Career Warrior Podcast

AI resume builders are everywhere. And while they promise the “perfect resume in 2 minutes,” something interesting is happening in the job market: resumes are starting to look exactly the same.

In this episode, Chris Villanueva, Founder and CEO of Let’s Eat, Grandma, breaks down what recruiters are actually seeing right now—and why the rise of AI-generated resumes is creating a huge opportunity for job seekers who know how to stand out.

Chris shares his firsthand observations from reviewing resumes and testing popular AI resume tools. While many of these platforms offer slick interfaces and impressive keyword optimization, they often produce documents that feel generic, keyword-heavy, and lacking the one thing that actually gets interviews: a compelling human story.

You’ll learn why relying too heavily on AI can hurt your chances, what mistakes many AI-generated resumes make, and how to craft a resume that cuts through the noise.

If you’re serious about landing interviews in today’s competitive market, this episode will show you how to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why many AI-generated resumes are starting to look identical
• The biggest weaknesses of AI resume builders
• Why keyword optimization alone isn’t enough
• The difference between responsibilities and real accomplishments
• How recruiters spot generic resumes immediately
• Why your story and context matter more than ever
• Practical ways to make your resume uniquely yours

Key Takeaway: AI can help with editing and formatting, but it can’t replace your personal story, context, and achievements. The only way to beat the competition is to stand out—and that means going deeper than keywords and templates.

Free Resume Critique: If you want expert eyes on your resume, head over to letseatgrandma.com and request your free resume critique.

Unlike many tools out there, our critiques are done by real experts—not AI. You’ll also get subscribed to our newsletter for practical job search insights and updates on how hiring technology is changing.

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Your Job Search: Effort Doesn’t Guarantee Results | Fix Your Mentality First

When ambitious professionals hit a plateau, the instinct is simple: work harder. Add more hours. Push through.

But according to my next guest, Diana Pagano, that reflex often backfires.

She argues that “work harder” is often a learned pattern that keeps people busy, burned out, and stuck. In today’s careers, knowing when to stop or pull back is a competitive advantage—not a weakness.

Diana is the author of The More Mindset. A first-generation Mexican American and former single mother, she spent years working seven days a week to survive—before realizing those same patterns were limiting her growth. After rewiring them, she became an international speaker and executive leader driving 500% revenue growth.

Today, she coaches executives and founders on the cognitive habits that shape career growth—and why effort alone eventually stops working.

Setting the Stage

People want more—especially listeners of this show (myself included). But when does that drive start working against you?

Chris shares how it’s often harder to stop than to start, especially for Career Warriors—constantly adding more, rarely pulling back.

Diana, you’ve lived this—working nonstop before realizing it was holding you back. What were those patterns, and how did you rewire them?

What We’ll Cover

• Why knowing when to stop is a competitive advantage—not a weakness
• How to recognize when it’s time to stop pushing and recalibrate
• Advice for job seekers: when to persist vs. when to pivot
• The difference between unhealthy career spiraling and productive reflection
• ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts): what they are and how they fuel career spiraling—and the antidote
• How to hit goals (even in sales-driven roles) without simply working harder
• What AI can never replicate in your career

Resources & Links

• Order Diana’s book, The More Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/More-Mindset-Mental-Extraordinary-Results/dp/1394388683/
• Connect with Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-pagano/
• Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-villanueva-cprw/
• Let’s Eat, Grandma — Resume writing services to help you stand out with clarity and confidence

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This episode is for our Career Warrior Women. Since 2004, Dr. Lois P. Frankel’s New York Times bestseller has been an essential resource for women seeking advice and empowerment to stop sabotaging their careers and get ahead in the workplace. This completely updated and revised vital new 3rd edition is everything a modern working girl needs to get what she wants.

Though the workplace looks different than it did twenty years ago, women still face considerable challenges that men do not.

In today’s episode, we discuss talking points from the 3rd edition of Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office, Dr. Lois P. Frankel teaches you how to reject the “nice girl” mentality, which manifests as a distinctive set of behaviors learned in girlhood that ultimately sabotage you as an adult, and still exists in today’s modern workplace. We’ll bring unconscious mistakes that could be holding you back in your career. Mistakes such as:

Mistake #4: Believing Negative Self-Talk. Counter negative messages with positive ones.

Mistake #26: Fear of Coming Across too Strong. Don’t dumb down, shut down, or tone down–be assertive! 

Mistake #32: Not Calling Attention to Wins. You did the work, now let the people know.

Mistake #55: Poor Boundaries. If you’re going to work from home, set boundaries.

Mistake #85: Doing Instead of Leading. Picking up others’ slack becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Mistake #70: Allowing “Bropriation.” Never allow someone to claim your idea as their own.

You have the power to take control of your career without being controlling, to speak your mind while still being respected, and to chase your ambitions without fear or shame.

Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Nice-Girls-Dont-Corner-Office/dp/1455546046

Connect with Dr. Lois Frankel on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drloisfrankel

Thanks for tuning in!

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AI is everywhere in the job search—and it’s being marketed like crazy. But if you’ve tried using it, you know the truth: it’s confusing, overwhelming, and easy to misuse.

In this episode of the Career Warrior Podcast, Chris Villanueva—Founder & CEO of Let’s Eat, Grandma—pulls back the curtain on how to use AI responsibly and strategically in your job search without losing your voice, your sanity, or your results.

Chris breaks down where AI is powerful, where it’s dangerous, and how job seekers should actually be using tools like ChatGPT across their resume, cover letters, and outreach—especially as ATS systems continue to evolve.

You’ll hear real, practical examples, including:

• How to use AI for job search lead generation
• How AI fits into a smart job search strategy (and where it absolutely doesn’t)
• A breakdown of advanced search tactics (including sourcing decision-makers) and how to ethically use that data
• How to ask AI where you should apply if you’re feeling unclear or stuck
• Using AI to check spelling, expose keyword gaps, and identify the right titles and nouns recruiters look for
• How to tailor resume summaries and cover letters for specific roles without sounding robotic
• When AI helps creativity—and when it quietly sabotages your chances

Chris also shares updates on how ATS systems are changing, what job seekers need to do differently in 2026, and why relying too heavily on AI can actually reduce intent and callbacks.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

👉 Get a free resume critique at letseatgrandma.com—reviewed by real experts, not AI. (You’ll also be subscribed to our newsletter for ongoing job search insights.)

AI isn’t the enemy. But using it blindly might be.

GOOGLE QUERY EXAMPLE IN THE EPISODE: site:Linkedin.com/in "VP of Operations" "Austin" "@gmail.com" OR "@yahoo.com” OR “@hotmail.com” OR “@outlook.com” OR “@aol.com” OR “@icloud.com"

CHATGPT QUERY EXAMPLE FROM THE EPISODE: Format the data below into a table with these columns: Full name, Company name, Website URL, Email, Phone Number

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Most leaders strive for this praise but are thrown into the deep end - responsible for up to 260 meetings a year and expected to know how to motivate teams, navigate tough conversations, and drive results with little guidance. 

This episode is all about becoming leadership. So if you’re trying to step into a new role or even just become a better boss, this episode is for you. 

Today’s guest is Ashley Herd, former Head of HR North America at McKinsey, national keynote speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice who has trained over 250,000 managers.

She has a new book coming out tomorrow, February 6th entitled, The Manager Method: A Practical Framework to Lead, Support, and Get Results (February 10, 2026 // Hay House), she helps managers at every level lead with confidence, navigate challenges, build strong teams, and avoid burnout.

Topics we explore in this episode:

•  Major challenges that managers face
• Why you should challenge yourself to become a better leader. Shouldn’t real world experience be enough?
• How a career quilt, a collection of career experiences, can shape you as a leader.
• How the “Pause–Consider–Act” framework helps managers lead with confidence
• Why leaders NEED to take time off
• Ways a manager can stop micromanaging while keeping accountability high
• How AI can make leaders more human by improving communication, time management, and connection

Resources Mentioned

• ORDER ASHLEY’S BOOK, THE MANAGER METHOD: Managermethod.com/book
• Connect on LinkedIn with Ashley Herd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyherd/
• Connect with Chris, the host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-villanueva-cprw/
• Let’s Eat, Grandma — Resume writing services to help you stand out with clarity and confidence.

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AI tools are everywhere. Resume templates are getting longer. Applications are easier than ever to submit. And yet—fewer people are getting interviews.

In this episode of the Career Warrior Podcast, we break down what’s quietly going wrong on modern resumes—and why “doing what everyone else is doing” is now working against you.

You’ll hear how well-intentioned strategies are backfiring, why more effort doesn’t always mean better results, and how the job search has shifted in ways most professionals haven’t fully adjusted to yet. We’ll also talk about where candidates are losing credibility without realizing it and what actually cuts through the noise in today’s crowded market.

If you’re a mid-to-senior level professional applying for roles and wondering why your resume isn’t opening doors like it used to, this episode will help you recalibrate before you waste another month applying the same way.

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As we kick off a new year, it’s not enough to hope things get better at work—you need a plan.

In this episode, we break down 5 practical ways to hit the ground running, whether you’re staying put, eyeing a promotion, or quietly preparing for your next move. The job market has shifted, managers are stretched thin, and “business as usual” career advice no longer cuts it. This is about being intentional, strategic, and realistic.

You’ll learn how to:

• Have a clear, adult conversation with your boss about intent—without making it awkward or risky
• Revisit your accomplishments (even the messy ones) and turn last year into leverage
• Use a simple Start / Stop / Continue exercise to create momentum fast
• Set income goals that don’t rely solely on your current job
• Identify roles you actually want—and talk to insiders who can help you get there

If you’re job seeking, we’ll also cover one of the most powerful (and underused) networking questions you can ask—and how to set the intention so people actually help you.

Get more help on your applications from Let’s Eat, Grandma

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Are you feeling stuck, overworked, or like your career is moving without intention? In this episode, I sit down with George Appling, author of Don’t Settle: A Pick-Your-Path Guide to Intentional Work, to explore how you can design a career that actually fits your values, strengths, and goals.

We dive into questions like:

• How do you know if you’re settling in your career—and what to do about it?
• What are the five paths most people overlook when choosing work?
• Can “following your passion” actually be bad advice?
• How can you make intentional career choices without burning out or overthinking?

George shares actionable insights, real-life stories, and the framework he used to build a meaningful career on his own terms. By the end, you’ll walk away inspired to take control of your work, rethink your options, and pick the path that’s right for you.

Learn more about George Appling and his book here:

George Appling – Website

Don’t Settle – Pick-Your-Path Guide to Intentional Work

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This is the Let’s Eat, Grandma Career Warrior Podcast, where our goal is not only to help you land your dream job but to help you live your best life! Today we’re going to talk about why the End of the Year Is One of the Best Times to Get Hired.

But today we’re not just here to talk about December and timing. This episode will cover ways to get competitive in a time when you think there are no opportunities. We’ll cover AI, the current job market, and common mistakes people are making at this time. 

My next podcast guest is a gem and his mission is to knock down stories that are holding people back. 

Dr. Eric Woodard is a career and leadership strategist who has helped more than 10,000 professionals across 70 countries build confidence and clarity in their job search.

He is the founder of Win at Work, a Washington, DC–based coaching firm that helps professionals land better jobs, faster. Eric also has a fascinating background, having served in roles at the White House, the U.S. Senate, the State Department, and the Smithsonian Institution. He is recognized as a Master Certified Coach (MCC) by the International Coaching Federation.

Questions we explore in this episode:

• How can professionals stay confident when the job market feels uncertain or discouraging?
• What are the most common blind spots holding high-achievers back in their careers?
• What mindset shifts matter most when transitioning industries, leveling up, or reinventing yourself?
• How can candidates manage stress and self-doubt during interviews?
• What does effective career strategy actually look like today?
• What are Eric’s “Win at Work” principles—and how can you apply them immediately?
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Resources Mentioned

• Let’s Eat, Grandma — Resume writing services to help you stand out with clarity and confidence.
• Dr. Eric Woodard — Learn more about his coaching work, free consultations, and career development resources at WinAtWork.io.
• Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericwoodard/

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Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are evolving fast — and job seekers need to keep up. In this episode, Chris Villanueva, CEO of Let’s Eat, Grandma Resume Service, breaks down how AI is reshaping the way resumes are read, ranked, and filtered before they ever reach human eyes.

You’ll learn how to write a resume for ATS that actually gets noticed — from using the right keywords and phrasing to emphasizing measurable results that align with modern AI algorithms. Chris also reveals how tools like Workday and Greenhouse are changing the hiring process and what this means for your job search strategy moving forward.

Don’t let outdated advice cost you interviews.

Tune in to learn the new rules of resume writing in the age of AI — and if you’re ready to see how your resume stacks up, get a free expert critique at letseatgrandma.com.

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