The Career Confidante

Welcome to another episode of Monday Career Confidante! Today’s conversation dives deep into the world of neurodiversity in the job search, with a special focus on resumes, interview preparation, and career coaching for individuals on the autism spectrum or with ADHD. Host Marie Zimenoff sits down with Melissa Kelly, an accomplished resume writer and career coach, who shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life, and how those experiences have shaped her unique approach to helping neurodivergent clients succeed in their careers. Melissa talks candidly about the challenges she faced in school and the workforce, from social struggles and misunderstandings to navigating workplace dynamics. Now, she leverages her background to break down barriers, provide practical strategies, and offer structured, empathetic support to others facing similar hurdles. Whether you’re a job seeker, a career professional, or just curious about the neurodiverse experience in the modern workforce, this episode is packed with actionable advice, personal stories, and insights on creating environments where everyone can thrive. Tune in and discover how small shifts in process, empathy, and structure can make a big difference for neurodivergent professionals—and why Melissa believes these adjustments can benefit us all.

Interviews don’t always go as planned, and job seekers often face unexpected questions, curveballs, or even technical difficulties that can throw them off track. In this episode of The Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff welcomes Kathleen Dohoney, a career management specialist and former corporate recruiter advisor with deep expertise in job search strategy, interview coaching, and career transitions. Listen in as Kathleen shares expert strategies to help career professionals coach their clients through unpredictable interview moments. Learn how to prepare beyond the script, develop adaptability, and turn challenges into opportunities. Discover actionable techniques for maintaining composure under pressure, responding to difficult questions with poise, and recovering from unexpected twists without losing momentum. As a Certified Interview and Compensation Negotiation Coach, Resume Writer, Transition Coach, Digital Brand Coach, and Career Strategist, Kathleen brings a wealth of insights to the table. Whether it’s handling an off-topic question, managing a high-pressure panel interview, or regaining control after a misstep, this episode will equip you with the tools to guide your clients to interview success—no matter what surprises come their way. Don’t miss this valuable discussion that will enhance your coaching skills and help your clients shine in any interview scenario!

Recent data show that almost half of jobs are subject to automation in some form. Can you insulate yourself from potential upheaval in the job market resulting from the change that may be coming, or has already come, to your industry? In light of these changes, what steps might you take to prepare yourself for your next career move? In this episode of The Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff offers advice on thinking creatively about presenting yourself to prospective employers, with the goal that you differentiate yourself from the competition. She will describe the Blue Ocean strategy and 12 basic identities, or brand archetypes, to stimulate your thinking about how you can add unique value to an employer. If you are struggling with how to stand out in a competitive field, tune in to learn more about how you can assess your value in the marketplace.

In the wake of massive corporate layoffs and rising burnout rates, standing strong and navigating through these challenges is critical for both job seekers and employers. In this episode of The Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff is joined by leadership and executive coach Jessica Hill Holm. Listen in to discover key warning signs of corporate burnout and how to recognize them before they escalate. Jessica sheds light on strategies companies and leaders can employ to effectively address and reduce burnout within their teams. How does one strike a balance between demanding corporate roles and personal well-being? Get insights into work-life integration and mitigating burnout in high-stress job situations. In an era where layoffs can be just around the corner, preparation is vital. Learn actionable steps both employers and employees can take to brace themselves for potential layoffs. Understand the importance of upskilling and adapting to an ever-evolving job market. Finally, Jessica underscores the need for transparent, compassionate communication when it comes to the delicate matter of layoffs. Don't miss this episode to equip yourself with strategies and knowledge to face these challenges head-on.

The economy is uncertain and job openings have slowed, leaving more people feeling stuck in their job right now. Although you may not be able to make a career move, you can take control over your career direction. In this episode of Career Confidante Radio, host Marie Zimenoff welcomes Kayvan Kian – entrepreneur, teacher, and management consultant at McKinsey & Company in Amsterdam. Together they explore strategies for hitting the pause button on overwhelm, hidden sources of stress, how to control the meaning of daily tasks, and how to improve things we don’t particularly enjoy. Kayvan will share tools for dealing with negative feedback after a job interview that did not go well, finding meaningful work, and a more nuanced approach to using our strengths. If you are ready for practical tips to make it a great year, listen in!

On average, we are changing jobs every 3–5 years and changing careers up to 7 times in our lifetime. Reinventing our career is challenging and can leave us feeling lost, not sure of our professional identity. Building a personal brand can help ease the pain of reinvention by reminding you of your authentic self. The process of personal branding helps you identify those core pieces of yourself that you want to express and use in the world, and how to frame them in a way that is relevant to your audience. In this episode of The Career Confidante, Susan Chritton, master personal brand strategist, will join host Marie Zimenoff to discuss how you can reinvent your career. If you are looking to make a career transition and keep your sanity at the same time, listen in!

The number of applications is up for nearly every job opening. Ageism persists despite an aging workforce. Listen in as we outline how these trends impact your job search and what you can do to succeed in today's job market.

Is one version of a resume enough for your job search? What can you do online to attract employers? In today’s technology-heavy environment, how do you tailor a resume and communicate your personal brand in a variety of situations while still aligning with your online brand and one LinkedIn profile? In this episode of The Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff will summarize insights from top presentations at an industry conference. She covers the latest in resumes, LinkedIn profiles, networking, and branding for today’s job market, including the gig economy as more people work as independent contractors and entrepreneurs. Listen in for tips to keep your personal presentation fresh.

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes for each open position today. How do you make your resume stand out? In this episode of Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff interviews guest Amelia Brooke on the power of storytelling in resumes (or CVs where Amelia's located in the UK) and LinkedIn profiles. Amelia shares her journey from working in manufacturing to becoming a recruiter and now a career coach and writer. Marie and Amelia discuss the importance of storytelling in resumes and how it can differentiate you from your peers in today's competitive job market. They also delve into the art of prioritizing stories to make sure your message resonates instantly with the recruiter and hiring manager. Listen in to uncover the secrets to using storytelling to transform your career documents and stand out from the crowd, even if you're making a career transition.

When people think about career growth or starting their own companies, they’ve probably heard that being passionate about the business is a prerequisite for success. Join host Marie Zimenoff on Career Confidante radio as she welcomes Christopher Volk, an accomplished entrepreneur, millionaire investor, and author of THE VALUE EQUATION. Explore the importance of identifying your strengths and the crucial question to ask before choosing a business focus or career path. Take a deep dive into the relationship between passion and success, uncovering a twist in the journey toward finding a reliable path to job satisfaction or entrepreneurship success. Don't miss this enlightening episode with Christopher Volk on Career Confidante radio.

Do you cringe when you hear the word “networking”? For many people it can feel like an ingenuine process of making connections based on our needs or desires. And, having been on the receiving end of those interactions at least once, we know we do not want to use that approach. In this episode of the Career Confidante, host Marie Zimenoff welcomes Berta Medina, a speaker and coach. Berta teaches listeners tools for genuine networking and how to ignite interest. With a unique, heart-focused process, she shows how you can acquire prospects to build your business, keep loyal customers, create brand ambassadors, advance your career, or speed up your job search with the power of networking.

Listen in to understand how the use of social media has shifted for sourcing candidates - how recruiters look for active and passive candidates to hire for their open roles. We'll also discuss what this means for your job search and how to use social media more proactively in your search to uncover and connect with people in your target industries. If you have been struggling to find work or that perfect fit, listen in!

LinkedIn promotes that it is the best place for professional networking and a leader in business lead generation. So why aren't you getting the results you want? Discover how to navigate LinkedIn pitfalls and maximize your professional potential. On this episode of Career Confidante radio, host Marie Zimenoff welcomes personal branding strategist and LinkedIn expert Nelson Emilio. Nelson shares invaluable insights on common blunders hindering career growth and offers practical strategies for success. Whether you're a small business owner looking for leads, a coach seeking to enhance client outcomes, or a job seeker aiming for career advancement, this episode equips you with the tools to propel your journey forward. Don't miss out on this transformative discussion! If you are a LinkedIn profile writer or career coach, join Resume Writing Academy for an in-depth session to take your clients' profiles from generic to genius: https://rwa.training/linkedingenius