Feras Ahlou: Leverage Getting Laid Off to Launch Your Dream Career

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. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-job-interview-experience/id1538223546https://moveupcareers.com/survey

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/ https://moveupcareers.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-job-interview-experience/id1538223546https://moveupcareers.com/survey

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. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-job-interview-experience/id1538223546https://moveupcareers.com/survey

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://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-job-interview-experience/id1538223546https://moveupcareers.com/survey

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. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-job-interview-experience/id1538223546https://moveupcareers.com/survey

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-job-interview-experience/id1538223546https://moveupcareers.com/survey

Dr. Sharon Hull: Founder of Meta Solutions and author of Professional Careers by Design, Dr. Hull brings 35 years of experience as a physician and coach to help over 450 clients pivot careers.Beating Self-Doubt: She shares her "hip pocket questions," starting with "What matters most to you?" to guide listeners through career uncertainty.Five-Step Framework: Identify what matters to you, your stakeholders, and your organization, then align and act—practical steps for any transition.Life Stage Insights: Early careers focus on skills, mid-careers on balance, and later ones on caretaking; most prioritize personal (70%) over professional goals.Staying Adaptable: With long-term jobs rare, she advises building a priority “touchstone” to navigate today’s flexible career landscape.When to Shift: Use the "Stay-Go Grid" (Stay/Go vs. Survive/Thrive) and "Four Es" (Education, Experience, Exposure, Enthusiasm) to spot the right time to move.Cover Letter Tips: Keep it short, narrative-driven, and tied to the company’s needs—e.g., link a caregiving gap to relevant skills.Real Stories: A leader tweaked her life for her kids, and a retiree chased a Hollywood dream—proof her tools work.Core Message: Life is one—design it intentionally. Connect at www.metasolutions.com https://moveupcareers.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-job-interview-experience/id1538223546https://moveupcareers.com/survey

The Big Five Personality Traits and how they relate to career growth:Openness to ExperienceConscientiousnessExtraversionAgreeablenessNeuroticism (emotional stability)Traits linked to higher promotion rates:Extraversion – Helps with visibility and networkingConscientiousness – Correlates with high performance and dependabilityEmotional Stability – Supports calm decision-making under stressTraits that may hold you back:High Neuroticism – Linked to stress and fewer promotionsHigh Agreeableness – May lead to under-negotiation or lack of assertivenessHow industry and job type matter:Extraversion is vital in sales, but not in solitary roles like programmingOpenness helps in creative fields, while conscientiousness is king in structured jobsPractical strategies to grow your promotability, even if your natural traits don’t match the “ideal”:Communication tips for introvertsStress management for emotionally reactive individualsAssertiveness coaching for agreeable personalitiesYour personality isn’t a limit—it’s a tool. Learn to leverage your strengths and develop the right skills to stand out and move up. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-job-interview-experience/id1538223546https://moveupcareers.com/survey

Meet the Experts: Dr. Randy Brazie (psychiatrist and medical director) and Dr. Geoffrey VanderPal (educator, financial advisor) discuss how medicine, neuroscience, and business intersect to help job seekers.Science of Stress: Understand how the nervous system reacts under pressure and why recognizing fight-or-flight (or freeze) responses is crucial for interview success.Practical Anxiety Techniques: Learn subtle “orienting” methods, mindful breathing, and ways to channel nervous energy (e.g., a brief walk or grounding in the moment).Financial Stability & Job Hunting: Discover budgeting essentials, managing debt, and why it’s better to “get rich slow” through diversified, steady investing.Staying Steady & Confident: Hear actionable tips for prepping before interviews, creating a sense of safety in the interview room, and staying focused on your mission and purpose.About “The Steadfast Leader”: Their co-authored book fuses neuroscience with leadership strategies, offering insights on decision-making under stress.Links & ResourcesThe Steadfast Leader (book): Available at major booksellers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.).Neuro Consulting Group: neuroconsultinggroup.com – online training and resources.Connect with Dr. Brazie & Dr. VanderPal: Visit steadfastleader.com for more info and direct links. https://moveupcareers.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-job-interview-experience/id1538223546https://moveupcareers.com/survey