The Career Report

In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina talk about why this quiet week before the new year matters more than most people realize. While many professionals are waiting for January to take action, hiring leaders are already moving, conversations are already happening, and momentum is quietly building.They break down what happens to careers that stay on pause, why waiting can create unnecessary pressure once the market picks up, and how small, intentional actions right now can make a meaningful difference in how you start the year. This isn’t about panic or rushing. It’s about awareness, positioning, and not getting caught off guard when things accelerate.If you’re feeling like you’ll “get serious” once the new year starts, this episode offers a timely perspective on why now is often the better moment to prepare.

In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina talk about why reflection matters before you jump into setting new PPF goals. It’s easy to rush into planning the next year without taking a moment to look back, but skipping that step often means missing what actually worked.They walk through how to review the past year honestly, how to recognize wins that are easy to overlook, and how to carry lessons forward without beating yourself up over what didn’t go as planned. This conversation is about clarity, momentum, and setting yourself up for a stronger year ahead, not just creating another list of goals.If you’re wrapping up the year and thinking about what’s next, this episode will help you slow down just enough to move forward with intention.

In this episode of The Career Report, I break down why your job title matters far less than you think when it comes to getting hired. Too many professionals get stuck chasing the “right” title instead of focusing on what actually moves the needle in interviews and executive searches.We talk about how hiring managers really evaluate candidates, what recruiters look for beyond titles, and how relying on a title alone can quietly hold your career back. If you’ve ever wondered why strong experience isn’t translating into interviews or offers, this episode will help you rethink how you position yourself and your value.This is especially relevant for directors, VPs, and senior professionals navigating a competitive market where perception, clarity, and impact matter more than labels.

In this episode, hosts Tim and Kristina Madden debunk the common myth that current hiring delays are a byproduct of "the market," instead pointing the finger at the internal corporate paralysis and "hiring by committee" culture plaguing modern organizations. They pull back the curtain on why 90-day interview cycles and endless rounds of vetting have become the new norm, explaining that these bottlenecks are driven by leadership's fear of making the "wrong" hire rather than external economic shifts. By breaking down the mechanics of this bureaucratic inertia, Tim and Kristina empower job seekers to stop internalizing the wait and provide actionable strategies to navigate the "black hole" of the modern application process with their confidence and leverage intact.

In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina unpack the growing hesitation they’re seeing across the job market and within careers at every level. They discuss why so many professionals are choosing to stay put, how uncertainty is influencing decision-making, and where caution can quietly turn into stagnation. Together, they explore how to evaluate risk, build confidence, and make intentional career moves even when the market feels unpredictable. If you’ve been stuck between staying and going, this conversation offers clarity and perspective to help you move forward with purpose.