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Career Gems is back, and so is the straight talk. After 15 years in talent acquisition, Merete has been in the room when hiring decisions are made, and the real reason someone doesn't get the job is rarely what they think.

In this relaunch episode, she shares the top 3 things that actually get people hired:

• Why it's rarely the most qualified person who gets the offer
• How the informal moments around the interview matter as much as the interview itself
• Why being memorable for the right reason closes more offers than being perfect

The Hire Learning segment kicks off this week. What career or hiring question have you never gotten a straight answer to? Send it in, and it could make it on air.

Send your Hire Learning question as a voice note here.  

Resource References: 

• Hire Learning: Have a career question? Send it in, and it could be answered on the show: speakpipe.com/MereteFields
• Free guide: 5 Signs You Are Ready for Your Next Move
• About Merete: Merete (pronounced Merit) is a SHRM-SCP certified HR leader with 15+ years of experience and the founder of Career Gems. Having worked as both a recruiter and an HR practitioner, she helps mid-career professional women, including women of color, make confident career moves and advocate for themselves. 

MereteFields.com | @meretefields

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Wondering how to stand out from the crowd, or what recruiters are looking for? Wonder no more!

This series is all about how to get a competitive edge in the job market. I sat down with Dionne Letts, an Amazon recruiter at the time of recording, who shares all the details on what recruiters look for in candidates.

Guest: Dionne Letts | @yepirecruit

Resource References: 

• Hire Learning: Have a career question? Send it in, and it could be answered on the show: speakpipe.com/MereteFields
• Free guide: 5 Signs You Are Ready for Your Next Move
• About Merete: Merete (pronounced Merit) is a SHRM-SCP certified HR leader with 15+ years of experience and the founder of Career Gems. Having worked as both a recruiter and an HR practitioner, she helps mid-career professional women, including women of color, make confident career moves and advocate for themselves. 

MereteFields.com | @meretefields

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Sometimes the red flags are glaringly obvious, but we find a way to excuse terrible behavior and give someone the benefit of the doubt, even when they do not deserve it.

In this episode, I talk with Lauren Lake about how to recognize red flags and how to avoid them.

Guest: Lauren Lake @laurenlakeesq | Working With Lauren

Resource References: 

• Hire Learning: Have a career question? Send it in, and it could be answered on the show: speakpipe.com/MereteFields
• Free guide: 5 Signs You Are Ready for Your Next Move
• About Merete: Merete (pronounced Merit) is a SHRM-SCP certified HR leader with 15+ years of experience and the founder of Career Gems. Having worked as both a recruiter and an HR practitioner, she helps mid-career professional women, including women of color, make confident career moves and advocate for themselves. 

MereteFields.com | @meretefields

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The market is saturated with coaches, so how do you know which one is the right fit, or whether coaching is even beneficial for you?

I sat down with Cat Marte, who shares the benefits of coaching.

Guest: Cat Marte @iamcatmarte | https://linktr.ee/itsthegoodlifeco

Resource References: 

• Hire Learning: Have a career question? Send it in, and it could be answered on the show: speakpipe.com/MereteFields
• Free guide: 5 Signs You Are Ready for Your Next Move
• About Merete: Merete (pronounced Merit) is a SHRM-SCP certified HR leader with 15+ years of experience and the founder of Career Gems. Having worked as both a recruiter and an HR practitioner, she helps mid-career professional women, including women of color, make confident career moves and advocate for themselves. 

MereteFields.com | @meretefields

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Fall is the time of year to reflect on whether you are truly professionally happy, and the first place most of us go is LinkedIn.

But how do you reach out to people you have not spoken to in years? And with all the daily updates and changes, are you even using LinkedIn correctly? I talk all things LinkedIn with Cynthia Pong.

Guest: Cynthia Pong @cynthiapong | https://www.embracechange.nyc/

Resource References: 

• Hire Learning: Have a career question? Send it in, and it could be answered on the show: speakpipe.com/MereteFields
• Free guide: 5 Signs You Are Ready for Your Next Move
• About Merete: Merete (pronounced Merit) is a SHRM-SCP certified HR leader with 15+ years of experience and the founder of Career Gems. Having worked as both a recruiter and an HR practitioner, she helps mid-career professional women, including women of color, make confident career moves and advocate for themselves. 

MereteFields.com | @meretefields

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Companies are starting to realize they need to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, or they will be out of talent.

I had the privilege of interviewing Adriele Parker, a DEI thought partner with over 13 years of combined experience in DEI strategy, recruiting, learning and development, career development, and coaching. She specializes in agile DEI strategy, inclusive leadership development, employee resource groups (ERGs), and inclusive team dynamics, with a particular interest in building inclusive workplaces and reducing systemic barriers.

In our chat, she talks about why representation matters and what to do to push your organization when it is missing.

Guest: Adriele Parker @adrieleparker | https://linktr.ee/adrieleparker

Resource References: 

• Hire Learning: Have a career question? Send it in, and it could be answered on the show: speakpipe.com/MereteFields
• Free guide: 5 Signs You Are Ready for Your Next Move
• About Merete: Merete (pronounced Merit) is a SHRM-SCP certified HR leader with 15+ years of experience and the founder of Career Gems. Having worked as both a recruiter and an HR practitioner, she helps mid-career professional women, including women of color, make confident career moves and advocate for themselves. 

MereteFields.com | @meretefields

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Working, working, and working, but not feeling fulfilled and need to keep your job? This episode is especially for you.

I spoke with Carolyn Pitt, an Intellectual Property and Entertainment Attorney with significant experience in Human Capital Management Consulting, Strategy, and Business Development. She previously practiced law at Alston & Bird LLP, earned her BS in Psychology from Vanderbilt University, and received her JD from American University's Washington College of Law.

Carolyn is also the Founder and CEO of Productions.com, a job marketplace for production professionals that connects studios, music labels, and corporate brands to vetted local production talent. She shares how she used all of her passions to pursue entrepreneurship while still working her 9-5. Learn how to work full time while also finding alignment with your passions.

Guest: Carolyn Pitt @pittesque | Work With Productions | @workwithproductions | Productions.com

Resource References: 

• Hire Learning: Have a career question? Send it in, and it could be answered on the show: speakpipe.com/MereteFields
• Free guide: 5 Signs You Are Ready for Your Next Move
• About Merete: Merete (pronounced Merit) is a SHRM-SCP certified HR leader with 15+ years of experience and the founder of Career Gems. Having worked as both a recruiter and an HR practitioner, she helps mid-career professional women, including women of color, make confident career moves and advocate for themselves. 

MereteFields.com | @meretefields

Send us Fan Mail

Ever wanted to change careers and start in a new industry but felt it was too late? There is no such thing.

I spoke with marketing professional Brandon Delesline about how he successfully transitioned careers, and he shares tips on how you can too. At the time of recording, Brandon was head of DEI Marketing at Twitch, building brand campaigns that reflect the diverse communities on the global streaming platform.

Guest: Brandon Delesline | LinkedIn: @brandondelesline

Resource References: 

• Hire Learning: Have a career question? Send it in, and it could be answered on the show: speakpipe.com/MereteFields
• Free guide: 5 Signs You Are Ready for Your Next Move
• About Merete: Merete (pronounced Merit) is a SHRM-SCP certified HR leader with 15+ years of experience and the founder of Career Gems. Having worked as both a recruiter and an HR practitioner, she helps mid-career professional women, including women of color, make confident career moves and advocate for themselves. 

MereteFields.com | @meretefields

Send us Fan Mail

We are living in a world where entrepreneurship is highlighted so heavily that sometimes we forget a 9-5 is still poppin'!

I spoke with experienced HR professional Kirsten Norwood about just this topic. Kirsten is a journalist by trade, an HR professional by passion, and the host of the All Things Career podcast.

Guest: Kirsten Norwood | All Things Career podcast | @kirstendnorwood

Resource References: 

• Hire Learning: Have a career question? Send it in, and it could be answered on the show: speakpipe.com/MereteFields
• Free guide: 5 Signs You Are Ready for Your Next Move
• About Merete: Merete (pronounced Merit) is a SHRM-SCP certified HR leader with 15+ years of experience and the founder of Career Gems. Having worked as both a recruiter and an HR practitioner, she helps mid-career professional women, including women of color, make confident career moves and advocate for themselves. 

MereteFields.com | @meretefields

Send us Fan Mail

Why does representation matter, and how do you make sure you are focusing on it in your professional life?

I spoke with Dr. Antoinette Liles, a talented Doctor of Dental Medicine who opened her own dental practice in Pearl, MS. Dr. Liles takes great pride in her journey of becoming a dentist and owning her practice. She is a first-generation college student, a proud HBCU graduate, and the first doctor in her family.

Guest: Dr. Antoinette Liles

Resource References: 

• Hire Learning: Have a career question? Send it in, and it could be answered on the show: speakpipe.com/MereteFields
• Free guide: 5 Signs You Are Ready for Your Next Move
• About Merete: Merete (pronounced Merit) is a SHRM-SCP certified HR leader with 15+ years of experience and the founder of Career Gems. Having worked as both a recruiter and an HR practitioner, she helps mid-career professional women, including women of color, make confident career moves and advocate for themselves. 

MereteFields.com | @meretefields