The Closed-Door Meeting: How High-Stakes Hiring Decisions Are REALLY Made

A single, career-defining question: “Can I create disproportionate value here - and will the organization reward it in the ways that matter to me?”Matthew shares the #1 question you must ask yourself before committing to a new job.Learn how to align your personal value creation with what a company truly rewards.Understand the difference between big bureaucratic vs. small fast-growing companies for your career path.Discover how to rank your priorities: time, money, autonomy, and more.Get practical interview questions to uncover whether a job fits your long-term goals.Explore how to assess if a role offers real growth or just a paycheck.Key Question: Can I create disproportionate value here - and will they reward it in ways that matter to me?https://moveupcareers.com/coaching https://moveupcareers.com/max

Apply at: moveupcareers.com/coaching Limited spots. Matthew personally reviews every application.What Really Happens After the InterviewFinal decisions are made in a closed-door meeting most candidates never see.Story: Two equal candidates—one played it safe, one challenged a market assumption. The bold one got the $180K offer.Perfect answers don’t win offers. Problem-solvers do.The 3 Tables You Must WinRecruiter:They scan fast—resume must scream “perfect fit” in seconds.CEO/Owner:They care about business value—solve their urgent problem.VP Panel:They eliminate risk—one misstep and you’re out.Knowing vs. WinningMost candidates know the rules. Few have the tools to win.You need insider strategy, real training, and expert guidance.The Unfair Advantage ProgramFor serious professionals ready to win high-stakes roles1-on-1 coaching (no group calls)Resume & LinkedIn rebuilt by a former talent VPNDA-protected scripts for 30%+ salary boostsHidden job market access & interview dominationUnlimited support + onboarding strategy

Speaking confidence coach Linda Ugelow joins the Move Up Podcast to explore how job seekers can overcome interview nerves, build authentic presence, and communicate with clarity and confidence—especially in high-stakes, video-based environments.Connect with Linda:lindaugelow.com/ritualsDelightinthelimelight.comKey Takeaways:Nerves are natural and can enhance performance if properly managed—adrenaline can sharpen your focus.Speaking anxiety often stems from past experiences; resolving these can reduce present-day fear.Mental rehearsal of positive outcomes and emotional states is crucial to showing up grounded and confident.Practical tips like vocal warmups, camera framing, and lighting help boost virtual interview presence.Mistakes are humanizing—own them with composure and use them to reconnect with your audience.Differentiating yourself comes from authentic self-expression, curiosity, and building rapport with interviewers.https://moveupcareers.com/max https://podcasts.apple.com/me/podcast/moveup-job-interviews-negotiation-promotions-offers/id1538223546https://moveupcareers.com/survey

https://moveupcareers.com/moveupmax

Use code "moveup" for one free month at Callings.ai Garrett Rice, co-founder and CEO of Callings.ai, shares how his team is revolutionizing the job search process with AI-powered tools designed to help job seekers navigate an increasingly complex and competitive market.Key Takeaways:Garrett and his co-founder built Callings.ai out of personal frustration with the outdated job search process, aiming to provide an all-in-one platform for job seekers.Today’s job market is more competitive due to remote work, global talent pools, and automated ATS systems that often reject resumes before a human sees them.Callings.ai offers tools for resume customization, interview prep, networking outreach, and a central job tracking system—saving users time and reducing overwhelm.The platform uses AI to semantically match job seekers to relevant roles and suggests improvements to increase their chances of success.Job seekers often fail by not maintaining a full “funnel”—Garrett emphasizes the importance of volume and consistency in applications and outreach.Callings.ai also includes a feature to help users discover their ideal job path, encouraging reflection and self-discovery through AI-assisted prompts.

You nailed the interview. They smiled. Then… silence. Here’s why.Summary:Most candidates never pitch themselves—they only answer questions.Hiring managers aren’t mind-readers. Your job is to connect the dots.Show up as the solution to their problems or opportunities.Learn the pitch that landed roles at Microsoft, Apple, and more.Two levers that close interviews: positioning + pitch.

APPLY: https://www.jobinterviewexperience.com/applyINTERVIEW: https://www.jobinterviewexperience.com/interview

Feras Ahlou shares the five most important strategies Gen Z job seekers and early-career professionals can use to gain career traction, while also revealing how getting laid off led him to a life-changing entrepreneurial journey.Key TakeawaysOver 50% of Gen Z graduates are underemployed a year after graduation—Feras outlines practical steps to overcome this, including leveraging AI, acquiring certifications, and reframing work-life balance.Being laid off can become a pivot point; Feras explains how rejection in 2003 led him to co-found multiple successful startups, eventually selling one for eight figures.Build your network early and often—it’s one of your most powerful, underutilized career assets.Work-life balance is not one-size-fits-all; identify what season of life you’re in and work accordingly, especially when you have time and energy to invest.Resilience, continuous skill-building, and giving back are essential long-term career strategies.Connect with Feras here:https://www.startupwithferas.com/

Most interview questions are easy to prepare for — but this one trips up even seasoned executives, VPs, and top salespeople. In this episode, Matthew reveals the deceptively simple interview question designed to uncover dangerous red flags — and how you can ace it to stand out in today's ultra-competitive job market.You’ll learn:The exact question top recruiters use to test your humility and self-awarenessWhy failure to answer this one question signals major red flags to hiring managersHow to craft a smart, professional answer that shows you're coachable and growth-mindedWhy even highly successful candidates freeze — and how you can avoid itReal-world examples of good vs bad answers that either win offers or ruin interviewsHow mastering this one response can immediately boost your chances of landing high-level rolesBig opportunities are rare — don't lose yours over an answer you can prepare today.

Connect with Lorraine:unforgettablepresencebook.comlinkedin.com/in/lorrainekleeLorraine K. Lee, LinkedIn Top Voice & author of Unforgettable Presence (Apr 22 2025) Big Idea – Hard work gets you noticed inside your cubicle; presence gets you noticed outside it.3 Arenas to MasterExecutive Poise – How you show up in rooms.Digital Footprint – LinkedIn posts ≈ once / month to start.Micro‑Interactions – Slack, meetings, quick intros.Quick WinsCraft a one‑line A‑U‑P‑I (unique intro).Use T‑E‑A on video: tech, energy, aesthetics.Reframe results in dollars saved or earned—not hours worked.Frameworks Mentioned – EPIC Career Brand (Experiences • Personality • Identity • Community).Introvert Edge – Lean on writing, chat summaries, one‑on‑ones; when you speak, people listen.Action Steps – Polish your LinkedIn headline, test your A‑U‑P‑I tomorrow, fix one TEA item before your next call.