Claim OwnershipThe Career Report
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© Tim Madden 2024
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The Career Report is your weekly update on what’s happening in the job market — from hiring trends and layoffs to new workplace innovations shaping how we work and lead.
Hosted by the team at Executive Career Upgrades, this show delivers quick, insightful episodes that break down the headlines and stories impacting your career right now.
Each week, you’ll get real-world commentary, expert interviews, and actionable insights designed to help professionals and executives stay ahead in a constantly changing market.
If it affects your career, you’ll hear it here first.
231 Episodes
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In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina talk through a situation more professionals are facing than they expected: being employed, actively exploring new opportunities, and suddenly receiving an offer sooner than planned.They break down what the professional move actually looks like in these moments—how to think about notice periods, how to manage conversations with both your current employer and a potential new one, and how to avoid burning bridges when timing feels uncomfortable.The conversation also touches on the growing misconception that AI will solve timing, communication, or career decision challenges on its own. While tools can help, Tim and Kristina explain why judgment, preparation, and strategy still matter far more than automation.If you’re navigating a job search while employed, or wondering how to handle an unexpected offer without creating long-term consequences, this episode offers practical perspective and grounded advice.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina Madden break down the idea of strategic volume and why it’s becoming one of the most important concepts in job searches heading into 2026.As hiring processes evolve and competition increases, many professionals default to doing more—more applications, more outreach, more activity—assuming volume alone will create results. Tim and Kristina explain why that approach is increasingly ineffective, and how unintentional volume often creates noise instead of momentum.They discuss how strategic volume differs from mass applying, how leaders and recruiters actually respond to outreach, and why fewer, better-targeted actions tend to outperform high-effort scattershot searches. The conversation focuses on clarity, positioning, and knowing where to apply pressure rather than exhausting yourself everywhere at once.If you’re planning your job search for 2026 and want to avoid burnout while improving results, this episode offers a clear framework for doing less, smarter, and more intentionally.
Every January, professionals flood their calendars with new goals, ambitious targets, and aggressive timelines. And every year, most of them quietly abandon those plans weeks later.In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina Madden challenge the idea that success comes from doing more, faster. Instead, they break down why overloading yourself with goals often backfires and how incremental progress creates momentum that actually sticks.This conversation is about clarity over chaos. It’s about choosing fewer, smarter priorities. And it’s about building forward motion in a way that fits real careers, real workloads, and real life, not motivational posters or New Year hype.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own goals or frustrated that you can’t keep up with them, this episode will help you rethink how you set direction and make progress without burning out.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina talk about why this quiet week before the new year matters more than most people realize. While many professionals are waiting for January to take action, hiring leaders are already moving, conversations are already happening, and momentum is quietly building.They break down what happens to careers that stay on pause, why waiting can create unnecessary pressure once the market picks up, and how small, intentional actions right now can make a meaningful difference in how you start the year. This isn’t about panic or rushing. It’s about awareness, positioning, and not getting caught off guard when things accelerate.If you’re feeling like you’ll “get serious” once the new year starts, this episode offers a timely perspective on why now is often the better moment to prepare.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina talk about why reflection matters before you jump into setting new PPF goals. It’s easy to rush into planning the next year without taking a moment to look back, but skipping that step often means missing what actually worked.They walk through how to review the past year honestly, how to recognize wins that are easy to overlook, and how to carry lessons forward without beating yourself up over what didn’t go as planned. This conversation is about clarity, momentum, and setting yourself up for a stronger year ahead, not just creating another list of goals.If you’re wrapping up the year and thinking about what’s next, this episode will help you slow down just enough to move forward with intention.
In this episode of The Career Report, I break down why your job title matters far less than you think when it comes to getting hired. Too many professionals get stuck chasing the “right” title instead of focusing on what actually moves the needle in interviews and executive searches.We talk about how hiring managers really evaluate candidates, what recruiters look for beyond titles, and how relying on a title alone can quietly hold your career back. If you’ve ever wondered why strong experience isn’t translating into interviews or offers, this episode will help you rethink how you position yourself and your value.This is especially relevant for directors, VPs, and senior professionals navigating a competitive market where perception, clarity, and impact matter more than labels.
In this episode, hosts Tim and Kristina Madden debunk the common myth that current hiring delays are a byproduct of "the market," instead pointing the finger at the internal corporate paralysis and "hiring by committee" culture plaguing modern organizations. They pull back the curtain on why 90-day interview cycles and endless rounds of vetting have become the new norm, explaining that these bottlenecks are driven by leadership's fear of making the "wrong" hire rather than external economic shifts. By breaking down the mechanics of this bureaucratic inertia, Tim and Kristina empower job seekers to stop internalizing the wait and provide actionable strategies to navigate the "black hole" of the modern application process with their confidence and leverage intact.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina unpack the growing hesitation they’re seeing across the job market and within careers at every level. They discuss why so many professionals are choosing to stay put, how uncertainty is influencing decision-making, and where caution can quietly turn into stagnation. Together, they explore how to evaluate risk, build confidence, and make intentional career moves even when the market feels unpredictable. If you’ve been stuck between staying and going, this conversation offers clarity and perspective to help you move forward with purpose.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim breaks down what it means to see the lowest quit rate since spring of 2020, and why that shift matters in today’s job market. He unpacks what’s driving professionals to stay in place, how uncertainty is influencing career decisions, and what this trend signals for leaders thinking about their next move. If you’re weighing a job change, feeling cautious about making a move, or trying to understand where the market is heading, this episode offers timely insight and practical perspective.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina Madden break down the latest shifts in the job market and why right now is one of the strongest moments we’ve seen in months for high-level candidates. With job openings hitting new highs, companies are actively moving to secure talent before the new year... creating more interviews, faster timelines, and wider opportunities for Directors, VPs, and Executives who stay engaged.Tim and Kristina unpack what’s driving this surge, which industries are accelerating, and how you can position yourself to stand out while the market is moving in your favor. If you’ve been thinking about starting or restarting your search, this episode makes it clear: now is the time to take action.
In this episode, Tim and Kristina Madden break down a common mistake even high-level professionals make during a job search: looking desperate online. Whether it’s posting too often about needing a job, sharing inconsistent messaging, or reaching out to hiring managers in ways that feel frantic rather than confident, these signals can quietly push opportunities away even when you’re highly qualified.Tim and Kristina explain what desperation looks like from a recruiter’s or executive’s perspective, how it impacts your brand, and why maintaining a strong, composed online presence is essential for Director, VP, and Executive-level searches. They also share practical tips for staying visible, strategic, and credible without crossing into “I need a job right now” territory.If you want your online presence to open doors instead of close them, this conversation will show you how to communicate your value with confidence and impact.
In this episode of The Career Report, Kristina Madden digs into how an identity shift can be the key to finally getting unstuck. She breaks down why so many people feel anxious heading into a new week especially on Sundays, and how that stress often comes from holding onto an old version of yourself. Kristina shares practical ways to redefine who you see yourself as, interrupt unhelpful patterns, and step into a mindset that supports your goals instead of limiting them. If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or dreading the week before it even starts, this conversation will help you create the shift you need to move forward with more clarity and confidence.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina Madden dive into what they call “The Great Leadership Reset”. A shift happening across teams, industries, and the job market as expectations for leaders rise and the tolerance for being merely “average” disappears. They break down what it actually means to outperform the norm, why so many leaders get stuck in outdated habits, and how to reset your mindset so you can lead with intention, ownership, and real influence. If you’ve been feeling the pressure to elevate your performance or redefine how you show up at work, this conversation will help you see what “beating average” truly looks like in today’s world.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina Madden dive into what they call “The Great Leadership Reset”. A shift happening across teams, industries, and the job market as expectations for leaders rise and the tolerance for being merely “average” disappears. They break down what it actually means to outperform the norm, why so many leaders get stuck in outdated habits, and how to reset your mindset so you can lead with intention, ownership, and real influence. If you’ve been feeling the pressure to elevate your performance or redefine how you show up at work, this conversation will help you see what “beating average” truly looks like in today’s world.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim walks through the essential groundwork executives need to complete before they start a job search. Most people jump straight into applications and miss the foundational steps that actually determine whether they’ll get interviews, stand out to decision-makers, and negotiate strong offers. Tim breaks down what to focus on first, how to get clear on your direction, and why preparation matters more than ever in today’s market. If you want your next search to be intentional (and not another stressful grind) this episode will point you in the right direction.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina dive into what it really looks like to embrace your challenges especially during a hectic holiday season. They talk about staying present, appreciating what you have, and shifting your mindset when life feels overwhelming or uncertain. They also open the floor to the audience and answer questions on career, leadership, and personal growth. If you’re navigating a tough season or trying to refocus before the new year, this conversation will give you clarity, perspective, and a sense of momentum moving forward.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim & Kristina Madden explain why waiting until January 1st to set career goals puts you behind before the new year even begins. They break down how top performers use December to get clear on what they want, sharpen their strategy, and position themselves for a strong start long before everyone else begins their “new year, new me” reset.You’ll learn why goal-setting during the holiday season creates momentum, how early planning impacts job search success, and what small steps you can take right now to make January a launchpad instead of a starting line.If you’re serious about landing a new role or leveling up your career in 2026, this episode will help you use December intentionally and get ahead of the crowd.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim Madden shares a perspective most people overlook during Black Friday: the best investment you can make isn’t in a TV, gadget, or holiday sale — it’s in your career. While millions of people rush to buy things that lose value by next year, Tim explains why investing in your skills, your growth, and your earning potential delivers a return no discount can match.He breaks down the simple math behind career ROI, why leveling up your brand or interview strategy can lead to life-changing opportunities, and how small decisions made during the holiday season can shape your career trajectory going into 2026.If you want a reminder to focus on what actually pays you back, this short episode will give you the clarity and motivation to invest in yourself.
The holidays might feel like downtime, but here's what's really happening: companies are finalizing 2025 budgets, approving new headcount, and identifying who they want to bring on board when January hits. While everyone else is checking out early and promising to "restart in the new year," decision-makers are still working, still networking, and still having conversations about who should fill critical roles. If you disappear now, you're invisible when it matters mos.But if you stay engaged, send thoughtful messages, keep your LinkedIn active, and maintain your outreach, you'll be the name that comes up first when hiring kicks into full gear in Q1. The executives who land offers in January didn't start their search in January. They stayed visible in December while everyone else went quiet.
In this episode of The Career Report, Tim Madden breaks down a hiring trend most job seekers don’t realize is happening right now. As teams prepare for Thanksgiving and the end-of-year slowdown, many hiring managers are pushing to fill open roles before the holiday so they can head into the break with their team locked in and their budgets aligned.Tim explains why this pre-Thanksgiving window creates a burst of momentum for candidates who take action, how decision-makers think during this time, and what you can do in the next few days to get on a hiring manager’s calendar before everyone disappears for family time.If you’re in the middle of a search, this episode shows you why now is one of the best moments to make your move, and how to take advantage of it.
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The podcast is good, but a lot of it depends on some internal confidence, I guess, about how good of a specialist you are and whether your salary really matches your workload, responsibilities, etc. Besides this podcast, I’d also recommend checking out these tips https://www.checkasalary.co.uk/blog/top-strategies-for-negotiating-a-higher-salary-in-your-industry , if you're close to having a conversation about a salary increase. The topic is good because a lot of specialists don’t ask for a salary raise even when it's justified, hoping that the boss will notice and bring it up themselves.