#50 - Josh Volinsky, CPA, Co-Founder, Synergy Search

#56 - Rich Rosen, Executive Recruiter & Founder, Cornerstone Search

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Rich Rosen, Executive Recruiter & Founder of Cornerstone Search, to discuss what it really takes to stand out in today's competitive sales and leadership job market. Drawing from more than three decades of recruiting experience and over 1,200 successful placements, Rich shares the habits, mindset, and interview strategies that consistently separate top performers from the rest of the field. The conversation explores why so many candidates fail to do the basics, how AI is widening the gap between average and exceptional talent, what founders and investors look for when hiring revenue leaders, and the common mistakes companies make during the hiring process. Rich also offers candid insights on building strong professional relationships, evaluating compensation opportunities, conducting effective discovery conversations, and creating long-term career success in SaaS and high-growth organizations. Rich LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cstone1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cstone1/] Cornerstone Website: https://cornerstonesearch.com/ [https://cornerstonesearch.com/]

#55 - Andrea Colabella, Founder & Executive Recruiter, The Cardea Group

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Andrea Colabella for a deeper conversation on hiring strategy, legal and compliance recruiting, onboarding challenges, and the growing impact of AI in the investment management space. Andrea shares how firms can identify when they are becoming too lean, the importance of proactive hiring, and why onboarding and expectation-setting are becoming critical factors in long-term employee success. The conversation also dives into generational shifts in the workplace, how top-performing organizations structure their legal and compliance teams, and why specialized recruiting partners bring a level of market insight that goes far beyond resumes alone. Company Website: https://thecardeagroup.com/ [https://thecardeagroup.com/] Andrea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colabella/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/colabella/]

#54 - Kimberly Laipple, President, Scientific Search

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Kimberly Laipple to discuss the evolving recruiting landscape within life sciences, biotech, and pharma. Kim shares insights on what truly makes candidates stand out, the importance of preparation and transparency during the interview process, and why leadership today requires both strategic vision and hands-on execution. The conversation also explores remote work, generational leadership challenges, company culture, and how organizations can better attract and retain top talent in today’s market. Kimberly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlylaipple/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlylaipple/] Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scientific-search/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/scientific-search/]

#53 - Cathy Stewart, Executive Recruiter, Jeff Harris & Associates, Inc

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with executive recruiter Cathy Stewart from Jeff Harris & Associates to discuss what truly separates top executive candidates from the rest. Cathy shares insights from her work in senior living and retained executive search, including how boards and CEOs make leadership decisions, why alignment and urgency matter in hiring, and the biggest mistakes executives make during interviews. The conversation also dives into intentional career growth, why counteroffers can damage long term trust, how AI is impacting recruiting, and why relationship driven leadership still matters more than ever in an increasingly automated world.

#52 - Julia Stegman, Career Coach & Author, Discover Meaningful Work

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Julia Stegman, former HP executive turned career coach and author of Discover Meaningful Work, to discuss how executives can navigate layoffs, career transitions, and professional reinvention with greater clarity and purpose. Julia shares the mindset shifts she encourages leaders to make before jumping into a job search, why self-reflection is a competitive advantage, and how growth industries can create a “tailwind” for long-term career success. The conversation also dives into tech-adjacent industries, meaningful leadership, avoiding reactive career decisions, and practical ways executives can realign their careers with their values without necessarily leaving their current organization. This episode is packed with actionable insights for professionals looking to build a more intentional and fulfilling career path. Julia Website: https://discovermeaningfulwork.com/ [https://discovermeaningfulwork.com/]