Advertise on podcast: Behind the Hire Podcast

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Peter Brown, Founder and Executive Recruiter at APAGO, to discuss what it takes to stand out in today's competitive executive job market. With over 20 years of recruiting experience specializing in federal contracting, Peter shares why quantifiable accomplishments are critical to attracting recruiters, the most common mistakes executives make during interviews, and how candidates can better communicate the value they bring to an organization. They also explore the importance of understanding career motivations, asking insightful questions, building trust with recruiters, and researching target companies to identify the right opportunities. Peter offers practical advice for executives navigating a challenging hiring market, emphasizing preparation, persistence, and finding the right long-term fit. Peter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-brown-apago/ Website: https://apago.com/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with John Kehoe of Boaz Partners to discuss what executives can do to stand out in today’s hiring market. John shares why authenticity, transparency, and asking the right questions matter when building relationships with recruiters, along with the importance of understanding the role and culture you actually want before beginning a search. He also explains why executives should focus less on mass applications and LinkedIn messages and more on real conversations, including simply picking up the phone. The conversation also covers industry experience, executive-level hiring, cultural fit, working with recruiters, and what companies are looking for when hiring leaders who can make an immediate impact. Website: BoazPartners.com John Email: [email protected] John Phone: 470-207-0067

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Cheryl Bedard of Cheryl Bedard Search to discuss what executives need to know about today’s hiring market. Cheryl shares why companies are increasingly searching for the “perfect” candidate, what makes an executive stand out to recruiters, and the common mistakes candidates make when telling their story. They also discuss what a strong first conversation with a recruiter should look like, how executives can better communicate the impact of their work, and how AI is changing resumes and executive branding. Cheryl closes with practical advice for approaching a job search strategically: understand yourself as a product, know exactly where you want to go, and build a marketing plan that helps you get there. Cheryl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylbedardsearch/ Website: https://bedardsearch.com/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Allan Seibert, Founder of E-Commerce Talent Advisors, to discuss what it takes to stand out in today’s highly competitive e-commerce and digital job market. Allan shares insights from nearly two decades in recruiting, including why specialized industry expertise matters, how AI is changing both hiring and the job search, and what executives can do to make their resumes and experience stand out. They also explore where the hiring process often breaks down, why the best candidate is not always the most obvious industry fit, and how strong relationships and referrals can help candidates cut through the noise and get in front of the right decision-makers. Company Website: https://www.ecommercetalentadvisors.com/ Allan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allanseibert/ Allan Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Justin Marcus, President of Gratus Staffing, to discuss what executives need to know about today’s evolving hiring market. Justin shares his perspective on what makes candidates stand out, the importance of communicating complex experience simply, and why executives need to balance confidence with humility throughout the interview process. They also explore how finance leadership roles are shifting from traditional technical positions toward strategic operator roles, why relationships remain one of the most effective ways to break into new opportunities, and how AI is changing recruiting and finance. Justin also shares the thinking behind Big Four Talent and OfferAlign, including how better alignment around compensation, career goals, and candidate motivations can help companies improve hiring outcomes. Justin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-m-marcus/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Ashley Richards, Managing Partner at Kaye/Bassman International, to discuss what actually helps candidates stand out in today’s crowded job market. Ashley shares lessons from more than 15 years in recruiting, including why strong recruiter relationships matter, how communication and eye contact can impact an interview, and why executives need to move beyond simply applying online. They also discuss the rise of fake job postings, the importance of in-person networking, and why authenticity may be one of the biggest advantages a job seeker can have in 2026. Ashley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleykayebassman/ Company Website: https://www.kbic.com/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Gina Barge, Principal at JM Search, to unpack what executives need to understand about today’s senior-level hiring process. Drawing on 20 years in executive search, Gina shares what separates standout candidates from the rest, why clarity and concise communication matter so much in interviews, and the subtle qualities recruiters evaluate that never appear on a resume, including self-awareness, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to give others credit. She also discusses how executives can build stronger relationships with recruiters, why LinkedIn keywords and positioning can directly affect visibility, and how AI is changing the expectations placed on leaders while making human judgment and leadership even more important. Gina LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginapbarge/ JM Search Profile: https://jmsearch.com/team/gina-barge/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Sandy Nahra, Senior HR Director at Practifi, to discuss what candidates need to understand about today’s hiring market. Sandy shares what makes candidates stand out, common interview mistakes, how to compete for remote roles, and why preparation, professionalism, and thoughtful follow-up still matter. She also explores what companies often get wrong during the hiring process, how AI is changing the workplace, and why candidates at every level should focus on clearly communicating the value they bring. Sandy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandynahra/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale speaks with Xan Marcucci, Founder of Confetti Recruiting, about what sales executives need to do to stand out in today’s competitive market. Drawing from her experience as a salesperson, sales leader, and recruiter, Xan explains why candidates should treat the interview process like a sales process, demonstrate integrity, coachability, and grit, and clearly communicate the value they bring to an organization. She also discusses the importance of warm introductions, hands-on AI experience, flexibility, personal branding, and carefully evaluating the long-term viability of startup opportunities. Confetti Website: https://www.confettirecruiting.com/ Xan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xanmarcucci/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Brett Frank, founder of BMF Talent Collective, to discuss how companies can build stronger teams and how executives can gain traction in a competitive job market. Brett shares insights from more than 20 years in talent acquisition, including what makes candidates stand out, the most common mistakes executives make during interviews, why networking is more effective than high-volume applications, and when organizations should consider fractional talent leadership. He also explores the hiring mistakes companies make before interviews even begin and why the fractional leadership model continues to grow across industries. Brett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettfrank/ Company Website: https://www.bmftalentcollective.com/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Donna Krasner, Co-Founder and Managing Director of TalentWyze, to discuss what separates great hiring organizations from those that struggle to attract top talent. Donna shares why recruiting is fundamentally a systems challenge rather than simply a people challenge, how companies can build scalable hiring processes, and what executives can do to stand out in today's competitive job market. The conversation also explores AI's growing role in recruiting, the importance of networking beyond job boards, the rise of fractional executive leadership, and why both candidates and employers are navigating what Donna calls "the great hesitation." Whether you're an executive searching for your next opportunity or a leader looking to improve your hiring strategy, this episode delivers practical insights from decades of talent acquisition and executive recruiting experience. Donna LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnakrasner/ Company Website: https://talentwyze.com/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Brian Ippolito, Managing Director at Eastward Partners Inc., to discuss what it takes to succeed in executive hiring within private equity and venture capital-backed companies. Brian shares how leadership expectations differ from public companies, the biggest mistakes executives make when pursuing PE- and VC-backed opportunities, and why understanding investor priorities is essential for long-term success. The conversation also explores today's competitive executive job market, the growing importance of networking and personal branding, and why executives must now demonstrate measurable business impact from their use of AI. Whether you're pursuing a VP or C-suite role, this episode delivers practical insights to help you better position yourself in today's evolving leadership landscape. Brian Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Jennifer Meyer, Chief Revenue Officer at Govig & Associates and a nationally recognized executive recruiter with more than 30 years of experience and over 1,100 successful placements. Jennifer shares why the best executive hires are built on cultural alignment, mutual respect, and long-term relationships—not just resumes and skill sets. Together, they discuss what separates exceptional candidates from the rest, the biggest interview mistakes executives make, why networking directly with hiring leaders is more effective than relying solely on online applications, and how today's hiring landscape is evolving. Jennifer also offers valuable insights into working with executive recruiters, navigating longer hiring cycles, and positioning yourself for success in a competitive executive job market. Jennifer Email: [email protected] Jennifer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmeyergovig/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Michael Pietrack, Managing Director of the Pharma & Biotech Recruiting Team at Kaye/Bassman International. A globally recognized recruiter, Pinnacle Society member, leadership podcast host, and author, Michael shares how specialization, relationship-building, and personal branding have helped him become one of the industry's top recruiters. Together, they discuss what separates elite recruiters from the rest, how executives can stand out in interviews through storytelling, why video content and LinkedIn have become powerful career accelerators, and the strategies professionals can use to successfully move into leadership roles. Whether you're an executive navigating your next career move or a recruiter looking to elevate your approach, this episode is packed with practical advice you can put to work immediately. Michael LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpietrack/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse sits down with Angie Truitt, Executive Partner at Joseph Chris Partners Executive Search, to discuss what truly separates executives who land leadership roles from those who get overlooked. After transitioning from a 13-year career as a commercial litigator into executive recruiting, Angie shares why preparation, authenticity, and meaningful networking consistently outperform polished resumes and generic interview answers. They discuss common executive interview mistakes, why asking thoughtful questions can make or break your candidacy, how to build relationships that lead to unposted opportunities, and what hiring leaders are really looking for in today's market. Whether you're actively searching for your next executive role or simply preparing for future opportunities, this conversation offers practical advice from a recruiter who has spent more than a decade placing senior leaders nationwide. Angie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-artzer-truitt-j-d-64242349/ Angie Phone Number: 281-359-2120