The Talent Trade - podcast cover

The Talent Trade

Southwestern Family of Podcasts - Southwestern Family of Companiesthetalenttrade.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.
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Episodes

Talent Trade Tidbit - Referrals

The attitude around referrals has changed a lot over the past 20 years, and mostly for the better. Hear how referrals can lead to opportunity from all sides, and how they're easier than ever before. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Apr 30, 20262 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Onboarding

So you've already got the job...that's it, right? Actually, what happens on day 1 and 2 can make a HUGE difference to your success in the role... Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Apr 23, 20262 min

Recruiter Spotlight - Ryan Rasmussen

Ryan Rasmussen, Partner and Executive Recruiter in the Nonprofit Practice at ThinkingAhead, shares personal insights into his role, what drew him to ThinkingAhead and the world of executive search, and what happens when nonprofit organizations develop a long-term relationship with a recruiting partner. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Apr 16, 20264 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Getting Called To The Majors

Don't make a rookie mistake and don't be a benchwarmer. When your time comes to play in the big leagues, consider these 3 factors... Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Apr 09, 20262 min

Spring Cleaning For Your Desk and For Your Head

Time to declutter! Not just at home, but professionally as well. Learn the 4 big categories to get into order for a smoother Q2 and beyond, the way they interact with one another, and how to attack each one. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Apr 02, 202610 minEp. 42

Talent Trade Tidbit - Realistic Hiring

If you're looking for a candidate, you'd better keep your expectations...realistic. Stephanie shares a story of how she had to give it straight to one client, and why ultimately, they appreciated the candor. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Mar 26, 20264 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Gratitude

It's the magic word that might be the hardest to say right now, but making it a habit can change EVERYTHING... Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Mar 19, 20261 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Balancing Multiple Opportunities

Newsflash: it's competitive out there. Don't let the best RECRUITER stand in the way of the best OPPORTUNITY. Don't let your ego get in the way, either. Here's some good advice for managing both... Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Mar 12, 20263 min

Volume Vs. Boutique Search

Are you getting questions like "why do I need a search firm at all?" or "what's the difference between firms anyway?" Stephanie's got the answers... Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Mar 05, 20268 minEp. 41

Talent Trade Tidbit - Stability, Redefined

What IS stability in today’s market? It’s not being part of the biggest organization, and it’s not being part of the smallest either. So what IS it? Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Feb 26, 20263 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Corporate Ladder Vs. Lattice

Making progress in the corporate world isn’t just up or down anymore. It’s sideways, diagonal, or sometimes staying right where you are. But what are the questions you need to ask yourself to get there? Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Feb 19, 20262 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Up Is Up

Don’t give in to the Negative Nancys….ANY progress, or even just holding steady, is worth celebrating… Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Feb 12, 20261 min

Tenacity and Courage

Stephanie breaks down the lion vs gazelle mentalities, the 4 pillars of building your desk and how to self-assess it regularly, and the 30-day challenge that can truly transform your game. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Feb 05, 202615 minEp. 40

Talent Trade Tidbit - Necessary Endings

They say that all good things must come to an end...but don't lose your head when it happens... Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Jan 29, 20262 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - The Feel Goods

Yes, filling a search is about satisfying a client and getting paid. But sometimes, filling a search can still hit you straight in the feels... Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Jan 22, 20262 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Thinking About Search?

Considering a career in search? Here are a few key things to keep in mind... Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Jan 15, 20261 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Be Safe and Make Good Choices

"Aunt Mimi" serves up some advice that, as it turns out, is as applicable for the marketplace as it is for the rest of your life... Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Jan 08, 20263 min

Qualify The Qualifying

Piggybacking off of Episodes 37 and 38, Stephanie digs into how much you should be investing in terms of time and effort into certain searches, how to make that determination, how to find out if a client is as committed to you as you are to them, and why ThinkingAhead is a bit like a luxury car. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Jan 01, 202614 minEp. 39

Wishing You the Merriest, from The Talent Trade

Stephanie shares what's keeping her spirits merry and bright at this most magical time of the year, and her sincere wishes for all of our listeners. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Dec 25, 20252 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Working Hard, or Hardly Working?

Stephanie has a hot take on a generational observation that, quite frankly, has left her a bit befuddled. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Dec 18, 20252 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - The Elevator Pitch

Expanding on a topic mentioned in Episode 37, Stephanie reveals the template for her quick, but effective, elevator pitch to prospective clients, which you can customize for your own use. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Dec 11, 20253 min

Easy As ABC

Stephanie breaks down the 3 different quality levels of searches, and the components that make up what defines each of those levels, as well as which criteria are "must-haves" and which are "wish I hads". Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Dec 04, 202513 minEp. 38

Happy Thanksgiving from The Talent Trade!

Talent Trade host Stephanie Maas breaks down the Thanksgiving lesson that listeners can carry with them EVERY day, plus her favorite Thanksgiving traditions, and the #1 thing she is a total dork about. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Nov 27, 20254 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - R&R: Not An Option

Even as we head into the holiday season, Stephanie wants you to know that a little rest and relaxation isn't an option....because it's MANDATORY. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Nov 20, 20252 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - #1 Problem in Banking

If you work in banking, you know the elephant in the room. It's not risk. It's not compliance. It's not a flat economy. It's not the regulators. So what IS it? And is there a solution? Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Nov 13, 20253 min

Intention and Sophistication

Learn how the pros at ThinkingAhead execute next-level business development, including the 3 stages of client development, the 3 simple questions that unlock relationship building, when the "blind squirrel" approach actually has it's place, and the tricks to staying on the radar until the time is right. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Nov 06, 202523 minEp. 37

Talent Trade Tidbit - Suggestions for Panel Interviews

Panel interviews, or back-to-back interviews can be daunting. But it's not you versus them.....it's you versus yourself, your experience, and your own preparation. Learn how to get organized for the big day, why to say "yes" to that drink, and what to do if nature calls. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Oct 30, 20254 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Mindset: Fixed or Growth?

Perhaps you've only ever heard that a growth mindset is good, and a fixed mindset is bad. That's not always the case. Learn when IS the right time to put those blinders on, and when to cast them aside. Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Oct 23, 20253 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Don't Communicate, Overcommunicate

It doesn't matter whether you're a candidate or a client, if you don't communicate with your recruiter, you're missing out on talent and opportunities. Just listen to a few of the hairy situations that a lack of communication has landed Stephanie in... Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Oct 16, 20254 min

Talent Trade Tidbit - Big Name Vs. The Market

So you've worked for a big company, and you want to namedrop in an interview. Does that really give you a leg up? .....Kinda. But it's not THE most important thing... Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Oct 09, 20253 min
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