Talent-Connect&origin=RICH_QUERY_TYPEAHEAD_HISTORY&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Aorganization%3A9236765&position=0] Kevin's LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/kevinmcameron/?skipRedirect=true] Join our Join our FREE Talent-Connect Community Space Job searching takes more out of you than most people expect. It can feel isolating, and it's easy to lose your footing when you're navigating it without support. That's exactly why we built this space. Inside you'll find podcast episodes from Careering with Cameron, practical tips on job searching, interviewing, and negotiating, networking advice you can actually use, and a library of free resources we add to regularly. Join here! [https://www.talent-connect.net/freecirclesignup]  Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

The Camera Confidence Secret Recruiters Notice Immediately

Your camera is on. Are you ready? In this episode, Kevin Cameron is joined again by photographer and on-camera coach Rebecca Sanabria for a practical, no-fluff conversation about how to show up with confidence on video - whether you're interviewing, networking, or casting for your next opportunity. Rebecca brings expert insight from behind and in front of the lens, and the result is a must-listen for anyone whose next big career moment is happening on Zoom. From lighting hacks to "main character energy," this episode covers everything you need to make a strong first impression before you even say a word. As Rebecca puts it: "All these little tweaks add up to a big first impression." Key Takeaways Decisions are made in seconds — your lighting, posture, background and energy all signal professionalism before you open your mouth. Face a window or set your light to 5,600 Kelvin to mimic natural light and look your best on camera. Do a test call, download your software early, and shake out nervous energy before you sit down. Keep your background clean and simple — you want the focus on you, not what's behind you. Show up with "main character energy" — confident, present and authentically yourself. Make sure your LinkedIn headshot still looks like you. Refresh it every two years, and think twice before using AI-generated versions. Episode Highlights 00:47 — Welcome back Rebecca Sanabria  01:29 — Why camera presence matters as much as your headshot  03:29 — Dressing for the job you want  04:00 — How to energise yourself before you sit down for a Zoom  04:27 — Testing your setup and downloading software in advance  05:18 — Lighting tips: windows, LED lights and the Kelvin setting explained  07:33 — Background guidance: virtual, blank wall or clean space  08:44 — Posture, smiling and showing up with the right energy  10:19 — Why turning your video off is a red flag  11:10 — Camera distance and framing yourself correctly  12:00 — Outfit tips (including the borrow-and-return trick)  13:01 — Main character energy: owning the interview with confidence  21:32 — Audio: wired vs Bluetooth headsets  23:18 — Final checklist: teeth, grooming, headshots and consistency  24:00 — The risk of AI headshots and being mistaken for a bot  28:43 — Where to find Rebecca Connect With Rebecca Instagram: @howrebeccaseesit  Website: rebeccasanabria.com If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect: Website: www.talent-connect.net [http://www.talent-connect.net]  LinkedIn: Talent-Connect Kevin's  LinkedIn: Kevin Cameron PCC Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

Why 80% of Jobs Are Never Posted (And How to Land Them)

70–80% of jobs are never posted - filled through networking. We break down how to reach out without triggering the "I need a job" response that shuts contacts down. Three outreach templates, the psychology behind them, and the mistakes costing job seekers replies. Join our FREE Talent-Connect Community Space [https://www.talent-connect.net/freecirclesignup] Job searching takes more out of you than most people expect. It can feel isolating, and it's easy to lose your footing when you're navigating it without support. That's exactly why we built this space. Join here - https://www.talent-connect.net/freecirclesignup [https://www.talent-connect.net/freecirclesignup] Key Takeaways Be specific - broad messaging makes it harder for people to help.  Ask for 15 minutes, not a job.  Remove pressure and make saying yes easy.  Your subject line must signal the connection in five seconds.  Three referrals beat one - multiple touchpoints is your cheat code around ATS. Episode Highlights The Alumni Connection — shared experiences build trust faster than a cold message.  The Ben Franklin Effect — asking an expert for advice positions you as curious, not desperate.  The Direct Referral — why one isn't enough and how three makes hiring managers take notice.  Do's and Don'ts — follow-up timing and why reaching business leads over HR changes everything. Timestamps 00:00 Why most jobs are never posted  01:48 "I need a job" email vs. real connection  07:31 Template 1: The Alumni Connection  16:47 Template 2: The Ben Franklin Effect  21:30 Template 3: The Direct Referral  25:36 Bypassing ATS with referrals  26:42 Do's and Don'ts If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review or follow @careeringwithcameron_ so you don't miss our next episode! Share this episode with a friend currently navigating the job market! Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

How To Land Your First Job (Or Internship)

Is your student stuck at the start line of their career? In this episode, Kevin Cameron sits down with Steven Rothberg, founder of CollegeRecruiter.com — a job search platform helping over a million students and recent grads find great careers every month. Steven shares why your first boss matters more than your job title, how AI is reshaping the student job search, and the one framework that helps you figure out what you actually want to do. Whether you're a student, a parent of one, or someone starting fresh — this one is packed with practical, honest advice you won't find in a classroom. Key Takeaways Your first boss matters more than your first company. A great manager will develop you faster than any prestigious job title. Use AI in your job search — employers are now seeing it as a feature, not a cheat. It helps you communicate your value more clearly. Try CIV Analysis: map out your Competencies, Interests and Values. The overlap points you toward the right career path. Stop asking "what do I want to do for the rest of my life." Ask: where do I want to be at 25? Think in steps, not decades. Build your LinkedIn early. Employers are watching — so are you. Research your future manager before you accept. Episode Highlights 00:00 – Kevin Cameron introduces Steven Rothberg and CollegeRecruiter.com  01:37 – How College Recruiter works and who it serves  03:08 – Why employers care more about critical thinking than your major or GPA  05:14 – How AI has transformed the student job search in just 5 years  07:21 – Why using AI is now a hiring signal, not a red flag  12:49 – How to find your first internship or job when you don't know where to start  14:10 – Why your first boss is the most important career decision you'll make  16:30 – How to use LinkedIn to research your future manager before accepting a job  20:55 – Resources for students with criminal records navigating the job market  24:55 – The CIV framework: Competencies, Interests and Values explained  27:40 – Stop planning your whole career — just plan the next 3 years  29:11 – Steven shares his "why" and what drives College Recruiter's mission Connect With Steven Rothberg Website: www.collegerecruiter.com [http://www.collegerecruiter.com] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevenrothberg Email: steven@collegerecruiter.com If you found this advice valuable, please hit subscribe, leave us a review. Visit Talent Connect:  Website: www.talent-connect.net [http://www.talent-connect.net]  LinkedIn: Talent-Connect Kevin's  LinkedIn: Kevin Cameron PCC Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/] 601425