Behind the Hire Podcast

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with executive recruiter Danica Van Horn to discuss what executives need to know about navigating today’s job market. Drawing from her experience recruiting across industries, including manufacturing and financial services, Danica shares insights into what companies look for in leadership candidates, common mistakes executives make during the hiring process, and the importance of finding the right cultural fit. They also explore how to build meaningful relationships with recruiters, why accepting a counteroffer can be risky, and how executives can approach their job search more strategically. Danica emphasizes the importance of authenticity, clear communication, and knowing your priorities rather than settling for an opportunity that isn't the right fit. Danica LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danica-van-horn-14544839/

In this episode of Behind the Hire, Jesse Gale sits down with Kiana Carnline, Affordable Housing Recruiter at Joseph Chris Partners, to discuss what makes candidates stand out in today's competitive job market. Kiana shares insights on common interview mistakes, what recruiters look for in executives and senior leaders, and why authenticity and genuine passion matter throughout the hiring process. They also explore the importance of building long-term relationships with recruiters, networking before you need a job, and taking a more intentional approach to your job search. Whether you're actively exploring new opportunities or looking to strengthen your professional network, this conversation offers practical advice from a recruiter's perspective. Kiana LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiana-carnline/ Website: https://www.josephchris.com/

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://ap-ago.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/