Career & Leadership Real Talk

In this episode, we break down what to expect at each stage of the interview process for senior roles, from initial screening to final rounds. Having supported countless job search & outplacement clients through successful job searches, we share insider knowledge on how recruiters and hiring managers think at each stage and what they're really looking for.

Key points from this episode

• Understanding the three core questions organisations need to answer during a recruitment process
• How to ace initial screening calls, even when they come unexpectedly
• Why the first formal interview is crucial for demonstrating capability and standing out against other candidates
• What really happens at final stage interviews and why being asked to meet the team is usually a positive sign
• How to shift your mindset to approach each stage with confidence

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:40 Understanding Initial Screenings

09:01 Preparing for the First Formal Interview

15:07 Navigating Later Stages of the Interview Process

21:30 Final Tips and Conclusion

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

The episode on Acing Interview Presentations

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent.

In this episode, we tackle the often misunderstood topic of mentoring and how to make it work for your career development. We explore why the traditional view of mentoring might be limiting your growth and share practical steps for finding and approaching potential mentors.

Key points from this episode

• Common misconceptions about what mentoring looks like and how it can work
• Why you don't need to find one "perfect" mentor with the complete package
• How to identify what you actually need from a mentor
• Practical approaches to finding and securing mentors that won't make you cringe

00:00 Introduction and Common Misconceptions About Mentoring

02:29 Different Ways Mentoring Can Work

04:00 Rethinking What Mentoring Looks Like

07:00 Self-Assessment and Preparation

13:00 Finding Potential Mentors

15:00 Making Successful Approaches

21:00 Final Tips and Key Takeaways

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent.

In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest challenges leaders face: implementing culture change without losing your team (or your sanity) along the way. If you've ever been tasked with driving change or found yourself wondering why culture initiatives seem to fizzle out, this conversation is a must-listen.

Our guest expert Paula Brockwell, an occupational psychologist who specialises in shaping productive workplace cultures, reveals why most organisations drastically underestimate what it takes to make change stick - and more importantly, what you can do about it.

Key points from this episode

• The truth about how long real culture change takes (hint: it's not 6 months)
• Why being the "sunshine and rainbows" leader during change can actually backfire
• A practical framework for diagnosing and addressing resistance in your team
• How to maintain credibility when you don't have all the answers
• The most common mistake leaders make when communicating change

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

02:00 Understanding Culture Change Timelines

• Realistic expectations for implementation
• Why quick fixes don't work
• The importance of systematic change

07:00 Leadership Responsibilities During Change

• Making change feel real and practical for teams
• Having crucial conversations about the 'why'
• Managing when you don't have all the answers

14:00 The Four Blocks to Change

• Not seeing the reason for change
• Thinking others need to change (not me)
• Lacking confidence
• Missing opportunities to implement change

19:00 Creating Safe Spaces for Learning

• Allowing mistakes and recovery
• Building momentum gradually
• Supporting team members through transition

23:00 Final Advice and Leadership Support

• Finding your leadership tribe
• Breaking echo chambers
• Maintaining authentic communication

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Connect with Paula:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulabrockwell/

www.theexproject.com

https://www.youtube.com/@spark-culture-change

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent.

In this episode, we tackle the often-misunderstood topic of emotional intelligence (EQ) and provide practical ways to develop it as a leader. We explore how EQ differs from personality traits and share actionable strategies to enhance your emotional awareness and leadership effectiveness.

Key points from this episode

• Understanding the difference between personality traits and emotional intelligence
• The five key areas of emotional intelligence and how they build upon each other
• Why responding rather than reacting is crucial for emotional intelligence
• Practical strategies for developing self-awareness and emotional management

00:00 Introduction to Emotional Intelligence

00:34 Understanding Emotional Intelligence

02:47 Challenges in Developing Emotional Intelligence

04:08 Five Key Areas of Emotional Intelligence

12:13 Practical Strategies for Self-Perception

17:26 Practical Strategies for Self-Expression

20:30 Practical Strategies for Interpersonal Skills

25:46 Practical Strategies for Decision Making

28:53 Practical Strategies for Stress Management

31:28 Conclusion and Next Steps

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent.

If you've ever been tasked with facilitating a session to generate ideas and get people into a creative headspace you might well have wondered where to start - that was the situation one listener was in

So today we're sharing an approach that can help with making sure you get people contributing whilst also enjoying themselves within an idea generation session

Key points from this episode

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast

00:31 Setting Up an Innovation Session

01:00 Understanding the Purpose and Outcomes

02:19 Challenges with Participant Dynamics

04:55 Facilitation Techniques for Creativity

06:08 Encouraging Participation from All Members

06:48 Using Prompts to Spark Ideas

08:38 Evaluating and Discussing Ideas

10:04 Creating a Collaborative Environment

11:06 Adopting Different Roles for Idea Evaluation

12:05 The Impact of Diverse Perspectives

13:37 Decision Making and Buy-In

16:32 Facilitation Skills for Leaders

20:23 Creating Psychological Safety

22:41 Conclusion and Further Resources

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website



Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent.

Struggling with the ins and outs of job hunting and career growth? In this episode, we're tackling some real questions that have come up for our listeners and clients lately - the kind of stuff that's probably on your mind too if you're looking to level up your career.

00:00 Introduction to This Week's Episode

00:47 Should You Send a Thank You Note After an Interview?

05:37 Applying for Senior Positions from Lower Roles

12:17 Tailoring Applications for Generic Job Descriptions

20:12 Conclusion and Upcoming Career Clinic Sessions

Register for the next Career Clinic Session

Key points from this episode

• The controversial truth about thank-you notes after interviews - are they really necessary?
• Our advice for applying for more senior roles when you're in a junior position
• How to decode generic job adverts and tailor your CV to stand out from the crowd
• Strategies for uncovering valuable job information that isn't in the description
• A sneak peek into our monthly career clinic and how it could support your career growth

Useful Links

Episode 93 On assessing your level using the competency framework

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

In this episode, we're joined by special guest Katy Walton, an expert in learning and development. We explore the crucial topic of how leaders can stand out by effectively developing others. Katy shares invaluable insights on the benefits of investing in your team's growth and practical strategies to overcome common barriers to development.

Key points from this episode:

• The immediate benefits of developing others, including increased engagement and performance
• How developing your team can boost your reputation and career prospects
• Simple strategies to start developing others, even with limited time
• The EPIC framework for diverse development opportunities beyond traditional courses
• The joy and lasting impact of helping others grow in their careers

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

02:29 Benefits of Developing Others as a Leader

06:53 Starting Small: Simple Strategies for Development

13:26 Overcoming Common Barriers to Developing Others

19:00 Prioritizing Development and Understanding Individual Motivations

25:37 The EPIC Framework for Development Opportunities

31:32 Key Tips for Leaders to Improve Their Ability to Develop Others

36:37 Closing Remarks and How to Connect with Katy Walton

Download the One Page Summary from Katy

Useful Links

Connect with Katy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-walton-make-real-progress/

Get in touch with Katy via her website, Make Real Progress: https://makerealprogress.co.uk/

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent.

If you're at a point in your career where you're asking yourself "Is this it?" or if you know you've got more to give but aren't sure how to tap into that potential, this episode is for you.

We're sharing our process from working with clients to create career clarity. Whether you're considering a job change, eyeing a promotion, or just want to feel more purposeful in your current role, we'll share practical steps to help you move forward with confidence

Key points from this episode

00:00 Introduction and importance of career clarity

01:00 Signs you might need career clarity

03:00 The impact of lacking career clarity

06:00 Step 1: Assessing where you are now

09:00 Step 2: Focusing on positives, values, and strengths

13:00 Step 3: Creating your career vision

18:00 Step 4: Developing and revisiting your career plan

22:00 The importance of following the full process

25:00 Benefits of getting support in gaining career clarity

27:00 Conclusion and resources for further support

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent.

In this episode, we tackle the challenge of being strategic when the business itself isn't. We explore the common scenario many leaders face: trying to make strategic decisions and contributions in an environment lacking clear direction or communication. Join us as we discuss the frustrations this can cause and share practical strategies

Key points from this episode

• Scenarios where businesses may lack clear strategy or communication
• The emotional and practical impacts of working in a strategically unclear environment
• How to create clarity for yourself when the business direction is unclear
• Techniques for managing up and influencing strategic conversations

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

00:26 Identifying the Problem: Lack of Business Strategy

02:29 Emotional Impact and Symptoms

05:37 Considering Job Search and Seeking Clarity

06:53 Tips for Creating Clarity and Direction

14:21 Managing Up and Effective Communication

16:37 Final Advice and Conclusion

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent.

Celebrating 100 Episodes: Reflections and Top Picks

Join us for this special milestone episode as we celebrate our 100th podcast episode! We reflect on our journey, the feedback we've received, and the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into making each episode.

Discover the story behind how our podcast started almost by accident and listen as we share our top five favorite episodes, packed with invaluable career advice and personal anecdotes.

00:00 Welcome to the 100th Episode Celebration!

01:19 The Story Behind Our Podcast Journey

02:18 From Internal Resource to Public Podcast

05:01 Collaborations and Catalyst Careers

07:41 The Power of Reflection and Balcony of Ideas

11:08 Introducing Catalyst Career Club

12:34 Top Five Episodes and Their Impact

22:58 Coping with a Micromanager Boss

25:19 Thank You and What's Next

Playlist of Episodes

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent.