The Mental Health Side of Job Searching Nobody Talks About | Steph Gillies

The Mental Health Side of Job Searching Nobody Talks About | Steph Gillies

What happens to your mental health when your job disappears or when you're too burnt out to stay?  In this episode, Kevin Cameron sits down with Steph Gillies, resume writer, interview coach, and career development speaker, who brings a rare combination of lived experience and professional expertise to the conversation. With 37 jobs in 15 years and a background in social work, Steph has seen it all and she's not afraid to talk about the parts of career transition that most people are too ashamed to name. From grieving a layoff to protecting your mental health through a long job search, Steph shares the practical frameworks and honest truths that her clients wish they'd heard sooner. This one is for anyone who has ever stayed in the wrong job too long or felt guilty for wanting something better. Key Takeaways Give yourself permission to grieve a job loss, even if you're relieved it's over.  The response rate for online applications is 3 to 6% — knowing the numbers protects your confidence.  Track where you're dropping off in the process: that's where to focus your energy.  Apply to five to ten jobs and network with three to five people per week — consistency beats volume.  Informational interviews are the most underused tool in a career pivot.  You don't owe a company loyalty it hasn't earned — accept the offer and keep interviewing.  Self-care during a job search means sleep, food and movement, not just bubble baths. Episode Highlights Why people stay in jobs they hate — and what it actually takes to admit it.  The three stages where mental health takes a hit: toxic employment, layoff shock, and the long search.  How Steph helped a banking director land a nonprofit director role in three months by rewriting her entire resume around volunteering.  The startup horror story: two people quit their jobs three days before joining a startup that then ran out of money.  Why the people closest to you are sometimes the worst advocates in your job search.  How to talk about a layoff professionally — and why "restructuring" is always the right word. Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction and Steph's background  02:24 — The link between career and mental health  03:50 — Three stages where mental health suffers  05:19 — Admitting you're unhappy: the hardest first step  06:18 — Why people undervalue themselves and apply below their level  08:44 — The fear of making a change — and how to face it  09:40 — Informational interviews: the most underused career tool  11:09 — How informational interviews can turn into referrals  12:59 — Why you need to grieve before you apply  15:25 — What to say when people ask what happened  16:22 — Mental health through the job search  17:18 — The 3 to 6% response rate explained  18:15 — Building a fuller job search strategy  19:32 — Tracking where you drop off in the process  21:33 — Making space for yourself during transition  22:30 — Not everyone needs a dream job — and that's fine  24:17 — Structure: how to run a targeted, time-condensed search  27:27 — When you get an offer but a better role is still in play  28:25 — How to handle competing offers tactfully  29:23 — The startup story and why you must look out for yourself  31:51 — The wellness pillars that actually matter  32:39 — Steph's why Connect With Steph LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephgillies/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephgillies/] Website: stephgillies.com [http://stephgillies.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/]

The Job Search Is Rigged Against You | with Jeremy Schifeling

If you're a recent grad staring down a job market that feels like it has the rug pulled out from under it, this episode is exactly what you need. Kevin Cameron sits down with Jeremy Schifeling of The Job Insiders - a former kindergarten teacher turned LinkedIn insider turned career strategist, to talk about what's actually holding the next generation back, and more importantly, what to do about it. From using AI to uncover jobs you didn't know existed, to why reaching out to senior alumni is your biggest untapped advantage, Jeremy brings practical, no-fluff advice for students, recent grads, and the parents trying to help them. He also makes the case for why your first job doesn't have to be your forever job and why that's actually great news. Key Takeaways Use AI to discover job titles that match your strengths and passions — upload your performance reviews and letters of recommendation and ask it what others see in you.  Reach out to alumni with curiosity, not a transaction.  Ask about their career, not for a job.  Don't let a blue chip brand be the goal — small and mid-sized companies build better skills faster.  Your first job is a stepping stone, not a life sentence.  Notice when work feels like flow — that's your signal.  Grad school used to hide from the job market is an expensive mistake. Episode Highlights Jeremy's pivot from kindergarten teacher to LinkedIn and Khan Academy.  Why 70% of Gen Z say they want to be influencers — and what that actually reveals.  The alumni outreach mistake that kills your chances before you've even started.  Why senior leaders get almost no outreach — and why that's your opportunity.  The "brand creep" trap: chasing logos over meaning.  Why small companies are hiring while big names are laying off.  How to do a background check on your future boss using LinkedIn. Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction  00:42 — Meet Jeremy Schifeling and The Job Insiders  03:49 — What grads are feeling right now  04:57 — Using AI to find jobs you didn't know existed  05:33 — A word to the parents  06:51 — What Gen Z actually wants (it's not what you think)  09:48 — Location as a career strategy  12:19 — The cheat sheet for structuring your search  14:30 — The alumni outreach mistake everyone makes  17:05 — Why senior leaders never get messaged (and why you should)  19:17 — Let your kid do the outreach themselves  21:07 — Building confidence through discomfort  21:48 — How The Job Insiders works  23:45 — Your first job is a stepping stone, not forever  25:41 — Should you go to grad school?  27:35 — What to look for in that first role  28:42 — The concept of flow and your career  30:29 — The brand creep trap  32:55 — Small companies vs big names: the truth  35:28 — How to background check your future boss  36:57 — Jeremy's why Connect With Jeremy Website: https://www.thejobinsiders.com/ [https://www.thejobinsiders.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schifeling/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/schifeling/] 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/]

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/]