Talent Tips: Job Seekers

Talent Tip #153: The Secret to Landing a Job and Lifting 300 Pounds

April 18, 2023

Katelynn Barbosa

When I was 27, I started powerlifting for the first time (too lazy for cardio) and quickly became besotted with the idea of deadlifting 300 pounds. So, I eagerly approached my coach and asked, “What’s the secret to lifting 300 pounds?”

“The secret?”

“Yeah, I have seen women lift 300 pounds and it looks awesome! I would love to be able to do that. What do they do? Is it those gummy bears they…

Talent Tip #152: You’re Not the Snoop to My Dogg: 4 Common Reasons for Rejection

February 21, 2023

Claire Dixon

“I just want to know why it didn’t work out between us.”

That’s how he started the phone call. No greeting. No small talk. Just straight for the jugular.

I knew I shouldn’t have picked up. After all, rule #1 of dating is never take a call from an ex unless you want to attempt to jump-start that ol’ jalopy. Because the moment you pick up, you’ll find yourself right in the middle of your very own rom-com…

1,000 Placements! Talent Market Celebrates a Milestone!

January 24, 2023

Talent Market is thrilled to announce our 1,000th placement!

You read that correctly. We’ve helped one thousand amazingly talented individuals land critical roles in the free-market movement.
We are both excited and humbled to hit this milestone. And to appreciate where we are now, you have to rewind 13 1/2 years.
In 2009, Tracie Sharp (President and CEO of State Policy Network) and the late Whitney Ball (then President and CEO of DonorsTrust) had an idea for…

Talent Tip 151: Yipee Ki Yay: Four Interviewing Lessons from Die Hard Characters

December 23, 2022

Katelynn Barbosa

How can you tell it’s Christmas in your house? Is it the Christmas tree decked-out with treasured family ornaments from childhood? Snow on the ground? Competition with everyone you know to avoid Mariah Carey as much as possible?

I love Christmas lights and Santa as much as the next guy, but in my house, it isn’t Christmas until Hans Gruber plunges 30 floors from the top of Nakatomi Plaza.

When reflecting on why Die Hard…

Talent Tip #149: Hiring Horror Stories: (Just in Time for Halloween!)

October 25, 2022

Katelynn Barbosa, Stephanie Keaveney, Lydia Ocampo, Katy Gambella, Claire Kittle Dixon

In the spirit of Halloween, our team wanted to share our best hiring horror stories with you. Names and identities have been altered to protect the innocent (and the ghoulishly guilty!).

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When a Stranger Calls
Years ago I arranged a phone interview with a candidate for a search I was managing. I called at the time our interview was scheduled, but my call went directly to voicemail. I…

Talent Tip #145: 10 Tips for Recent College Grads on the Job Hunt

May 24, 2022

“My first bit of advice is to stop wearing purple lipstick.”

That’s what the slightly uptight, middle-aged woman across the table told me. I was a naive 22 year-old eager to find a job and this no-nonsense, tweed-wearing consultant said she could help.

Until that very moment, I had no idea that my choice of lip color was going to be an impediment to landing employment. Good to know!

I took her advice to heart, not only as it…

Talent Tip #144: The F Word

April 19, 2022

I love the F word.

I use it frequently, in fact. I say it in front of my clients and candidates…in front of mature audiences and young professionals….even kids. Heck, I say it in front of my mother-in-law. I’m shameless about it.

No matter when or where I use it, it never fails to raise eyebrows.

I don’t think people are offended by it; they just don’t think about it that often.  But they should.  Because it’s absolutely…

Talent Tip #142: 10 Questions to Ask on Your Next Date/Job Interview

January 19, 2022

My father once gave me some fantastic dating advice:

“On the first date, ask him what drugs he is taking, legal and illegal.”

Subtly isn’t my dad’s forte, and now you know I came by it honestly. But you can understand what pops was getting at. Before you get serious about someone, pop open the hood and poke around.

And so it goes with job hunting. So many of the things we really want to know,…

Talent Tip #141: Five Gifts to Give a Hiring Manager

December 14, 2021

It’s that time of year again! I can’t wait to drink egg nog, watch Christmas Vacation for the 7641st time, and erect the Festivus pole/prepare for the airing of grievances.

Speaking of grievances, have you ever gotten a really terrible holiday gift?

Many moons ago, a boyfriend of mine got me a stunning, likely expensive, gold bracelet. The design was lovely and it really was beautiful…except for the fact it was gold. What’s wrong with gold, you…

Talent Tip #139: Hiring Horror Stories (Just in Time for Halloween!)

October 19, 2021

Katelynn Barbosa, Stephanie Keaveney, Claire Kittle Dixon

In the spirit of Halloween, our team wanted to share our best hiring horror stories with you. Names and identities have been changed to protect the innocent (and the ghoulishly guilty!).

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The Candidate Who Ghosted Us

A couple of years ago I was working with a nonprofit who wanted to hire for a senior level opening. We identified an impressive candidate who had worked for one of the…