H.I.R.E.D - Help, Inform, Reflect, Empower, Develop

Job searching can be emotionally demanding. Rejections, uncertainty and waiting for the next opportunity can take a toll on confidence and wellbeing. But what if changing your mindset could make the journey a little easier?

In this episode of H.I.R.E.D (Help Inform Reflect Empower Develop), Trevor and Paul are joined by Tomas Jajesnica, also known as @MrMeditate, for a unique conversation about happiness, mindfulness and staying present. In a first for H.I.R.E.D, the discussion takes place while Tomas is driving an Uber, with the conversation naturally extending to an unexpected and insightful exchange with one of his passengers.

Tomas shares practical ideas on reducing stress, finding happiness in the present moment and shifting your mindset from negativity to positivity. For job seekers navigating the highs and lows of the employment market, these simple but powerful strategies can help build resilience and make the journey more manageable.

• Why happiness begins with being present.

• Practical mindfulness techniques for reducing stress.

• How a positive mindset can support your job search.

• Finding resilience during periods of uncertainty.

• A unique in-car conversation that highlights the power of human connection.

• Practical advice for maintaining wellbeing while looking for your next opportunity.

• Happiness

• Mindfulness

• Mental wellbeing

• Job search

• Career resilience

• Stress management

• Personal development

• Positive mindset

• Employment

• Career transition

Whether you're actively searching for your next role, managing career uncertainty or simply looking for ways to reduce stress, this episode offers practical ideas to help you stay focused, resilient and optimistic.

This was (unexpectedly) H.I.R.E.D's final episode of 2025. Trevor and Paul will return with more conversations, guests and practical career insights in 2026.

If you have a question, feedback or an idea for a future episode, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

H.I.R.E.D is an Australian careers podcast helping job seekers, recruiters and employers navigate the world of work through practical advice, meaningful conversations and real-life experiences.

Creating a truly inclusive workplace benefits everyone. For people with disability, finding an employer who values ability over assumptions can be life changing. For organisations, inclusive hiring opens the door to talented people who bring diverse skills, perspectives and experiences.

In this episode of H.I.R.E.D (Help Inform Reflect Empower Develop), Trevor and Paul are joined by Kym Vassiliou, co-founder of EquallyU, to discuss inclusive employment and the opportunities that arise when employers embrace workplace diversity.

Drawing on extensive experience supporting people with disability through coaching, mentoring and employment, Kym shares practical insights, inspiring success stories and lessons from both professional and personal experience. Together, the conversation explores how inclusive recruitment practices can help remove barriers and create better outcomes for job seekers and employers alike.

Whether you're a job seeker, employer, recruiter or someone who supports people with disability, this episode highlights why inclusive hiring isn't just the right thing to do—it's good for people, organisations and communities.

• What makes an employer truly inclusive.

• The barriers people with disability can face when seeking employment.

• Real-life success stories from inclusive workplaces.

• Practical insights into disability employment and workplace support.

• How employers can build more inclusive recruitment practices.

• Why diversity and inclusion strengthen organisations.

• Inclusive employment

• Disability employment

• Workplace inclusion

• Diversity and inclusion

• Accessible recruitment

• Job search

• Career development

• Recruitment

• Employers

• Workplace culture

If you or someone you know is living with disability, or you're interested in creating more inclusive workplaces, this episode offers practical advice, real stories and encouragement for both job seekers and employers.

If you have a question, feedback or an idea for a future episode, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

H.I.R.E.D is an Australian careers podcast helping job seekers, recruiters and employers create a more positive, inclusive and supportive employment experience through practical conversations and real-world insights.

Working from home has transformed the way many people work, but the debate over remote and flexible work continues. Does working from home improve productivity? Why are some organisations encouraging employees back to the office? And how can employers and employees find the right balance?

In this episode of H.I.R.E.D (Help Inform Reflect Empower Develop), Trevor and Paul are joined by Susan Mackay to explore the advantages and challenges of working from home. Drawing on more than a decade of experience leading major digital, mobile and internet banking transformations, Susan shares practical insights into flexible work, leadership and building a successful career while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

As an early adopter of remote work, Susan discusses why trust, adaptability and organisational culture are critical to making flexible work successful. The conversation also explores the benefits of reduced commuting, greater employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and how remote work can broaden an organisation's talent pool.

As always, the discussion is balanced with practical advice, honest opinions and the humour that H.I.R.E.D listeners have come to expect.

• The pros and cons of working from home.

• Why some organisations are encouraging employees back to the office.

• The relationship between remote work and productivity.

• The importance of trust, flexibility and workplace culture.

• How working from home can improve work-life balance.

• The opportunities flexible work creates for people with disabilities and employers seeking broader talent.

• Working from home

• Remote work

• Flexible work

• Hybrid work

• Productivity

• Work-life balance

• Leadership

• Company culture

• Career development

• Future of work

Whether you're working remotely, considering a hybrid role, managing distributed teams or looking for your next career opportunity, this episode offers practical insights into one of the biggest workplace changes of recent years.

If you have a question, feedback or an idea for a future episode, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

H.I.R.E.D is an Australian careers podcast helping job seekers, recruiters and employers navigate today's changing world of work through practical conversations, expert guests and real-world experience.

Ghosting doesn't just affect job seekers. Recruiters also experience candidates who suddenly stop responding, miss interviews or disappear partway through the hiring process. Understanding why this happens can help improve communication, build stronger relationships and create a better recruitment experience for everyone.

In this episode of H.I.R.E.D (Help Inform Reflect Empower Develop), Trevor and Paul are joined by Dean Ellis to explore ghosting from the recruiter's perspective. Building on the previous episode, they discuss why candidates ghost recruiters, the impact this has on the recruitment process, and how both job seekers and recruiters can work together more effectively.

Drawing on years of recruitment experience, Trevor and Dean share practical insights, real-world stories and plenty of humour, while Paul keeps the conversation moving with thoughtful questions and observations. The discussion reinforces a simple principle: putting people first leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.

• Why recruiters are sometimes ghosted by candidates.

• The impact ghosting has on the recruitment process.

• Practical advice for building positive relationships with recruiters.

• Real recruitment stories, lessons and insights.

• Tips to help job seekers communicate professionally throughout the hiring process.

• Why a people-first approach benefits both candidates and recruiters.

• Recruitment

• Ghosting

• Candidate experience

• Recruiters

• Job search

• Employment

• Hiring process

• Communication

• Career advice

• Professional networking

Whether you're new to job seeking or have years of experience navigating the employment market, this episode provides practical advice to help you build stronger relationships with recruiters and better understand the recruitment process from both sides.

You can connect with Dean Ellis on LinkedIn or learn more about Rec4Tech through the company website.

If you have a question, feedback or an idea for a future episode, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

H.I.R.E.D is committed to helping make the job search experience more positive for both job seekers and recruiters—because better conversations lead to better outcomes.

In this episodeTopics covered

Being ghosted during the recruitment process can be one of the most frustrating experiences for a job seeker. After investing time in applications and interviews, receiving no response from an employer or recruiter can leave candidates feeling undervalued, uncertain and discouraged.

In this episode of H.I.R.E.D (Help Inform Reflect Empower Develop), Trevor and Paul are joined by Stephen Holland to explore ghosting from a job seeker's perspective. Together they discuss why ghosting happens, the impact it has on candidates, and practical, positive ways job seekers can respond without losing confidence in their search.

The conversation also looks at how respectful communication can improve the recruitment experience for everyone involved and why small changes can make a significant difference.

• What ghosting in recruitment looks like.

• Why employers and recruiters sometimes stop communicating with candidates.

• The impact ghosting has on job seekers.

• Positive strategies for responding to ghosting during your job search.

• How better communication can improve the recruitment process.

• Details of an exciting competition for H.I.R.E.D listeners.

• Ghosting

• Recruitment

• Job search

• Candidate experience

• Recruitment communication

• Interview process

• Employment

• Career resilience

• Recruiters

• Job seeker advice

Whether you're applying for jobs, waiting to hear back after an interview, or supporting someone through their job search, this episode offers practical advice and encouragement to help you stay positive and focused.

If you have a question, feedback or an idea for a future episode, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

Together, we can help create a better experience for job seekers.

Ageism remains one of the most overlooked barriers in the job market. Whether you're an experienced professional looking for your next opportunity or an employer seeking the best talent, age-based bias can have a significant impact on careers, confidence and hiring decisions.

In this episode of H.I.R.E.D (Help Inform Reflect Empower Develop), Trevor and Paul explore the realities of ageism in recruitment and employment. They are joined by Margaret Gilbert, who shares her personal experiences, stories and trademark sense of humor while discussing the challenges older job seekers can face and the value that experience brings to the workplace.

This conversation encourages employers to look beyond age and reminds job seekers that experience, resilience and adaptability remain highly valuable qualities.

• What ageism looks like in today's job market.

• How age bias affects job seekers and recruitment.

• Margaret Gilbert's personal experiences navigating ageism.

• The value experienced professionals bring to organisations.

• Practical encouragement for job seekers facing age-related barriers.

• Ageism

• Recruitment

• Hiring bias

• Job search

• Career transition

• Older workers

• Workplace diversity

• Employment

• Interviewing

• Career resilience

Whether you're applying for jobs, preparing for interviews, expanding your professional network, or simply trying to stay positive during your job search, H.I.R.E.D is here to provide practical advice, honest conversations and encouragement.

If you have a question, feedback or an idea for a future episode, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

In this episodeTopics covered

Losing your job can be one of life's most challenging experiences. Whether you've been made redundant, unexpectedly lost your role, or are struggling to find your next opportunity, the emotional impact can be just as significant as the financial one.

In the very first episode of H.I.R.E.D (Help Inform Reflect Empower Develop), Trevor and Paul discuss the reality of job loss, the challenges facing today's employment market, and why it's important to be kind to yourself during your job search.

This conversation explores the emotional side of unemployment, the pressures many job seekers place on themselves, and the importance of maintaining perspective while navigating an often difficult and uncertain recruitment process.

• The emotional impact of losing your job.

• Why redundancy and unemployment can affect more than just your career.

• Some of the challenges facing today's job market.

• Why self-compassion is an important part of a successful job search.

• Practical encouragement for people navigating career transition.

• Job loss

• Redundancy

• Job search

• Career transition

• Employment

• Recruitment

• Mental wellbeing

• Career resilience

• Finding a new job

• Job seeker advice

If you've recently lost your job, are returning to the workforce, or are supporting someone through career change, this episode offers practical encouragement and a reminder that setbacks don't define your future.

H.I.R.E.D (Help Inform Reflect Empower Develop) is an Australian careers podcast where Trevor and Paul explore the realities of job seeking, recruitment, career development and employment through practical conversations, expert guests and real-world experience.

In this episodeTopics covered