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Southwestern Family of Podcasts
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.
Total 63 episodes
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Talent Trade Tidbit - End of Year Fantasy Island

Talent Trade Tidbit - End of Year Fantasy Island

Yes, the year is nearly over, but don’t take your eye off of the ball.  Instead, might we recommend taking a brief trip to “fantasy island”…Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
04:0421/11/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - When In Doubt, Go Find Out

Talent Trade Tidbit - When In Doubt, Go Find Out

They say that the quickest path is a straight line, and that’s true in conversation as well.  Learn why if you’re at all unsure, whatever your situation, it’s best to just talk it out.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
06:4314/11/2024
Becoming a Legal Eagle

Becoming a Legal Eagle

Stephanie is joined by Jennifer White from ThinkingAhead’s legal recruiting space, who shares the unique challenges and rewards of working with firms, explains retained vs. contingency searches, partners vs. vendors, and more wisdom from her top-producing desk.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
18:0407/11/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Making References Count

Talent Trade Tidbit - Making References Count

Feel like references aren’t adding much to your resume and interview process the way that you’ve been using them?  That’s because you need to try THIS instead.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
01:5231/10/2024
Recruiter Tales - Hans Schlegel

Recruiter Tales - Hans Schlegel

Hans Schlegel, Partner and Sales Recruiter with ThinkingAhead Executive Search, talks about what attracted him to the field of search, and to ThinkingAhead specifically, and shares the story of a particular candidate for whom he was able to make a life-changing impact.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
02:2124/10/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - The Right Way to Resign

Talent Trade Tidbit - The Right Way to Resign

Yes; just because you’ve got one foot out the door already, there’s a right and a wrong way to do it, and this is true from BOTH sides of the desk, both those resigning, and those being resigned from.  Pro Tip: screaming and throwing things is not considered best practices.  Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
05:0217/10/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Time Kills All Deals

Talent Trade Tidbit - Time Kills All Deals

Looking to make a hire?  You can be offering the most attractive deal in the world, but it won’t mean anything if you don’t do it in a timely fashion.  Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:5710/10/2024
Treat Your Humans Like Humans

Treat Your Humans Like Humans

Stephanie is joined by Jessica Gurley, a superstar Exec Recruiter from ThinkingAhead’s Life Sciences division, who dives into using technology to actually further humanize your professional interactions, the hugely important act of repetition, and just in time for Halloween, why so many clients these days are getting ghosted. Ooooo, scary.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
18:3603/10/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - The WORST Interview Question...and A Runner-Up

Talent Trade Tidbit - The WORST Interview Question...and A Runner-Up

Find out the one interview question you should never ask, and probably hate receiving yourself (I'll bet you have an idea of what it is), and some more effective alternatives to use instead.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:4526/09/2024
Recruiter Tales - Heather Campbell

Recruiter Tales - Heather Campbell

Hot off her appearance in last month's episode, Heather Campbell, Partner and Executive Recruiter with ThinkingAhead's Nonprofit team, talks about how the search field ticked off all her career boxes, and how ThinkingAhead in particular provides the perfect environment for growth, both personal and professional.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:2419/09/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Summer is Over...Finish Strong

Talent Trade Tidbit - Summer is Over...Finish Strong

Sadly, summer is over. Put those Hawaiian shirts back in the drawers, and focus up as we begin the mad dash to the end of the year. Learn how to set yourself up for a big finish, as Q4 looms just weeks away.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:4812/09/2024
Overcoming Objection

Overcoming Objection

Objection! Overruled? No, not quite the right tack. Learn the 2 categories of objections you may encounter, the 5 points to being a phenomenal listener, the 3 best times in the process to handle an objection, and how to identify a stop sign vs. a speed bump.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
24:2705/09/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - It's the Little Things That Count

Talent Trade Tidbit - It's the Little Things That Count

The #1 secret to employee retention.  Hint:  It’s not money.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
02:0029/08/2024
Recruiter Tales - Kay Linder

Recruiter Tales - Kay Linder

Hot off her appearance in last month's episode, Kay Linder, Partner with ThinkingAhead's Nonprofit Leadership Search, talks about the interesting first career and skill set that led her into recruiting, how she excels within her area of focus, and what to keep in mind when dealing with candidates in this current market.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
06:0222/08/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - How to NOT Get Picked Up Coming Home From a Work Conference

Talent Trade Tidbit - How to NOT Get Picked Up Coming Home From a Work Conference

Critical advice, should you find yourself in an unenviable travel situation…Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:4515/08/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Find the Pony

Talent Trade Tidbit - Find the Pony

Just a simple story about twins, toys, and a big pile of horse poop.  There’s a lesson, we promise.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
02:0608/08/2024
Perfect Prep

Perfect Prep

Heather Campbell, Nonprofit Partner and Executive Recruiter with ThinkingAhead Executive Search, breaks down her process for prepping and debriefing clients and candidates, including the STAR method, not forgetting to lean into your results, the importance of phoning a friend, and more.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
25:3401/08/2024
Recruiter Tales - Derek Schlender and Trinity Taylor

Recruiter Tales - Derek Schlender and Trinity Taylor

Derek Schlender, Partner and SBA Practice Lead, and Trinity Taylor, Partner and Recruiter with ThinkingAhead, share the skills they learned from working in the field of recruiting, and what they appreciate most about this unique and rewarding career path.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:0725/07/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Summer Smarts

Talent Trade Tidbit - Summer Smarts

Learn how to enjoy summer the smart way, including adopting the right work mentality, some basic tips for being safe in the sun, and even how to survive a beach weekend with co-workers.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
04:3818/07/2024
Uncover, Discover, Remember

Uncover, Discover, Remember

Stephanie welcomes Kay Linder, Partner with ThinkingAhead's Nonprofit Leadership Search, covering ground including the many hats a true recruiter must wear, the importance of planting the seeds of confidence, trust, transparency, and collaboration, using your head, heart, and gut together, and what being "fearless" really means.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
24:2611/07/2024
Happy 4th of July from The Talent Trade!

Happy 4th of July from The Talent Trade!

Stephanie Maas shares a heartfelt 4th of July message on what makes the holiday great, what makes America great, and why the perseverance of our nation and one of ThinkingAhead’s core principles are remarkably similar.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:1304/07/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Career Vaccine

Talent Trade Tidbit - Career Vaccine

Stephanie Maas shares her best advice for how to truly inoculate yourself against the ups and downs of the job marketplace, and the world at large.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
02:2227/06/2024
Recruiter Tales - Jennifer White

Recruiter Tales - Jennifer White

Jennifer White, Partner and Attorney Recruiter for ThinkingAhead, talks about the connection between search and sales, the RIGHT time to catch a candidate, and throws a shoutout to Talent Trade host Stephanie Maas!Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
04:2620/06/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Out of Work?

Talent Trade Tidbit - Out of Work?

Learn the 3 critical things to keep in mind if you find yourself in the perhaps unexpected position of having to search for your next professional role.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:4913/06/2024
Incredible Interviewing

Incredible Interviewing

Find out what makes interviewing today WAY different than interviewing a few years ago (and why that's a good thing), the 7 most important things to keep in mind as you prepare for and conduct your interview, what to do if the interview starts to go a little bit off the rails, and how to conduct yourself in the eventual follow-up interview (because you're for sure gonna crush the first one.)Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
11:5006/06/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Getting Congruent with Today's Market / Money Talks

Talent Trade Tidbit - Getting Congruent with Today's Market / Money Talks

Find out what is NOT the most effective way to lobby for a more equitable salary, and what to do instead.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
02:1130/05/2024
Recruiter Tales - Elise Gay

Recruiter Tales - Elise Gay

Elise Gay, Recruiter with the Life Sciences team at ThinkingAhead, talks about having the space to "fail it forward" to win at the end, shares one of her favorite success stories, and explains what drives her in her work.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
05:0823/05/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Don't Be a Donkey

Talent Trade Tidbit - Don't Be a Donkey

Stephanie provides a much-needed wake up call on keeping swagger levels from getting dangerously high.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
01:4916/05/2024
Becoming a Market Master

Becoming a Market Master

Stephanie welcomes the Strongest Man in Kansas, and Partner with ThinkingAhead, JW Heflin, who lays out the benefits of being highly specialized, how to gain speed to market and great coverage, the mindset for turning around your down years, how to build 4 mega-valuable relationships off of a single piece of info, the importance of NOT throwing spaghetti at the wall, and... what keeps him from eating live young?Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
26:0009/05/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda

Talent Trade Tidbit - Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda

Stephanie stresses the importance of slowing down and learning to course-correct in the moment, rather than living with regret later.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
02:3302/05/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Not Years of Experience, But Experience in the Years

Talent Trade Tidbit - Not Years of Experience, But Experience in the Years

Experience isn’t just a number; it’s about being present and making the most of your time, even in a situation that’s less than ideal.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
01:4025/04/2024
Recruiter Tales - Jessica Gurley

Recruiter Tales - Jessica Gurley

Jessica Gurley, recruiter on ThinkingAhead's Life Sciences team, talks about the "ThinkingAhead" effect, different types of approach by recruiters, and the importance of location, location, location!Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
05:4218/04/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Banker Fatigue

Talent Trade Tidbit - Banker Fatigue

Stephanie asks the big question about banking that everyone wants to know…WTF?  Where’s the fun?!Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
04:1011/04/2024
Our Product is People

Our Product is People

Host Stephanie Maas is joined by ThinkingAhead Partner and Recruiter Cathy Moll, who shares tips for building relationships and being a better listener and hiring & training recruiters, explains why the search field both IS and IS NOT a sales role, and talks about walking uphill through the snow, discovering Google for the first time, and a few hilarious faxing mishaps.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
19:0504/04/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Purple Spotted Unicorn

Talent Trade Tidbit - Purple Spotted Unicorn

On the hunt for the rare beast known as the "purple spotted unicorn"? We've got bad news for ya...you're not going to find one.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
02:1328/03/2024
Recruiter Tales - Jonathan McIntosh

Recruiter Tales - Jonathan McIntosh

In this edition of Recruiter Tales, ThinkingAhead Partner and Recruiter Jonathan McIntosh shares what he loves about working in search, and how for the right person, it's easy to hit the ground running.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:2621/03/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - How To Choose a Recruiter

Talent Trade Tidbit - How To Choose a Recruiter

Stephanie Maas wants you to check her out.......as a recruiter. Hear about the right questions to ask when finding a recruiter to work with, from both sides of the desk.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:3514/03/2024
Being Yourself, FAST

Being Yourself, FAST

Stephanie welcomes special guest Jonathan McIntosh, Partner and Recruiter with ThinkingAhead, to discuss the "recipe" for conduct on a call, the beauty and the terror of a cold call, getting off "the ladder", and why the words should never outshine the feeling.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
23:4207/03/2024
Recruiter Tales - Cathy Moll

Recruiter Tales - Cathy Moll

In this first edition of Recruiter Tales, ThinkingAhead Partner and Recruiter Cathy Moll shares the story of how she found her way into the industry, and one quality that might make it a good fit for the right person.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
02:3929/02/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Is/Was "The Great Resignation" Real?

Talent Trade Tidbit - Is/Was "The Great Resignation" Real?

Stephanie answers a surprisingly common question: is the so-called "Great Resignation" real? Spoiler alert...it definitely is.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
02:1422/02/2024
Peeling the Onion

Peeling the Onion

Learn how to set yourself up for influence by scratching below the surface on matters like compensation, commute, and other potentially important employment factors, making the mute button your best friend, and learning from the Jedi Knights.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
14:0315/02/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Why Be Honest With Your Recruiter?

Talent Trade Tidbit - Why Be Honest With Your Recruiter?

A good recruiter has your back in a surprising number of ways, but only if you're honest with them. Hear one unconventional example, and learn why honesty is ALWAYS the best policy.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:3708/02/2024
Keys to the Marketing Kingdom

Keys to the Marketing Kingdom

Discover why MPCs beat MVPs and the importance of finding your niche, being proactive, and maintaining super secret confidentiality, plus, what's Tom Brady got to do with it?Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
15:5201/02/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - Hiring vs. Recruiting

Talent Trade Tidbit - Hiring vs. Recruiting

Although they might sound the same, being hired and being recruited are two VERY different things, and only one of them typically generates long-term results. Learn the difference and why it's important.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
03:4125/01/2024
Managing Between the Ears

Managing Between the Ears

Hear about the 5 areas to look for when building your confidence up in an uncertain market, the unexpected role of physical fitness and spirituality in recruiting, and more, all designed to get you out of your own head at work.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
16:3918/01/2024
Talent Trade Tidbit - You Got Your Bonus...Now What?

Talent Trade Tidbit - You Got Your Bonus...Now What?

So, you got your bonus. What does that mean for your job satisfaction? Happier than ever? Or time to hit the market? Before you make any big moves, there's a few things you might want to consider...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
02:1211/01/2024
Biz Dev Basics

Biz Dev Basics

Find out the 3 things to look for when evaluating if the person you're calling is a suspect vs a prospect, the most important 4-letter "F" word, and how to differentiate yourself from other recruiting options when entering "biz dev" (business development) mode.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
15:3404/01/2024
Happy New Year from The Talent Trade!

Happy New Year from The Talent Trade!

Talent Trade host Stephanie Maas closes out 2023 with a fun exercise in year-end gratitude, and a unique way to frame your professional accomplishments as the calendar rolls over to 2024.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
04:0128/12/2023
Merry Christ-Maas from The Talent Trade!

Merry Christ-Maas from The Talent Trade!

Talent Trade host Stephanie Maas wishes listeners the happiest of holidays and merriest of Christmases, and shares a few of her favorite traditions. Merry Christ-Maas!Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
06:5021/12/2023
Scripting for Success

Scripting for Success

Find out how to better operate in marketing vs. recruiting mode, including 2 simple types of scripts that can create a roadmap to save you mental energy, better your business, land more callbacks, and provide more value to clients.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
12:3814/12/2023