The Talent Trade

The Talent Trade is all about finding the right person, for the right opportunity, at the right time. But how exactly do you do that the "right" way? Executive Search Partner and Top Biller Stephanie Maas shares more than 25 years of experience about what it takes to be a top recruiter in today's "talent trade" market, using ThinkingAhead’s four-prong system focused on recruiting, business development, planning, and managing your mindset. It’s real, honest information about how to build your desk, perfect your niche, and stand out among the crowd in your search career. Southwestern/Great American, Inc., dba Southwestern Family of Companies, for itself and its related entities and their assigns, reserves and retains all rights to their copyrighted materials and trademarks contained in this podcast.

Talent Trade Tidbit - Change = Opportunity

Change is inevitable. But whether you're a client or a candidate, change doesn't have to mean doom. In fact, it rarely does. Here are a few good reasons why you should embrace it...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

04-10
04:08

Fail Faster

ThinkingAhead Recruiting Partner and Legal Practice Manager Brian Vogt dives into the psychology of recruiting, leads Stephanie in a couple of roleplays, considers what it might be like talking to your future boss, and explains how quicker failure leads to quicker success.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

04-03
11:51

Talent Trade Tidbit - Training Is No Longer a Luxury

Listen up leaders: training is no longer optional. Why is training more critical now than ever? Glad you asked...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

03-27
03:02

Talent Trade Tidbit - Foundations of Success

Learn the 3 (maybe 4) simple steps you can adopt to lay strong foundations for success in your business.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

03-20
01:50

Playing Head Games

Chris Gray, Partner in the Energy & Renewables practice at ThinkingAhead Executive Search, shares his unlikely journey from music to search, the 5 mental categories to consider to stay in the right headspace, how to keep building momentum, and why tuning out reality is sometimes necessary.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

03-13
16:07

Talent Trade Tidbit - Are We Real?

Find out how ThinkingAhead's unique approach to search seemingly has one client questioning reality itself.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

03-06
03:30

Talent Trade Tidbit - Why Do People Leave?

Why do people leave a job? Statistically, it's NOT money. Ok, so what IS it? Find out what the factors are, and if you as a leader could be one of them.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

02-27
04:27

Talent Trade Tidbit - Grape In The Middle

Stephanie helps you overcome "analysis paralysis" with advice from, among other things, the timeless wisdom of Karate Kid...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

02-20
02:36

Talent Trade Tidbit - Counter Offers

It's a nightmare subject for a lot of recruiters and candidates alike. But when IS the right time to make a counter offer? And are you sure your reasons for making one are the right reasons?Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

02-13
07:14

Let's Get There Together

Derek Schlender, National SBA Executive Recruiter with ThinkingAhead Executive Search, joins the program to share the MPC approach to driving business, the fastest way to find your niche in the market, the MOST important question when marketing talent, and how to avoid throwing spaghetti on the wall.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

02-06
21:22

Talent Trade Tidbit - Title: What's In a Name?

How important is your job title, REALLY? The answer could be not a bit, or quite a lot, depending on who's looking. Tune in to learn when you shouldn't be bothered about a title, and conversely, when to get righteously indignant over it. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

01-30
05:06

Talent Trade Tidbit - Start Strong

How do you get your year off to a strong start? What's the difference between a goal and a dream? Stephanie explains...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

01-23
01:48

Talent Trade Tidbit - Bonus Season

Bonus season can really get the mental gears turning for a lot of people, both on the hiring side, and those in the job roles. But the money itself is rarely why...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

01-16
03:10

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

Were The Clash experts in the recruiting space? Not exactly. But Stephanie Maas addresses the question with some tips on how to evaluate if it's time to exit your current role, and how to make a principle-based decision when doing so.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

01-09
06:17

Talent Trade Tidbit - Hit 2025 Running

Head still spinning from 2024? Too bad. 2025 is here, and it's time to get your head in the game. Here's a tip on a good place to start...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

01-02
02:02

Talent Trade Tidbit - Hangovers in the Workplace

So you had a bit of a good time.  Maybe TOO good.  But now it’s time to get back to work.  But HOW?Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

12-26
02:03

Happy Holidays From The Talent Trade!

Stephanie Maas shares the memories and the gratitude for you (yes, YOU) that keeps her season merry and bright.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

12-19
03:02

Talent Trade Tidbit - Hold Your Horses

Unemployment is low.  Talent is coveted.  Maybe it’s time to jump ship and get back in the market?  Not so fast, buster…Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

12-12
03:13

Roomba Recruiting

Stephanie is joined by Elise Gay, Executive Search Partner specializing in the Legal and Life Sciences division of ThinkingAhead, explaining her "Roomba" process for search, sharing a unique way to exercise, and talking about avoiding the "post and pray" approach to recruiting, why (and how) to always recycle in your work, and the importance of self care and a positive mentality outside of the office.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

12-05
19:34

Giving Thanks, From The Talent Trade

What’s The Talent Trade thankful for this year?  In short…YOU.  Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

11-28
02:09

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