The Exclusive Career Coach
Episodes
372: How to Network Like a Pro
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Two methods of networking - one successful, one not so much - and how to maximize your networking results.
371: Places to Network You Haven't Thought of
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ideas to develop a career-long, sustainable networking strategy .
370: Cover Letters in 2026 - Do We Need Them?
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When to - and not to - submit a cover letter, and two excellent examples.
369: Do I Need a Career Change - or Just a New Job? How to figure out what's not working and fit it
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sources of job and career dissatisfaction, along with questions to ask yourself to help you determin why you're not happy at work.
368: How to Negotiate a Competitive Salary & Benefits Package
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When, how, and what to negotiate so you get the best combination of salary and benefits available to you.
How to Improve Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) - Part 2 of 2
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In the second of this two-part series, I cover everything the recruiter sees about a candidate - and how to make sure your resume is optimally scored ...
366: How to Improve Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) - Part 1 of 2
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this two-part series, I cover what information a recruiter receives about candidates from the ATS - and how to improve your score.
365: Managing Your Mindset During Your Job Search
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As your job search drags on beyond when you thought you would be in your new role, it is easy to begin thinking thoughts that will further hinder your...
364: Managing the Mental, Physical, Social, and Spiritual Aspects of a Job Search
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to take care of yourself during a job search, particularly if you are unemployed.
363: Biggest Resume Missteps
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I give several universal considerations when creating your resume, as well as 11 missteps I see frequently on the resumes that come to me.
362: How to Make Sure You're Always Ready for Opportunity
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A best practice for career management is being always ready for opportunities that may come your way when you aren't looking. Here's how to be ARFO (A...
361: Preparing for a Job Search in 2026
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you are planning to start a job search in 2026 or continue with one you've already begun, I give you the big picture view of the current job s...
360: Why Now Really is a Good Time for a Job Search
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What the data are telling us about the current job market - and what the problem REALLY is.
359: The Hidden Job Market
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What the hidden job market actually is, why it happens, and how to leverage it.
358: Job Search Strategies - Active vs. Passive
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to put together an effective job search strategy with a combination of active and passive strategies.
357: Maximizing the Effectiveness of Job Boards
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
12 tips for increasing your chances of success when applying online.
356: Welcome Back and Overview of the Job Search
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I'm back after a 6-month hiatus! I will be focusing solely on the job search going forward.
Be sure to check out my new podcast!
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please check out my new podcast, The Exclusive Career!
353: Six Networking Strategies That Leverage What You're Already Doing
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
According to a Jobvite survey, employee referrals are 5X more likely to land you a role than just applying online like the rest of the universe. Her...
352: How to Navigate a Job Search for Remote Work
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the first episode of the year - #350 – I talked about the job market and what to expect in 2025. In this episode, I want to dive into the unique ...
351: Seven Feedback Mistakes Managers Make (with Bruce Tulgan)
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I got an article some time ago on “Feedback Mistakes Managers Make” in the rainmakerthinking.com newsletter from Bruce Tulgan. Bruce was previousl...
350: What You Need to Know About the Job Market and Job Searching in 2025
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re talking about the job market and the job search for 2025 – a forecast, coupled with some how-to’s. These seem to be universally accepted...
349: A Framework to Help You Prepare for the New Year
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is my last episode of 2024. I’m a huge fan of evaluating what went right and what didn’t – and what changes you want to make for 2025. Th...
348: Why Poor Employee Engagement is a Leadership Problem (with Dr. Roger Gerard)
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Roger Gerard, the owner of Sloan & Gerard Consulting, a private consulting practice serving executives and board...
347: New to Hiring? Here's a Quick Guide
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From now until 12/20/2024, I am offering all my services at 50% off. To take advantage, be sure to mention either the "Gift a Better Career" special o...
346: Annual List of Five Unusual Things to Be Thankful For
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that I do an annual list of five unusual things to be thankful for each year during T...
345: Why People Leave Their Jobs - and What it Means for Employers & Employees
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Most organizations assume people leave jobs for better pay or benefits. But the reality is that 70% of employees quit for reasons far beyond money. (S...
344: Finding Ikigai for Your Career
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I talked about the concept of Ikigai back in episode #243. This past week, a colleague posted a graphic about Ikigai and it got me thinking that it wa...
343: How to Earn Bonus Points on Your Behavioral Interview Answers
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I talked about this topic way back in episode #150, which aired in 2020. I thought it was time to bring it back. The framework I teach my clients for...
342: Bridging the Gap Between New, Mid-Career, and Late-Career Employees (with Cheryl Fields Tyler)
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My guest this week is Cheryl Fields Tyler, CEO and Founder of Blue Beyond Consulting. We are talking about the challenges – and rewards – of havin...
341: Focusing on the Gap vs. Focusing on Your Progress
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I could have subtitled this episode “Beating Yourself Up for What Didn’t Get Done vs. Celebrating What Did Get Done.” In other words, when you d...
340: How and Where to Integrate Networking into Your Job Search Strategy
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So, full disclosure: I wanted to do an episode on networking, covering it from a perspective I haven’t yet addressed. That’s not always easy when ...
339: Hybrid Work Strategy or Hostage Negotiation? The present and future of remote work (with Wayne Turmel)
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are talking about hybrid work – specifically, what it is, why it’s such a hot topic, and where it’s heading. My guest this week i...
338: It's Not Your Job's Job to Make You Happy
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
To purchase a Power Hour and schedule your coaching session:https://calendly.com/lesaedwards/power-hour Some of my coaching friends and I call it “...
337: Four Success Traps That Lead to Burnout (with Hannah Tackett)
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My guest this week is Hannah Tackett, software design manager turned burnout coach, and we are talking about the success traps that lead to burnout. H...
336: A Growth Mindset: What it is, why you need it
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Want to schedule a Power Hour with me? Here's the link to sign up through September:https://calendly.com/lesaedwards/power-hourA buzz word I’m heari...
335: Health & Wellness - What are Companies Offering Their Employees? (with Heather Fuselier)
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I have a guest to talk about workplace health and wellbeing benefits. Heather Fuselier is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Co...
334: Influend Without Authority - How to Lead When it's Not in Your Job Description
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are two basic types of leadership: Positional and Influential. The first is a leadership role where it is in your job description to lead others...
333: Questions to Ask When You Are an Internal Job Candidate
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I touched on all aspects of the job interview as an internal candidate in episode #202: https://exclusivecareercoaching.com/posts/2021-11-10-202-how...
332: Online Job Scams: What to look for, how to avoid
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, I want to talk about online job scams – as in, scammers that are posting fake jobs to get your personal information. I got a lot of the infor...
331: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The first thing I want to say about Imposter Syndrome, two things actually, are these: 1) Imposter Syndrome is not a one-and-done thing; it can crop ...
330: How to Be an Effective Manager When Your Boss is Horrible
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a perfect world, your boss is supportive, encouraging, wise, and has all the time in the world to mentor and coach you. He gives you full credit fo...
329: Five Ways to Use AI in Your Job Search
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There is A LOT of information out there about the benefits of AI in your job search – and not all of it is actually beneficial for you as a job seek...
328: Should You Apply on LinkedIn or Through the Company's Website?
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Increasingly, I’m getting questions from my clients about whether they should apply to a position they see on LinkedIn – or go directly to the com...
327: Tips for Cultivating Relationships with Recruiters
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I want to start this episode with a clarification: When I am talking about cultivating a relationship with recruiters, I am coming at this from the pe...
326: Increasing Your Leadership Effectiveness by Asking Great Questions (with Bob Tiede)
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s episode features my guest, Bob Tiede. Bob is a 20-year of the U.S. Leadership Development Team of Cru (formerly known as Campus Crusade ...
325: Know, Like, & Trust: A Sales Model for the Job Search
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A concept that I think about A LOT as a small business owner is that a person has to know, like, and trust me in order to buy from me. How does this...
324: Finding a Part-Time Job as a Professional
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A listener reached out to me about this topic and it resonated with me. At the beginning of the year, I started casually looking for a part-time job i...
323: When is it Appropriate to Say Negative Things in Your Job Interview?
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I want to start this episode by debunking a myth out there that you can NEVER, EVER say anything negative about your current/former employer or boss i...
322: How to Leverage Your Existing Network to Find a Job in a New Field or Industry
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you listen to this podcast on a regular basis, you know that many of my topics come from clients – what they are struggling with, the questions t...
321: Overcoming Setbacks and Obstacles in Your Career Path
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let me start today’s episode by saying loud and clear: EVERYONE has setbacks and obstacles in their career. NO ONE has a perfectly linear journey, w...
320: Resources for Career Development
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I’m going to cover a lot of ground on today’s podcast, starting with a definition of career development: According to Wikipedia:Career developmen...
319: Building and Maintaining a Professional Network
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The first thing I want to say about building a professional network is this is NOT just for when you are looking for a new job. In fact, if you spend ...
318: How to Make the Right Decision When Changing Employers
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we’re talking about how to increase your chance of choosing an employer who is a good fit for you. I’m dividing this discussion into two p...
317: Addressing Gaps in Employment in Resumes, LinkedIn, Job Interviews
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gaps in employment. I want to start with the big picture, then drill down to some specifics. If it was several years ago, or more recently for only a...
316: How to Transition Smoothly into a New Job
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
SO…you’ve landed a new position at a new company. How can you make your transition as smooth as possible? Here are 15 strategies: Exit Graceful...
315: Your Resume: What Belongs and What Should Go
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I want to talk with you today about what SHOULD and SHOULDN’T be on your resume in 2024. Like many of the topics I bring to the podcast, this one co...
314: The Resume Summary: What it is and how to write it
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I want to talk with you today about how to approach your resume summary. I will also be talking a lot about personal branding in this section. If yo...
313: What's Going on With Those Companies That Offer "Free" Resume Reviews?
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Over the years, a number of people have reached out to me with concerns about their resume – in some cases, resumes I wrote for them. They went to...