Advertise on podcast: 2Talented Podcast

AI can make your job search faster, more focused and more effective, but it can also destroy your credibility when used the wrong way. In this episode, Graham and Corinne break down the best ways to use AI, including improving your résumé, preparing for interviews, practicing with mock questions and identifying companies that may value your experience. They also cover the worst uses of AI, from adding false information to your résumé and using bots to mass-apply, to secretly relying on AI during interviews and technical assessments. As fake candidates, automated applications and AI-generated content flood the hiring market, authenticity is becoming more important than ever. AI should help you present your real experience more clearly, not create a version of you that does not exist.

References may feel like a formality, but they can still have a major impact on a hiring decision. In this episode, Graham and Corinne break down who candidates should choose as references, how to prepare them and how to make the process as easy as possible. They also discuss backdoor references, when hiring managers contact people outside of the candidate’s official list, sometimes without the candidate ever knowing. Finally, they share advice for anyone asked to serve as a reference, including when to say yes, what information to request and how to provide honest, specific feedback that is actually helpful.

After nearly three years of layoffs, hiring freezes, and uncertainty, Graham and Corinne discuss why they're beginning to see signs of life in the technology job market. They break down the latest jobs report, explain why the headline numbers don't tell the whole story, and share what they're seeing firsthand from working with hiring managers every day. The conversation also explores the next phase of AI in the workplace. Companies are discovering that while AI is an incredible productivity tool, it isn't replacing people as quickly as many predicted. Instead, organizations are shifting their focus toward using AI to make employees more effective—and they're hiring leaders who can help make that happen. Whether you're actively job searching, thinking about your next career move, or trying to understand where AI fits into the future of work, this episode offers practical insights from recruiters who are on the front lines of today's hiring market. In this episode:• What the latest jobs report really tells us• Why tech hiring may finally be gaining momentum• The AI reality check many companies are facing• Why businesses are hiring AI-savvy leaders instead of replacing entire teams• How job seekers can stay competitive in an AI-driven workplace

Many job seekers automatically dismiss contract opportunities in favor of permanent positions, but is that always the right decision? In this episode of the 2Talented Podcast, Graham and Corinne break down when a contract role can actually be a smart career move and why some of the best opportunities in today's market come in contract or contract-to-hire form. We discuss: • When taking a contract role can accelerate your career• Using contract work to gain experience with new technologies and skill sets• How to evaluate whether the compensation is worth it• Why working for an exciting company can sometimes outweigh employment type• The pros and cons of contract-to-hire opportunities• How to calculate an equivalent hourly rate from an annual salary• The hidden value of benefits, PTO, bonuses and retirement contributions• What questions you should ask before accepting a contract position• The growing trend of fractional and part-time consulting work We also discuss current hiring trends we're seeing through Strides Staffing, share running and race updates, and provide practical advice for candidates navigating a challenging job market. Whether you're actively interviewing, considering a contract opportunity, or simply want to understand all of your career options, this episode will help you evaluate contract work with a more strategic mindset.

This week on the 2Talented Podcast, Graham and Corinne talk about one of the most stressful and awkward parts of your career: giving notice. Most people spend weeks preparing for interviews and negotiating offers, but almost no time thinking through how to professionally leave a company. In this episode, we discuss best practices for giving notice including whether you should do it in person or over video, how much notice to give, what language to use and how to avoid burning bridges on the way out. We also walk through the many different reactions employers can have once you resign: Counter offersAngry bossesLeadership wanting emergency meetingsFeeling guilt or betrayalImmediate terminationOr sometimes… almost no reaction at allThe goal of this episode is to help prepare you mentally and professionally so you can handle the conversation with confidence and avoid common mistakes that can damage your reputation long term. We also kick things off with running updates, upcoming races and a discussion around recent wins and challenges with Strides Staffing in today’s market. Whether you are actively interviewing, considering a career move or just want to be prepared for the future, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

You got the offer. Now what? Most candidates think the hard part is over—but the offer stage is where some of the biggest career mistakes actually happen. In this episode of 2Talented, Graham and Corinne break down how to evaluate, negotiate, and make the right decision when an offer hits your inbox. Because this isn’t just about saying yes or no. It’s about: How this role stacks up against your current jobWhether you should wait on other opportunities or move forwardHow to negotiate without putting the offer at riskAnd why your base salary matters more than you think for your long-term earning potentialWe also cover: Verbal vs. written offers (and why that matters)How to negotiate when a recruiter is involved vs. going directly to a hiring managerWhat to do if your current company gives you a counterofferThe most common mistakes candidates make at this stageAnd as always, we kick things off with a quick update on recent wins at Strides Staffing and how training is going for our upcoming races. If you’re in the interview process—or think you will be soon—this is the episode that can directly impact your career and your compensation. Because getting the offer isn’t the finish line. It’s where the real decisions start. 2Talented is a podcast for job seeking in the AI age—breaking down what’s actually happening in the hiring market and how to stay competitive.

Everyone is talking about AI. Very few people actually know how to use it. And that’s creating a massive opportunity. In this episode of 2Talented, Graham and Corinne break down the new skill that companies are quietly starting to value—not building AI, but actually applying it inside the business. Because here’s what we’re seeing in real time: Companies are being told they need AI.Leadership is being asked to implement it.But most teams don’t know where to start. So who fills that gap? The candidate who can walk into an organization and say:“Here’s how we can actually use this.” We cover: Why AI knowledge alone isn’t enough anymoreHow tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot are being used across marketing, software development, and financeA real story from a CTO who is being pulled into teaching AI across his entire companyWhy companies will start hiring people specifically to bridge this gapHow candidates can use this to stand out immediately in interviewsAnd most importantly—we break down exactly how you can start using AI this week and turn it into a real advantage in your job search. Because the new skill isn’t AI. It’s knowing how to use it to make a business better. 2Talented is a podcast for job seeking in the AI age—where we break down what’s actually happening in the hiring market and how to stay competitive.

In this episode of the 2Talented Podcast, we break down what’s really going on in today’s job market—starting with the February jobs report and the surprising revisions that suggest things may not be as strong as the headlines indicate. While unemployment remains relatively low, hiring has slowed significantly. We dig into why job seekers are feeling the disconnect and what the data actually tells us about where the market is heading. We also tackle a growing trend: companies announcing layoffs and attributing them to AI. With firms like Block and others suggesting that artificial intelligence is replacing jobs, we ask the question—is that really true, or is there more going on beneath the surface? We explore: What the February jobs report really tells us Why revisions matter more than headlines The concept of a “low hire, low fire” job market Whether AI is actually replacing jobs—or being used as a narrative How this trend could be slowing hiring across the market If you’re a job seeker, hiring manager, or just trying to make sense of the current market, this episode will give you a clearer, more honest perspective on what’s happening right now. Strides Staffing Update:We also share what we’re seeing on the ground in Colorado—from hiring trends to where companies are still investing in talent.

What happens when a lawyer pivots into Talent Acquisition and ends up leading it for a fast-growing ERP and CRM company serving government contractors and construction firms? In this episode of the 2Talented Podcast, we sit down with Nick Larche, VP of Talent at Unanet, to talk about career reinvention, scaling talent inside a specialized software company, and how AI is reshaping recruiting in real time. Nick shares his unconventional path from law into recruiting, how Unanet has grown, and why talent acquisition has become a strategic function at the executive level. We dive into the evolving role of AI in hiring — what’s working, what’s overhyped, and where the human element still wins every time. We also cover: How AI tools are helping recruiters manage massive applicant flow Why maintaining relationships with candidates (even the “no’s”) matters more than ever How candidates are already experiencing AI in interviews Smart ways recruiters and job seekers can leverage AI to improve outcomes The importance of continuous learning (including a few book recommendations) If you’re a hiring manager, recruiter, government contractor, construction leader, or job seeker trying to understand where hiring is headed in the AI age — this one’s for you. At 2Talented, we believe great hiring isn’t about transactions. It’s about relationships, adaptability, and staying sharp in a changing market. Let’s get into it.

Talent acquisition teams and recruiting agencies can be one of your biggest advantages in hiring—or one of your biggest frustrations. In this episode of The 2Talented Podcast, we focus on best practices for managers who need to hire and want to get better results from their talent acquisition and recruiting partners. Whether you work with an internal TA team, an external agency, or both, how you show up in the process directly impacts candidate quality, speed, and experience. We cover: Why recruiters should be treated as true partners, not transactional vendors How poor communication and delayed feedback slow hiring and frustrate candidates What clear directives really look like—and why partial information leads to mismatches Why spending 30 minutes upfront can save days or weeks of wasted time How to prioritize recruiting alongside your day job What effective, actionable candidate feedback sounds like How breakdowns in the process can make your organization look disorganized to candidates We also share a quick running update and what we’re seeing at Strides Staffing & Consulting as we partner with hiring managers navigating a challenging and competitive talent market. If you’re a manager who wants faster hires, stronger candidates, and a better candidate experience, this episode will help you build better recruiting partnerships—and get more out of the people supporting your hiring efforts. Tune in and start hiring smarter by working better with your recruiting partners.

Posting a job description isn’t enough anymore. In today’s hiring market, many of the best candidates aren’t actively applying—they’re already employed, well-networked, and paying close attention to who is hiring, not just what is posted. In this episode of The 2Talented Podcast, we continue our series for hiring managers and talent leaders by breaking down practical ways to attract talent beyond the job description. We discuss: Why hiring managers should post open roles on their personal LinkedIn profiles How leveraging your network creates trust, reach, and better conversations Talking about open roles at networking events, conferences, and peer conversations Reconnecting with past candidates who impressed you—and tapping into their networks How to clearly articulate what makes a role unique and compelling How reputation and compensation perception influence candidate interest We also share a quick running update and what we’re seeing at Strides Staffing & Consulting as we work with hiring managers navigating a competitive and evolving talent market. If you’re responsible for hiring and relying solely on job postings, this episode will help you think differently—and more effectively—about how great talent actually finds great roles. 🎧 Tune in and start attracting talent instead of waiting for it.

Interviewing isn’t about finding someone you “like.” It’s about clarity, consistency, and making decisions that hold up over time. In this episode, we start with our usual running and Strides Staffing & Consulting updates, then dive into a step-by-step framework for interviewing candidates effectively—especially in a competitive and fast-moving market. We cover: How to define the role you’re hiring for (not just the job title or the person you hope shows up) Why you should never wing interviews—and how to build a consistent set of questions The four critical areas every interview should assess: skill set, role fit, team fit, and company culture Why face-to-face or video interviews matter more than ever How to objectively assess candidate answers and avoid common hiring biases When to move fast in the offer stage—and how moving too slowly can cost you great talent Just like training for an ultramarathon, strong interviewing requires preparation, pacing, and knowing when to push and when to stay disciplined. Whether you’re a founder, hiring manager, or part of a growing leadership team, this episode will help you interview with more confidence—and make better hires. Listen now and subscribe to The 2Talented Podcast for practical insights on hiring, careers, and the modern job market.

In this episode of The 2Talented Podcast, we kick off a new series designed specifically for hiring managers and talent acquisition leaders. We break down how to write a job description that attracts the right candidates, filters out the wrong ones, and sets your team up for success long before the first interview. We cover: How to structure a job description that’s clear, realistic, and compelling What skills you actually need vs what’s nice to have The pros and cons of including compensation ranges How to talk about company culture without buzzwords Legal considerations every hiring manager should keep in mind How to use AI to strengthen a job description without losing the human element Personality traits that tend to succeed in certain roles We also share a quick running update and what we’re seeing right now at Strides Staffing & Consulting as we work with Colorado-based companies navigating a challenging hiring market. If you’ve ever wondered why a role isn’t attracting the right talent—or why interviews feel misaligned—this episode is a practical place to start. 🎧 Listen in and get your next hire off on the right foot.

In this episode of Too Talented, Graham and Corinne discuss the current job market dynamics, focusing on the hidden job market that isn't advertised online. They explore the importance of networking, optimizing job applications, and building relationships with recruiters. The conversation also touches on economic updates regarding inflation and its impact on job opportunities. Listeners are encouraged to be strategic in their job search and to leverage personal connections to uncover unlisted job opportunities.

After a turbulent stretch in hiring, what does 2026 really look like for job seekers and employers? In this episode of the 2Talented Podcast, we break down the latest economic and labor forecasts — pointing to a year of stabilization and modest growth — and compare it to Graham’s firsthand experience recruiting during the 2010 post–recession recovery. Just like 2010, 2026 is shaping up to be a transition year: hiring is improving, contract roles are strong, and confidence is slowly returning. We also answer two popular questions from LinkedIn:• Are cover letters still necessary in 2025?• Is AI actually replacing jobs? From the rise of resume summaries to how AI is reshaping (not eliminating) roles, we share what we’re really seeing in the market — including a real client example where AI “vibe coding” delayed hiring but didn’t replace it. We wrap with actionable advice for job seekers heading into 2026, including why networking, patience, and flexibility around hybrid/onsite work may be the difference between landing a great role and staying stuck. As always, we kick things off with our running and business updates before diving into what to expect from the year ahead.