Let's chat about job interviews! This is one of my FAV career topics. There is an art to interviewing, and everyone can get better at it when you know how to prep, how to connect the dots for the person you are interviewing with, how to answer questions effectively, and what to do with the follow-up after the interview is over.

Hit the Highlights

• Interviewing is a two-way street, akin to professional dating.
• Candidates should assess the company just as much as they are assessed.
• The art of interviewing involves connecting skills with personal experiences.
• Hiring is influenced by both what you do and who you are.
• Effective communication is key in interviews.
• Candidates should help interviewers understand their unique experiences.
• It's important to match your skills with the role effectively.
• The experience of working with a candidate matters to employers.
• Personal branding plays a crucial role in the hiring process.
• Understanding employer expectations can enhance interview success.

Access my Career Success Guides & Monthly Work in Progress Bulletin: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/links

Q for you: What is most challenging for you when it comes to job interviews?

DM me your answer: https://instagram.com/hellojessness/

Connect:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsmith161/
• Sign up for my monthly 'Work in Progress' Bulletin: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/newsletter

This episode is brought to you by my book ‘Thank You for Dumping Me’ — a book about a blindsided breakup turned personal growth opportunity. It’s raw and real, with witty humor and a lot of heart! Let’s rebrand breakups from something to be feared to opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

Get yourself a copy today: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/order

My books:

• Thank You for Dumping Me: A Memoir, Self-Discovery Guide, and Novel - https://amzn.to/4anyh57
• YOUR TWENTIES: No one ever teaches you how to grow up, ya know? - https://amzn.to/40nQoU3

In this episode, I share my end-of-year rituals that help me wrap up 2025 and how I look forward with intention every new year, hello 2026!

We'll touch on my Radiant Life Framework, year-in-review/vision-casting practice, and how I incorporate feng shui.

We're gearing up to birth our baby girl come this Jan, but the pod will still rock on. What's to come?

Jan: Interview Strategies / The Art of Interviewing

Feb: AI and how to partner with it to be a better employee / More efficient

Mar: Career Advancement Strategies

April: Maternity Insights, Reflections and the Corporate World

I also share, here for the first time ever, my latest creation, the "Self-Discovery Journal" full of 30 life-experiments to support you in connecting to your inner voice of wisdom. I've been secretly working on this and it's currently in review with my publisher. So excited to share this with you! Stay tuned.

00:00 Reflecting on the Year: A Personal Journey

00:00 Setting Intentions for the New Year

00:22 Reflecting on 2025: A Year-End Wrap-Up

02:11 The Year in Review: Collage of Memories

05:36 Vision Casting: Setting Intentions for 2026

11:18 Rituals and Symbols: Feng Shui and Amulets

13:39 Looking Ahead: Upcoming Podcast Themes and Projects

Access my Career Success Guides & Monthly Work in Progress Bulletin: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/links

Q for you: What end of year rituals / practices do you enjoy?

DM me your answer: https://instagram.com/hellojessness/

Connect:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsmith161/
• Sign up for my monthly 'Work in Progress' Bulletin: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/newsletter

This episode is brought to you by my book ‘Thank You for Dumping Me’ — a book about a blindsided breakup turned personal growth opportunity. It’s raw and real, with witty humor and a lot of heart! Let’s rebrand breakups from something to be feared to opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Get yourself a copy today: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/order

My books:

• Thank You for Dumping Me: A Memoir, Self-Discovery Guide, and Novel - https://amzn.to/4anyh57
  
• YOUR TWENTIES: No one ever teaches you how to grow up, ya know? - https://amzn.to/40nQoU3

If you are not asking questions to hiring managers, recruiters, or team members you are interviewing with for a new job...you are missing out. Let's talk about it.

Hit the Highlights

• There's an art to all this interviewing stuff - this episode will unpack a key element of that
• Remember, you are dating the job opportunity, the company, the team just as much as they are assessing you - be picky, find what you want! Make sure it's a good fit!
• Interviewing is not just about your skills, but also about expressing who you are.
• Your resume gets you in the door, but who you are carries you through.

Access my Career Success Guides & Monthly Work in Progress Bulletin: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/links

Q for you: What's your fav question to ask a hiring manager during an interview?

DM me your answer: https://instagram.com/hellojessness/

Connect:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsmith161/
• Sign up for my monthly 'Work in Progress' Bulletin: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/newsletter

This episode is brought to you by my book ‘Thank You for Dumping Me’ — a book about a blindsided breakup turned personal growth opportunity. It’s raw and real, with witty humor and a lot of heart! Let’s rebrand breakups from something to be feared to opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Get yourself a copy today: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/order

My books:

• Thank You for Dumping Me: A Memoir, Self-Discovery Guide, and Novel - https://amzn.to/4anyh57
  
• YOUR TWENTIES: No one ever teaches you how to grow up, ya know? - https://amzn.to/40nQoU3

In this episode, I share how I prepped for my promotion before heading out on mat leave. This step-by-step strategy applies to you if you are navigating a promotion as your next career step or looking to advance your career to the next level...whether maternity leave is on your horizon or not.

Disclaimer: I haven't landed the promotion and don't know the outcome...fingers crossed ;)

Tune in to this episode for practical tips for setting yourself up for a promotion. I also touch on the importance of somatic practices to build confidence and manage stress during times of transition.

Hit the Highlights

00:00 Navigating Transitions and Career Growth

03:24 Preparing for Promotion During Maternity Leave

08:58 Advocating for Yourself in the Workplace

12:14 Documenting Achievements for Career Advancement

16:37 Building Visibility

19:28 Proactive Promotion Strategies

21:53 Understanding Managerial Mindsets

24:15 Embracing Visibility and Confidence

26:40 Final Thoughts on Self-Advocacy

Access my Career Success Guides & Monthly Work in Progress Bulletin: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/links

Q for you: Share a takeaway from this episode.

Answer: DM me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/hellojessness/

Connect:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsmith161/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hellojessness

This episode is brought to you by my book ‘Thank You for Dumping Me’ — a book about a blindsided breakup turned personal growth opportunity. It’s raw and real, with witty humor and a lot of heart! Let’s rebrand breakups from something to be feared to opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Get yourself a copy today: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/order

My books:

• Thank You for Dumping Me: A Memoir, Self-Discovery Guide, and Novel - https://amzn.to/4anyh57
  
• YOUR TWENTIES: No one ever teaches you how to grow up, ya know? - https://amzn.to/40nQoU3

This week, we talk writing, self-discovery, the power of partnership, my next big leap in life, and a special gift for you...all through the lens of gratitude. Thank you for being here. I am grateful for you!

Hit the Highlights

• Gratitude week encourages deep reflection on the past year.
• Writing is a powerful tool for self-discovery
• There's nothing better for an author than to hear from a reader
• Self-discovery is essential for making empowered decisions
• Supportive relationships provide a foundation for personal growth
• Celebrating new life fosters community and joyWe can't outsource self-discovery to astrology, human design or AI - this causes confusion

Access my Career Success Guides & Monthly Work in Progress Bulletin: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/links

Q for you: What are you grateful for?

Answer: DM me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/hellojessness/

Connect for more Content:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsmith161/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hellojessness

This episode is brought to you by my book ‘Thank You for Dumping Me’ — a book about a blindsided breakup turned personal growth opportunity. It’s raw and real, with witty humor and a lot of heart! Let’s rebrand breakups from something to be feared to opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Get yourself a copy today: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/order

My books:

• Thank You for Dumping Me: A Memoir, Self-Discovery Guide, and Novel - https://amzn.to/4anyh57
• YOUR TWENTIES: No one ever teaches you how to grow up, ya know? - https://amzn.to/40nQoU3

This conversation is designed to help you feel empowered during your year-end performance evaluation.

You’ll learn how to build a strong relationship with your manager and turn any fear or anxiety into a positive, productive experience.

I share specific tips for navigating your evaluation effectively, improving your communication, and making the process smoother and more rewarding for both you and your manager.

Hit the highlights:

• Transform fear into empowerment during evaluations.
• Make the evaluation process feel good for everyone.
• Build stronger relationships with your manager.
• Effective communication is key to evaluations.
• Navigate year-end processes with confidence.
• Empower yourself in performance reviews.
• Create a positive evaluation experience.
• End-of-year evaluations can be empowering.
• Specific tips for your relationship with your manager.

Acces my Career Success Guides & Monthly Work in Progress Bulletin: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/links

Q for you: What's your best tip for prepping for year-end reviews?

Answer: DM me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/hellojessness/

Connect:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsmith161/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hellojessness

This episode is brought to you by my ‘Brain Dates’ — where we figure out your next move together on a variety of topics. You can learn more on her website: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/work-with-me

My books:

• Thank You for Dumping Me: A Memoir, Self-Discovery Guide, and Novel - https://amzn.to/4anyh57

• YOUR TWENTIES: No one ever teaches you how to grow up, ya know? - https://amzn.to/40nQoU3

Worried AI will replace you? Think again. Learn what humans will always do better, how to team up with AI, and why your human edge is here to stay.

This episode is brought to you by my ‘Brain Dates’ — where we figure out your next move together on a variety of topics. You can learn more on her website: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/work-with-me

Access my free career success guides here: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/lovemyjob

Signed copies can be ordered directly from my website: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/books

Connect:

Instagram: @hellojessess

LinkedIn: Jessica Gazay

Career growth, self-discovery, and the lessons life throws at us—today, three women across three decades share how loss, change, and the in-between shaped who we are.

About Patty, Author of Beyond Widow 

Patty McGuigan is a successful commercial real estate agent turned author. Patty has co-authored three children’s books, a book of essays about widowhood, and a memoir on her commercial real estate career.

All Patty's books are available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. 

Patty's Website: https://www.beyondwidow.com/authors

​A​bout Samantha, Author of Giving Up the Ghost 
Samantha Rose is an Emmy award-winning television producer and a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling ghostwriter of nearly twenty titles, some that have been selected as Reese’s Book Club and Target Bookmarked Picks and featured in the Wall Street Journal, Oprah and Harper’s Bazaar. She is the principal of Yellow Sky Media, a boutique editorial agency in Petaluma, California, where she lives with her son. Her newest release, Giving Up the Ghost that was awarded “Best Memoir” at the 2025 San Francisco Book Festival, is her first title written under her own name.

​Samantha's Website: https://www.yellowskymedia.com/
​Samantha's I​nstagram: Samantharose_writer

Buy Samantha's Book: Amazon

About Jessica's book, Thank You for Dumping Me 

Thank You for Dumping Me is a book about a blindsided breakup turned personal growth opportunity, learning to love yourself after heartache, and the challenging transitions that help us get to know ourselves more deeply. It’s raw and real, with witty humor and a lot of heart!

At the end of every chapter, you will find self-discovery activities as an invitation to reflect on how your own experiences shape your journey.

Jess is on a mission to rebrand breakups from something to be feared, dreaded, and full of sorrow to opportunities for growth, self-discovery, and life course redirects.

Shop Jessica's books: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/books

Jessica's Instagram: @hellojessess

Jessica's LinkedIn: Jessica Gazay

In this episode I’ll show you just how messy a prompt can be and still get results with 3 real (and practical) examples I’ve used at work. Stop waiting for the “perfect prompt” or copying the top 10 prompt lists for your job. Use AI to be faster, smarter, and actually better at your job.

This episode is brought to you by my ‘Brain Dates’ — where we figure out your next move together on a variety of topics. You can learn more on her website: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/work-with-me

Access my free career success guides here: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/lovemyjob

Signed copies can be ordered directly from my website: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/books

Connect:

Instagram: @hellojessess

LinkedIn: Jessica Gazay

Not sure what direction to go or where to start? Learn how to uncover how your natural interests connect to real job roles and career paths you can start exploring and applying for today.

This episode is brought to you by my ‘Brain Dates’ — where we figure out your next move together on a variety of topics. You can learn more on her website: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/work-with-me

Access my free career success guides here: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/lovemyjob

Signed copies can be ordered directly from my website: https://www.jessnessrequired.com/books

Connect:

Instagram: @hellojessess

LinkedIn: Jessica Gazay