The Hiring Edge - podcast cover

The Hiring Edge

Smarter hiring. Stronger teams. Better careers.

Hosted by Josh Matthews — founder of TheSalesforceRecruiter.com — this podcast gives you the real-world edge to grow teams and careers in tech.

Whether you’re a leader trying to build high-performance delivery teams, or a professional navigating the career ladder, Josh delivers no-fluff insights through solo episodes and raw convos with top minds across hiring, leadership, and career growth.

You’ll get:

  • Proven frameworks for hiring, scaling, and retention
  • Talent trends, AI tools, and recruiting tactics that actually work
  • Career advice to help you stand out, level up, and move fast
  • Culture and compensation strategies for real growth

Built for founders, tech leads, HR pros, and ambitious professionals — inside and beyond the Salesforce ecosystem.

New episodes every other week.
Watch on https://joshforce.com/YouTube

Subscribe now — and get the edge on both sides of the table.

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Episodes

The Truth About Compensation: Pay Transparency, Bonuses & Retention

Send us a text Is your pay strategy quietly driving talent out the door? In this no-fluff episode, Josh Matthews sits down with compensation expert Scott Trumpolt to break down pay transparency laws, broken bonus systems, and how to finally build comp plans that retain and motivate . If you're hiring, leading, or scaling, this one’s a game-changer. 🔍 Chapters: 00:16 – Why your comp strategy might be broken 01:27 – What pay transparency laws get wrong 05:06 – The problem with static pay bands 11...

Jun 25, 202528 minSeason 3Ep. 76

Why Vulnerability Is the #1 Hiring Superpower in Tech Teams

Send us a text In this raw and real episode of Salesforce Hiring Edge , we sit down with David Kestenberg — former CIO, startup founder, and transformation leader — to talk about something no one is saying out loud in tech hiring: vulnerability is a weapon . From building authentic teams to calling BS on fake personas in interviews, David, Josh Matthews, and Josh LeQuire break down how to create a culture where people are safe to be real — and why that leads to better hires, better retention, an...

Jun 11, 202535 minSeason 3Ep. 75

How to Spot a Bad Recruiter Before It's Too Late

Send us a text Not all recruiters are equal — and hiring the wrong one could cost you time, money, and top talent. In this episode, Josh Matthews explains exactly how to vet a recruiter, what red flags to avoid, and how speed and quality can work together to deliver better hires. Learn why specialization, transparency, and relationship-building are non-negotiable if you want to build a high-performing Salesforce team. Listen in and upgrade your hiring strategy. #Recruiting #SalesforceHiring #Lea...

Jun 05, 202531 minSeason 3Ep. 74

Why Your Interview Process is Costing You Talent

Send us a text Your interview process might be broken—and costing you top talent. Ex-Google & Salesforce engineer Mike Mroczka, author of Beyond Cracking the Coding Interview, joins us again to break down what most companies get dead wrong about hiring. Whether you're building a Salesforce team or scaling a broader tech org, this episode dives deep into the mindset and mechanics of smarter hiring. You’ll learn: ✔ The #1 red flag in most tech interviews (and how to fix it) ✔ Why great enginee...

May 28, 202519 minSeason 3Ep. 73

How to Choose the Right Salesforce Partner (and Protect Your Career Doing It)

Send us a text Welcome to the Salesforce Hiring Edge , hosted by Josh Matthews and co-host Josh LeQuire. In this powerful episode, we break down exactly what it takes to hire the right Salesforce SI (System Integrator) partner — and why making the wrong choice could cost you your career. From uncovering the #1 factor in Salesforce implementation success (spoiler: it’s client engagement), to red flags in partner pitches, to protecting your investment through smart, small-bite projects — this conv...

May 20, 202524 minSeason 3Ep. 72

AI Cheating in Tech Interviews: Ex-Salesforce Engineer Tells All

Send us a text This episode is WILD. We sit down with Mike Mroczka —author, ex-Googler, ex-Salesforce employee, and interview coach—to talk about the growing epidemic of AI-assisted cheating in technical interviews. We're not talking theory—this is what’s actually happening in the trenches. Mike breaks down: Why AI makes it easier than ever to fake your way into a six-figure job How companies can design smarter, cheat-proof interview systems What red flags recruiters should NEVER ignore Why some...

May 14, 202525 minSeason 3Ep. 71

Scaling Salesforce Teams: Snipers, Swim Lanes & Zero Ambiguity

Send us a text What does it really take to scale a Salesforce team from 10 to 200—without chaos? In this episode of Salesforce Hiring Edge , Josh Matthews and Josh LeQuire are joined by David Kestenberg: former CIO, Salesforce transformation leader, and 5-time Dreamforce speaker. David shares hard-won lessons on hiring for trajectory, building leadership layers, and maintaining clarity and accountability—even when you're growing at warp speed. From ‘sniper’ developers to culture-building rituals...

May 07, 202530 minSeason 3Ep. 70

The Lightning-Fast Hire: How Speed, Clarity, and Flexibility Win the Salesforce Talent War

Send us a text n this episode of Salesforce Hiring Edge , Josh Matthews and Josh LeQuire break down two real-world Salesforce hiring stories—one a textbook win, the other a slow-motion fail. You’ll learn exactly what separates high-velocity teams who land top talent from the ones who lose momentum and miss out. Josh unpacks a step-by-step playbook on how one fast-moving company hired a Salesforce pro in under 48 hours—from job order to offer. No red tape, no games, just clear priorities, time-bl...

Apr 30, 202519 minSeason 3Ep. 69

AI Takeover - Will Your Salesforce Career Survive?

Send us a text In the final live episode of the Salesforce Career Show, hosts Josh Matthews and Josh LaQuire are joined by a powerhouse panel including Vanessa Grant, Mike Mikula, and Anthony Rodriguez to discuss the question everyone in the ecosystem is asking: How will AI reshape our careers? This extended finale delivers a deep, honest, and highly detailed breakdown of how artificial intelligence is already impacting Salesforce roles—from project managers and admins to developers, BAs, and ar...

Apr 16, 20251 hr 44 minSeason 3Ep. 68

AI & The Future of Salesforce Admins

Send us a text The AI revolution isn’t coming—it’s already here. And for Salesforce administrators, this means big changes. AI-powered tools like Einstein and AgentForce are now handling 40-50% of manual tasks, automating processes such as user permissions, report generation, and workflow creation. With AI evolving at an unprecedented speed, the role of the Salesforce admin is shifting from configurator to strategic orchestrator. In this episode of the Salesforce Career Show, hosts Josh Matthews...

Mar 19, 20251 hr 1 minSeason 3Ep. 67

Is Leadership Right for You? The Truth About Moving Up (And Why Many Fail)

Send us a text Are you ready to step into a leadership role—or are you being pushed into one for the wrong reasons? In this episode of The Salesforce Career Show , we uncover the reality of leadership and whether it’s the right path for you. Join host Josh Matthews, co-host Josh LaQuire, and leadership expert Whitney Faires as they dive deep into the challenges of Salesforce leadership, career progression myths, and how to thrive as a people leader. Learn the key skills that separate great leade...

Mar 05, 20251 hr 2 minSeason 3Ep. 66

How to Speak Like a Leader: Mastering Tone, Confidence & Influence

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of the Salesforce Career Show, hosts Josh Matthews and Vanessa Grant—joined by expert guests Josh LeQuire and Jon Cline—tackle a crucial yet often overlooked skill: tone and professional communication . Our tone of voice shapes how we are perceived in different professional settings—whether we’re speaking to executives, leading a meeting, presenting at a conference, or conducting an interview. But does a confident tone always mean success? Should ...

Feb 19, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 65

Don't Quit Your Job. Do This First!

Send us a text Quitting vs. Conquering: How to Navigate Career Decisions in the Salesforce Ecosystem In this insightful episode of the Salesforce Career Show, hosts Josh Matthews and Vanessa Grant are joined by industry experts Tom Graber, Brandon Stein, Reid Marquand, and Josh LaQuire to tackle one of the toughest career questions: Should you stay or should you go? They dive deep into the reasons why people leave jobs, how to evaluate if quitting is truly the best move, and what steps you shoul...

Feb 05, 20251 hr 36 minSeason 3Ep. 64

AI-Proof Your Salesforce Career: Communication and Leadership Techniques

Send us a text Discover the secrets to future-proofing your Salesforce career against AI with our special guest, Jon Cline from People First Method. He shares invaluable insights into bridging the gap between technical prowess and successful project outcomes through essential non-technical skills. You won't want to miss our exclusive giveaway of $28,000 in leadership training designed to empower Salesforce professionals across the globe. Plus, Vanessa Grant brings exciting news on Salesforce MVP...

Jan 21, 20251 hr 37 minSeason 3Ep. 63

Plan Your Year for Success in 2025: Tools, Strategies, and Career Insights

Send us a text In this episode of the Salesforce Career Show, hosts Josh Matthews and Vanessa Grant are joined by a panel of experts, including Fred Cadena, Mike Mikula, Eric Cook, and Josh LeQuire to discuss effective strategies for planning a successful 2025. From practical tools to personal growth insights, this episode covers how to set meaningful goals, optimize productivity, and navigate challenges in the Salesforce ecosystem. Wherever you are in your Salesforce journey, this episode is pa...

Jan 09, 20251 hr 37 minSeason 3Ep. 62

2025 Salesforce Predictions + 2024 Year in Review with All Star Panel

Send us a text Join Josh Matthews and Vanessa Grant for the Salesforce Career Show's year-end wrap-up, featuring an all-star panel including Theron Stanley, Peter Ganza, Janeen Marquardt, John Sisson and Josh LaQuire. Reflecting on a transformative year in the Salesforce ecosystem, this episode delves into the challenges and opportunities of 2024 while forecasting the trends shaping 2025. This show was recorded live on LinkedIn. For video, visit https://joshforce.com/24WrapUp From the rise of AI...

Dec 30, 20241 hr 31 minSeason 2Ep. 61

Salesforce Career Questions Answered: AI Integrations, Team Retention + Contest Winners and More

Send us a text Unlock the secrets to a thriving career in Salesforce as we transition from X Spaces to LinkedIn Live in our landmark episode. We're revealing the lucky winners of our Salesforce certification voucher contest and answering your burning questions about succeeding in the industry. Explore the future of tech careers with us, and learn how AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are not just buzzwords but essential components in securing your position in the ever-evolving tech world. We ...

Dec 11, 20241 hr 26 minSeason 2Ep. 60

Unlocking Salesforce: Expert Strategies for Successful SI/AE Partnerships + AMA on AI

Send us a text Ready to navigate the complex world of Salesforce partnerships? Join co-hosts Josh Matthews and Vanessa Grant as they sit down with industry veterans Bobby Dornbos and Theron Stanley. You'll gain insights into the evolving Salesforce ecosystem and learn how the influx of post-COVID consultancy partners is shifting the dynamics of service quality and partnerships. This episode doesn't just stop at what you know; it pushes boundaries with practical strategies for niche market succes...

Nov 26, 20241 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 59

Focusing on What Really Matters: Mark Mears, Author of The Purposeful Growth Revolution

Send us a text The Salesforce Certification Voucher Giveaway is underway. Tune in for details on how to easily enter a chance to win 1 of 5 vouchers worth $400. The drawing is on December 4th, live. And now, the episode: Mark Mears, a luminary in leadership transformation, joins us to share his revolutionary "LEAF methodology" for purposeful growth in our latest episode. Discover how his remarkable journey in the food and beverage industry led him to champion a balanced approach to leadership th...

Nov 13, 20241 hr 14 minSeason 2Ep. 58

Manager-Employee Relationships: Shaping Career Trajectories

Send us a text Martha Hardy, Director of CRM at Pape Group, and her daughter Mariah Hardy-Spence, Salesforce Marketing Ops Manager, offer a unique mother-daughter perspective on optimizing CRM use and refining marketing strategies. Tune in for an engaging conversation about their working relationship within the Salesforce ecosystem, shedding light on both the challenges and rewards. Vanessa Grant also shares her inspiring journey into solo consultancy, a leap sparked by an unexpected layoff, ill...

Oct 30, 20241 hr 16 minSeason 2Ep. 57

Remaining Indispensable in an AI Enhanced World - AMA On Stage at Florida Dreamin'

Send us a text Ever wondered how the Salesforce community thrives against all odds? Promise yourself a journey into the heart of the Florida Dreamin' event, where resilience met opportunity amidst the challenges of Hurricane Helene. Join us as we share tales from our extensive journey within the Salesforce ecosystem since 1999, illustrating the power of uncovering true client needs through discovery questions. We also highlight the inspiring story of a summer placement that reveals how looking b...

Oct 09, 202439 minSeason 2Ep. 56

Dreamforce Highlights: AI Innovations and Career Transformations with Brandon Stein

Send us a text Ever wondered how the latest AI innovations can transform your career? Join us as we unpack the highlights of Dreamforce with our special guest, Brandon Stein, a leader in customer experience and strategic marketing with a storied career at Deloitte and Salesforce. Vanessa Grant shares her heartfelt moments of meeting friends and mentees in person, while Brandon recounts his eye-opening first ride with Waymo, a self-driving car service, alongside Josh Matthews. This episode promis...

Oct 03, 20241 hr 20 minSeason 2Ep. 55

Dreamforce - Practical Advice for Maximum Enjoyment

Send us a text Is navigating Dreamforce a challenge you’re ready to conquer? Join Vanessa Grant and me as we gear up for the ultimate Salesforce community event, revealing practical tips you won’t want to miss. From early booking strategies to dodging last-minute accommodation pitfalls, we’ve got you covered. Our trip down memory lane contrasts the colossal pre-pandemic Dreamforces with the more intimate post-COVID gatherings, while we eagerly anticipate performances by Pink and Imagine Dragons....

Sep 05, 20241 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 54

Winning Teams, and Mindset Mastery with Tony Robbins Coach, Trevor MacCalder

Send us a text Get ready to revolutionize your career in the Salesforce ecosystem with our latest episode! Join us as we sit down with executive coach Trevor MacCalder from Tony Robbins Research, who brings a wealth of knowledge in effective hiring strategies, assessing attitude and team fit, and navigating cultural differences in the workplace. You'll gain invaluable insights into the subtleties of hiring the right talent and building cohesive teams that thrive together. Trevor's expertise does...

Aug 28, 20241 hr 15 minSeason 2Ep. 53

LinkedIn Complainers + Easy Strategies to Elevate Your Profile Like a Pro

Send us a text Josh goes off on job hunters who complain about LinkedIn citing a recent article from SFGate. He attempts to set the record straight on the benefits of the platform, the hypocrisy of anti-capitalists in America, and the risks of whining to reporters or the public at large when you're on the job hunt. The show helps you unlock the secrets to turbocharging your LinkedIn presence with our co-host, Vanessa Grant, on this episode of the Salesforce Career Show. Vanessa reveals invaluabl...

Aug 13, 20241 hr 22 minSeason 2Ep. 52

Achieving Success in SaaS Sales and Beyond

Send us a text Uncover the secrets to mastering a career in sales within the Salesforce ecosystem, guided by the insights of Dylan Ferguson, a seasoned professional with 17 years of experience. This episode promises to enrich your understanding of SaaS sales, the nuances of effective interviewing, and the significance of resilience and adaptability in a sales role. Dylan, now at Fullcast, shares his journey and valuable tips for aspiring salespeople. Explore the essential traits for sales succes...

Aug 01, 20241 hr 17 minSeason 2Ep. 51

Mastering the Basics, Overcoming Burnout and Thriving in Salesforce

Send us a text Ever wondered how mastering the basics before chasing certifications can catapult your Salesforce career? Tune in as we sit down with Matt Pieper to uncover why foundational knowledge is crucial for career advancement. Vanessa Grant also brings her inspiring stories from Dreamin' in Color, focusing on how the event empowers Salesforce professionals. Learn about the motivational keynote speaker who emphasized self-reliance and authenticity, offering invaluable advice for thriving i...

Jul 10, 20241 hr 13 minSeason 2Ep. 50

The Happiness Episode - How to Get Happy and Grow Your Career

Send us a text Ever wonder how happiness influences your career? Discover the profound connection as we chat with Andrea Allen, VP of Alliances at Argano, alongside our regular guest, Peter Ganza, the App Exchange Whisperer. Andrea shares her journey through diverse roles, community involvement, and her pivotal contributions to business growth and innovation. We also cover the latest Salesforce updates, highlighting new AI capabilities and enhanced data integration, providing you with a comprehe...

Jun 25, 20241 hr 5 minSeason 2Ep. 49

Job Roles in the Age of AI Automation with Futurist, Manuj Aggarwal

Send us a text Imagine a world where AI employees handle your routine tasks, from sending reminders to optimizing budgets. That's the reality Manuj Aggarwal, CIO and founder of TetraNoodle, is working to create. This episode explores the groundbreaking integration of AI technologies like robotic process automation (RPA), computer vision, and natural language processing to develop virtual assistants capable of transforming the modern workplace. Discover the myriad ways these virtual assistants ar...

Jun 18, 202437 minSeason 2Ep. 48

Destination Employer - Keys to Building Winning Teams with Author, Gerry Gadoury

Send us a text Ready to transform your business into a "Destination Employer"? Tune in as Josh sits down with Gerry Godoury, the mastermind behind the exceptional book "Destination Employer," and tap into his 25 years of expertise in recruiting and consulting, particularly within the Salesforce ecosystem. Discover the crucial elements that can elevate your leadership and hiring practices, from collaborating effectively with recruiters to cultivating an irresistible company culture. Gerry provide...

Jun 11, 202446 minSeason 2Ep. 47
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