The Talent Trade - podcast cover

The Talent Trade

Southwestern Family of Podcaststhetalenttrade.com
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.

Episodes

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.

Mar 06, 20254 min

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.

Feb 27, 20254 min

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.

Feb 20, 20253 min

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.

Feb 13, 20257 min

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....

Feb 06, 202521 minEp. 28

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.

Jan 30, 20255 min

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.

Jan 23, 20252 min

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.

Jan 16, 20253 min

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.

Jan 09, 20256 minEp. 27

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.

Jan 02, 20252 min

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.

Dec 26, 20242 min

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.

Dec 19, 20243 min

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.

Dec 12, 20243 min

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 ...

Dec 05, 202420 minEp. 26

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.

Nov 28, 20242 min

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.

Nov 21, 20244 min

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.

Nov 14, 20247 min

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.

Nov 07, 202418 minEp. 25

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.

Oct 31, 20242 min

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.

Oct 24, 20242 min

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....

Oct 17, 20245 min

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.

Oct 10, 20244 min

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....

Oct 03, 202419 minEp. 24

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.

Sep 26, 20244 min

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....

Sep 19, 20243 min

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.

Sep 12, 20244 min

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.

Sep 05, 202424 minEp. 23

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....

Aug 22, 20246 min