The "Pretend You're Fired Today" Podcast

With Lisa Rangel

Lisa Rangel Podcast

Learn how to plan for your job security in an uncertain world. We'll share the career continuity, resume and LinkedIn profile writing, job search networking and interview tactics you'll need to stay continuously employed. 

Looking for a particular episode, topic or tactic? Enter your first name and email below to get access to the show notes for all 52 episodes of the "Pretend You're Fired Today" podcast.

Episode 01 - The Pretend You're Fired Today Podcast | Are You In Demand? Career Continuity

Companies downsize and restructure all the time, economy changes, jobs get outsourced and automated. You could be the best employee on the planet and you could still lose your job. Let me ask you this: If you were unexpectedly let go today, would you be okay? What if you were ok? Wouldn’t that feel great? There are things you can do starting today to make sure you always have your bases covered no matter what happens. And that’s the purpose of this podcast: To help you build the foundations of your job security so you know you’ll be fine even if you get fired when you least expect it!

Episode 02 - Executive Resume Trends 2017

Most people are using the same old resume every time they’re looking for a job. The one you got down at the college career center many years ago. And what's worse… They’re trying to score executive level positions with something that looks like it came from the 70's. No wonder they’re struggling to get calls. It doesn’t make sense! But hey. If you’re one of them? Don’t panic. You are in the right place. We’re going to fix your resume for you starting right now. In this second episode of the Pretend You’re Fired podcast you’re going to find out 6 key things you need to change in your resume to make it irresistible for any hiring manager.

Get Instant Access to Our Executive Resume Writing and Job Landing Master Class

During this free 60-minute session, you will learn:

  • How to brand yourself on your resume so hiring managers and recruiters can instantly establish your value
  • Why the resume is only worth 25% of your job search efforts and where else you should put your focus
  • What the *actual* goal of a resume is (it’s not what you think it is)
  • How to handle ageism when you’ve been in the game 25 plus years
  • Why the ATS could be the downfall of your job search
  • And so much more solid and proven executive-level job search advice

Join the tens of thousands of attendees worldwide who have found amazing value in this no-cost-to-you training.

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Episode 03 - Finding Keywords to Optimize Your Resume

If your resume doesn’t appear in that search the hiring manager does to find people like you, all of your hard work is lost. It’s like it never happened. And this is where keywords come in. Today, you’ll hear about 3 ways to come up with keywords to put in your resume so recruiters and hiring managers will always find you. What’s more, the keywords you’re going to use will demonstrate you are qualified for the positions you’re applying for and this alone can get you calls for interviews regularly.

Episode 04 - How to Write an Achievement Based Resume Recruiters Will Love

Here’s a fact. The only way for you to always be the candidate that gets interview calls is this: Stop writing boring resumes! The way to do that? Simple. Use achievement based bullets! It’s a skill that hardly anyone possesses but it’s simple to master. You’ll hear exactly how in today’s episode. No fluff, just actionable advice you can use right away.

Episode 05 - Tips to Write a Powerful CIO Resume

If you’re a high achieving CIO or an IT leader, today’s episode is the one for you. You’ll discover six ways to write an achievement based resume so you can outshine your competition and always be the candidate that gets the interviews. Not an IT person? You can still benefit by listening. Every resume today needs to be based on achievements and you’ll notice that every point made in today’s show can easily be applied to non-IT resumes almost without change.

Episode 06 - Resume Mistakes to Avoid

The only way you can truly protect yourself from job loss is if you pretend you’re fired today! It is the best path for you to always be working, have career continuity and avoiding gaps between employment. Today’s episode will reveal to you five resume writing mistakes that even the most experienced professionals get confused about. This way you are always ahead of the game, ahead of your competition… Plus, you’ll always be the candidate that gets the interview calls!

Episode 07 - Tips to Write a Powerful CFO, CMO or Healthcare Resume

If you’re a high achieving CFO, CMO, or a healthcare execute then today’s episode is for you! You’ll discover six steps to create a powerful leadership resume for marketing, healthcare and finance executives. This will help you stay ahead of the competition and pique the interest of any hiring manager looking for top talent.

Episode 08 - Incorporating Soft Skills Into Your Resume

Welcome back to another action packed Pretend You’re Fired episode! Today you’re going to discover five ways to effectively and strategically incorporate your soft skills into your resume so you’re always marketable to your network. Writing about your soft skills can be challenging because they are part of your personality. But after you go through these five steps you’ll know how to do it most effectively and you’ll notice you can really set yourself apart from the rest of your competition.

Episode 09 - Get Found Using Our Ultimate LinkedIn Profile Cheatsheet

Did you know: One of the most common places recruiters go to find new candidates online is LinkedIn. And if you’re wondering what’s more important, your resume or your LinkedIn profile… The answer is BOTH! That’s why in today’s episode we are shifting our focus to LinkedIn. Getting your profile up to speed before you need it is crucial to create demand and have recruiters find you! Also, most companies today have applications that parse LinkedIn profiles into their recruiting systems. And one thing you DON’T want to happen is to allow your dated info to appear in one of these tracking systems. In this episode you’ll discover seven things you need to tweak on your LinkedIn profile to boost your discoverability and have recruiters and hiring managers contact you more often!

Episode 10 - Avoiding Ageism In Your LinkedIn Profile

Here’s the truth: Ageism in job search is real. But! This doesn’t mean you should drop your towel and give up. On the contrary… You should deal with this as you do with any other challenges you face in business. Assume ageism happens and address it as best as you can, head on. The best place to start? Your LinkedIn profile! In this episode you’ll discover how to fix your LinkedIn profile so you always come across as current, avoid having discussions about your age and make sure you’re only ever evaluated on your achievements alone. In short: This episode will teach you how to make your profile ageless.

Episode 11 - Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile So Recruiters Can Find You

Welcome back to yet another action packed episode of Pretend You’re Fired Today! It is time to think about PASSIVE RECRUITING. Meaning, getting found by recruiters and hiring managers when you are not actively looking for a job. Once in motion, passive recruiting works like a well oiled machine, creating demand consistently… but you have to put all the elements in place, first. And here’s the thing. When you have demand and recruiters call you regularly, you never have to worry if your company changes gears on you. Because you will always be current. Listen to today’s episode and make sure you have the first aspect of passive recruiting in place: Your optimized LinkedIn profile!

Episode 12 - Unlock the Power of Your Network with LinkedIn

In the previous episode we started talking about passive recruiting. And why you should start putting it into motion. Let’s continue the conversation and move on to the second aspect of passive recruiting: Keeping your network robust and always talking about you. The benefit? When recruiters ask around who is good at X, your network will point at YOU. Which means, recruiters (and hiring managers) will come to you first! What you’ll hear today is one of the best ways to keep your network primed and active so you stay on top of their minds and create demand for you consistently. Specifically, you will learn four simple ways to grow and unlock the power of your network using nothing but LinkedIn.

Episode 13 - 5 Most Common Career Mistakes Smart Executives Make

Welcome to another episode of the Pretend You’re Fired Today podcast!

Today’s topic is all about the next thing on your “Pretend you’re fired” list, and that is your "career maintenance" activity.

You’re going to hear five most common mistakes smart executives make all the time and what to do to correct them. This will help you keep your network warm and always be on top of their mind.

Remember: The best time to create demand for you is when you don’t need it, so when necessity comes, the demand is going to be there for you.

Episode 14 - How Recruiters Work and How to Hire a Recruiter

I’m always surprised by how many senior executives and professionals don’t understand the business model of third party recruiting. And that’s a bad thing. Because an effective recruiter relationship can play an instrumental part in your career advances. It can literally mean the difference between you getting great offers all the time… and no calls at all! And that’s the focus of the episode today - understanding how recruiters work! Whether you’ve worked with recruiters before or not, you’ll find there are seven things you can improve immediately to make your relationship with them the most effective it can be.

Episode 15 - The Best Ways to Set Up Informational Interviews

I’m surprised by how few executives know how to use exploratory interviews to their advantage.

This is a great tool to learn new industries and discover unpublished opportunities in your field. Plus, it’s the best way to put yourself out there without declaring you are looking for a job!

An exploratory interview can play an instrumental role in your career advance - and, as a job seeker, you really need to learn how to use it the right way.

For this reason, today’s episode focuses on everything you need to know - and do! - before you set up your next informational interview with companies you’re interested in.

Episode 16 - Staying in Demand with Your Competitors

Very few people actively stay relevant to their competition… even when they do their job extremely well!

The reason? Spending too much time at your desk and assuming everyone around you knows about the good work that you do each day.

And if this describes you, don’t worry. Listen to today’s show to learn career maintenance strategies that will help you stay relevant (and in constant demand!) without declaring you are looking for a job.

Episode 17 - How to Make Job Boards Work for You

Did you know that only about 20% of all hires are made through job boards? This is a surprisingly small percentage. And yet, most job seekers spend the majority of their time there, droning over listing and looking for that right opportunity. They are applying the 80/20 formula backwards! Spending 80% of their time on activities that give only 20% of results. Job boards CAN be useful… If you know how to use them properly. Which is exactly the purpose of today’s episode: Discover HOW to use job boards effectively so you can free up your time and use it to grow your network instead!

Episode 18 - 3 Easy Ways to Connect with your Network When You Don't Need It

Does this describe you? a) You lunch at your desk every day and you’re always busy working. b) You never stop to do small talk with your colleagues. c) You talk to the same 5 to 6 people at work every day. If you find yourself doing any of the above… you are NOT connecting with your network as you should! I see people do this all the time. And when they need to call somebody asking for a favor, they feel awkward… because they never reached out before! Here’s the thing: Connecting with your network is extremely important to always keep it primed. It’s like putting money in the bank so you can withdraw (with interests!) when you need it most. In today’s episode you’re going to find out three easy ways to connect with your network - in a truly genuine way!

Episode 19 - Attending Conferences: The Before Prep and Follow Up After

Attending conferences helps you stay on the forefront of your industry... and it’s the best place to meet people who can help you move forward in your field. In today’s podcast you’re going to find out what you should do BEFORE you attend any event and the best way to follow up with anyone you meet. Applying what you hear today will enable you to genuinely nurture your network and keep it primed for when you need it most.

Episode 20 - Maximizing Business Travel to Nurture Your Network

Everyone needs to go on a business trip once in awhile. Most people’s focus is solely on getting the work done, and have no idea how to leverage these trips for nurturing and expanding their networks. Today’s episode will show how to do just that: Growing your network while you’re traveling, make meaningful connections with people in your industry and make sure you're always in demand!

Episode 21 - 2 Ways to Network at Conferences When You Cannot Attend

Most executives and professionals think it’s a lost opportunity if they cannot attend a conference in person. But that’s a mistake. Of course, attending in person is always the best option.. but there’s so much you can gain from an event even if you can’t be there! And today’s podcast will show you how to do network from your office or your home. Let’s face it, opportunities lay everywhere. You just need to be creative and figure out a way how to make the most of a situation.

Episode 22 - Fun Stuff to Do When You Are Not Working

Today’s topic is a little different than what we've been discussing so far. In this episode, I’m going to help you create a list of "Fun things to do when you are NOT working!" Why is this important? Because it helps you stay positive. You see, when you are not working, it’s easy to slip into a funk or become depressed. Especially when everyone else in your house is off to school or work. When I found myself unexpectedly unemployed in March 2009, this list helped me stay sane and focused. It literally saved me! So don’t take this topic too lightly. Listen to today’s podcast and discover the things I have on my list. Plus, get additional suggestions that may spark new ideas for you!

Episode 23 - Setting Up Your "Crush The Interview" Mindset

This episode is all about how best to prepare - mentally - for your next job interview. Specifically, you’ll learn how to get ready for all those terrifying questions that make your heart race and knees shake. The ones you always hope nobody asks. By the end of this show, you’re going to be one step closer to having the right mindset that can crush even the hardest of interviews and get the job offer you’re after.

Episode 24 - Crafting STAR and CAR Stories to Crush the Interview

We talk about STAR and CAR interview methods today.

You’ll discover the best way you can use them to help you prepare for any kind of interview you’ll have in the future.

And by the end of the episode you’ll understand why these two tactics alone can help you become so confident… You can literally turn into a job offer magnet!

Episode 25 - 3 Specific Cultural Fit Interview Questions to Prepare to Answer

Today you’ll learn three most common questions (and how to answer them properly!) hiring managers use when they want to determine if you’re a good cultural fit for their company. This is the same list of questions we use to prepare our high achieving clients for their job interviews. And by the end of it, you’ll know exactly how to prepare your answers so you become a job offer magnet!

Episode 26 - Creating an Elevator Pitch to Grab Your Listener's Attention

If you have a career of any kind you have probably used an Elevator Pitch before. Sometimes, a great elevator pitch could literally mean a new career opportunity for you. And if you feel your pitch doesn’t sound natural and personal enough, or you never know quite what to say then today’s episode is a must-listen! We’re going to address 7 steps that will help you craft a pitch you can use for any formal or informal event you attend. BBQs, conferences, job fairs, networking events, cocktail parties, community gatherings - you name it. Everywhere you go, you’ll know exactly how to answer that dreaded question, “So, what do you do?” with confidence!

Episode 27 - 4 Tactics to Nail the "Tell me about yourself" Question

There’s one interview question candidates fear the most, and that is the elusive “So, tell me about yourself..."

It doesn’t matter how far up the ladder you’ve climbed, everyone hates it, but the way you react to it and the answer you give can be extremely telling of your ability for an executive role.

Today’s episode will show you how best to prepare in advance so you avoid all potential land mines and bring your A-game to the challenge.

Episode 28 - Effectively Handling the Overqualified Interview Question

“Don’t you think you are overqualified for this job?”

How many times have this happened to you: You thought the interviews was going great, you’ve been asked to come back for a second or third interview and then, all of a sudden, the question pops up. Can’t they see it from your resume?

Why do they need to ask you when your credentials are right in front of them and, they’ve asked you to come back? But here’s the thing. There’s a reason why a hiring manager asks you if you think you’re over qualified. And the way you answer it might literally mean the difference between you getting that job or not.

On today’s podcast we’re going to talk about how to effectively handle the “Aren’t you overqualified?” interview question in five different ways so you can move on to the next phase and nail that the interview!

Episode 29 - Acing an Interview with an Inexperienced Interviewer

As you progress through your career you will come across some hiring managers that are inexperienced in conducting interviews. However, even if the person evaluating you has never done this before, you still need to win them over. You need to show that you’re the right candidate for the job so you get to the next stage in the process. In today’s podcast you’ll discover some strategies how to deal with an inexperienced interviewer successfully.

Episode 30 - Nailing the Phone Interview to Get the Next Interview

Interviewing over the phone is a skill set that needs to be mastered like anything else. And for this reason, our entire show today is dedicated to this topic. Executive phone interviews are very different from an in-person or video interview. They pose special challenges you need to be aware of. And when the job position you want is on the line, you need to know how to make the right impression.

Episode 31 - Making the Best Impression During Video/Skype Interviews

If you think Skype is the future, you’re wrong. This is already happening. It is the present. And being able to interview successfully over Skype and video is a skill you need to master to stay ahead of your competition. Today’s podcast will give you 10 successful video interviewing tips that can help you impress every hiring manager you talk to. By the end of it you’ll have a solid start to edge out your competition and be the candidate that gets to the next level!

Episode 32 - Effective Interview Follow Up Strategies to Get The Offer

Imagine this: You get your resume into the right hands. You get to interview with key decision makers from the company of your dreams. You prepare well, you do the interview, and you nail it. Mission accomplished, right? Wrong! Savvy executives know that the interviewing process continues well after the actual interview is over. It all comes down to how well you do the follow-up. On today’s podcast we are going to discuss the most effective strategies for your follow-up that can help you get the offer and position you as the only choice!

Episode 33 - Answering the Salary Question to Get What You Deserve

Have you ever been thrown off balance when you were asked, “What kind of salary are you looking for...” and you didn’t know how to answer? Being able to react (and answer!) the salary question professionally is yet another way to make a strong impression and convey your value and your confidence in your abilities. That’s why it’s important to know how to answer it properly. On today’s podcast we are going to discuss how to answer the salary question well so you always get what you deserve.

Episode 34 - The One Bold Salary Negotiating Tactic Only High-Achievers Can Use

Many popular job search coaches give you the same advice: “Hold out and never say your salary expectations when asked!” But here’s the thing. This works in an ideal world and the reality is usually very different. If you don’t openly disclose your salary range you risk to not move on with the interview process. But there’s a way around that. And that’s what we’re going to discuss on the podcast today! You’ll learn how to get past the recruiter who won’t move you forward without stating a range first. And you’ll discover one bold salary negotiating tactic only audacious high achievers can use.

Episode 35 - How to Negotiate an Above-Average Pay Raise and Maximize your Salary

Studies show that the average salary increase hovers at around a measly 3% raise. Understanding how to ask for a raise and being able to negotiate a salary increase is a professional skill everyone needs to master. There are many things you can do ahead of time to increase your odds to landing that increase you want. And by following the negotiation tactics I present you on today’s podcast, you can maximize your chances to get a staggering 5-20% pay raise regularly.

Episode 36 - The ABC's of Executive Job Security

There is a common misconception about what executive job security really means. Most people think that in order to have job security you need to stay with a company for 20+ years, but nothing can be further from the truth. On today’s podcast we’re going to discuss the ABCs of executive job security and you’ll learn how to achieve it even in today’s tumultuous economic climate.

Episode 37 - 8 Moves High Performing Exec's Do to Protect Their Career

Most people think their biggest asset is their home or investments. But the truth is, the biggest asset you have is your career. Most likely, your career will generate you the largest income over your lifetime. No property or investment can ever match that. And if you manage your career properly, you can maximize raises, bonuses and perks for each new role you land. On today’s podcast we’re going to list the 8 moves high performing executives do to protect their career in a merger or acquisition. This list will help you remain proactive so you can stay ahead without headaches no matter what happens.

Episode 38 - 5 Ways to Create 9 Hours of Job Search Time Per Week

Two of the most common questions I hear job seekers ask are: “How am I supposed to look for a job, when I am employed?” or, “Finding a job is a full-time job…and I already have a job. How am I supposed to do this?" And I get it. It is a perplexing dilemma in today’s world of over scheduling, multitasking and uber-achievement. But if you want to stay on the top of your game you have to find that time. That’s why, on today’s podcast you’re going to learn 5 simple ways to find at least 9 hours of job search time PER WEEK.

Episode 39 - How to Self-Promote With Grace

Most executives and professionals are uncomfortable tooting their own horn at work. They don’t want to brag or don’t want coworkers to think they’re putting others down by promoting themselves. But the simple truth is, you DO need to self promote if you want to stay relevant for new opportunities. In today’s episode you’re going to learn 7 ways to do self promotion right. This way, when opportunities come along you’ll be on the radar.

Episode 40 - 37 Ways Successful Professionals Promote Themselves

Most executives and professionals are uncomfortable promoting themselves and tooting their own horn at work. The biggest worry is to be seen as aggressive attention seeker or have their coworkers think they’re putting others down to get ahead. But here’s the thing: You SHOULD promote yourself if you want to stay visible and be on the radar when bigger opportunities come your way. You just need to do it the right way. Today you’re going to find out 37 ways you can use to promote yourself to prospective employers and the consumer marketplace WITHOUT the need for bragging or becoming obnoxious.

Episode 41 - Is Curiousity the New C-Suite Superpower?

At the top of the skill set for any C-Suite position is recognizing and navigating change. A required quality that enables you to do that successfully is strategic, curious thinking, and this can only come from a healthy sense of curiosity. That’s why, on today’s podcast we’re going to discuss why curiosity is the next c-suite driver, how to get more curious, and how to market this trait to get recognized.

Episode 42 - 6 Steps to Move into an Executive (C-Suite) Role

Most executives and professionals are uncomfortable promoting themselves and tooting their own horn at work. The biggest worry is to be seen as aggressive attention seeker or have their coworkers think they’re putting others down to get ahead. But here’s the thing: You SHOULD promote yourself if you want to stay visible and be on the radar when bigger opportunities come your way. You just need to do it the right way. Today you’re going to find out 37 ways you can use to promote yourself to prospective employers and the consumer marketplace WITHOUT the need for bragging or becoming obnoxious.

Episode 43 - 10 Tactics to Increase your Opportunity to Get Promoted

One of the most important things when it comes to your career is to make sure you DON’T get overlooked when it’s time for a promotion. That’s why, on today’s show we’re going to list 10 tactics you can do to increase your chances. They will help you showcase your leadership qualities, your strong initiative, and they’ll put you on a path to accelerate your career faster.

Episode 44 - 3 Psychological Hacks to Give you An Upper Hand When Asking For a Promotion

I always have to be careful when discussing the topic of using psychology in negotiations. People sometimes get the wrong idea that we want to maliciously manipulate people to get what we want. That’s not how it works, especially at this level. In this episode, I’ll show you 3 ways you can use psychology to ease anxiety and foster collaboration, creating an environment where your case for a raise is likely to be favorably heard and accepted.

Episode 45 - How to Find and Stay Ahead of Trends to Remain Employable

I’ve met very few people who like working two full-time jobs. But with the constant stream of information, that’s exactly what it can feel like if you want to stay ahead of what’s happening in your field. So, realistically, how does one find and stay ahead of trends without sacrificing too much time with family and friends, or without feeling like it’s hustle 24/7?

Glad you asked! Today, I’m going to share with you some streamlined ways to be sure you stand out and are noticeable to the players in your industry so you’ll always be in demand.

Episode 46 - Cleaning Up & Polishing Your Online Image

Let’s face it: Everybody Googles everybody these days.

And the same is true for recruiters and employers. You have to expect that, at some point, they WILL Google your name and check your social media profiles.

The important question is, what will they see when they look you up?

On today’s podcast we’re going to cover how to clean up and polish your online image so you always look like the in-demand executive or rising professional that you are.

Episode 47 - Performance Appraisal Time? How to Position Yourself to Shine

Some call it Performance Review, others call it Employee Performance Evaluation or Self-Assessment. But no matter what you call it, that time of year to evaluate your performance has arrived. And no need to dread or avoid it because this can be an excellent opportunity to capitalize on for your career. On today’s podcast we’re going to go in depth on how to use Performance Appraisal time as an opportunity to make yourself shine.

Episode 48 - Tangible Steps to Take When You Get the Vibe Your Boss Wants You OUT!

This episode is a dagger in most listeners’ hearts as it’s about a subject that we don’t really like to think about: When you get the feeling your boss wants to fire you. The possibility of getting fired is not a pleasant thought (and is definitely not a pleasant experience), but how you handle this situation will say a lot about the kind of person you are and can even work out in your better favor. So even though this is not something you may want to think about, it’s in your best interest to be well prepared.

Episode 49 - Word at The Water Cooler is The Boss is About to be Fired… Should You Worry?

Similar to last week’s show, there’s a growing vibe that someone’s about to be fired.

Who’s getting fired?

In this scenario, it’s your boss. No big deal for you, right?

Uhhh ... no. If you play this wrong it could mean you’re also making the brown box walk of shame. And even if you play all the cards right you might need or want to make a change. You have to ask yourself what’s at stake? Here are five things you can do to protect your own job.

Episode 50 - Eight Ways to Protect Yourself and Be Ready When You Sense Large-Scale Layoffs

here’s definitely been a running theme these past few episodes. By now I hope you’re catching on that nuanced situations with potential to alter your career path can happen at any moment. Even in this period of booming job creation and economic growth environment, many companies face down-turns and cut-backs.

If you’re a longtime listener, or even if you’ve listened to just a few episodes, you probably already know that the core of all of this is to be prepared and to be proactive so that in the event you need to make a change you know how to navigate that process with grace, dignity and foresight. Let’s look at how to do that in a layoff situation.

Episode 51 - Break Free From Being Stuck in Your Job Search

Today’s show is about something so many people face when undertaking a job search, especially when they are unprepared. You might think, “Well, Lisa, that’s not me. I’ve listened to and followed all of your podcasts.” First, great! You are going to be so much further ahead, all things considered. Second, you’re not out of the woods with the problem we’re going to talk about today, which is getting stuck in your job search. But listen and I’ll tell you how to get unstuck. There are four tell-tale indicators I see from people all the time that they are stuck in job search purgatory.

Episode 52 - How to Economy-Proof Your Career So You’re In Demand In Any Market

In this final episode, I want to talk about something that seems to be on a lot of minds these days. Uncertainty. In today’s political and financial economic climate, there is a lot of uncertainty that can affect your job and future opportunities. So I’d like to leave you with some things you can do to economy-proof your career.

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About Lisa

Lisa Rangel and The Chameleon Team are the only executive resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and job landing consultancy who has been hired by LinkedIn and recognized by Forbes. Our 4-Stage META Job Landing System stems from decades of corporate and executive recruiting experience to position you to land your next 6 or 7-figure role faster.

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