The Hiring Confessional

What if your job was to walk into situations most people can’t even imagine?

In this episode of Hiring Confessional, Michael Hayes, recruiting expert and founder of Momentum Hiring Solutions, sat down with Leanne Lesaffre, owner of T.A.C.T. (Trauma and Casualty Team), to talk about a side of work—and life—that rarely gets discussed. From handling extreme environments to working with people on their worst days, this conversation goes far beyond what you’d expect.

But this isn’t just about the job.

We also dive into:

• Why so many people leave jobs after just months
• The truth about “growth” (and why most can’t define it)
• What hiring managers actually look for today
• Why being on time still matters more than ever

Some jobs test your skills. Others test who you are.

🎧 If you’ve ever questioned your career path, work ethic, or what it really takes to grow—this episode will challenge you.

Watch until the end if you want a perspective most people never hear.

👉 Follow for more real conversations about hiring, work, and career growth

💬 What does “growth” actually mean to you?

Why do companies still make bad hires — even after multiple interviews, background checks, and long hiring processes?

In this episode of The Hiring Confessional, Michael Hayes sits down with Russ Law, co-founder and CEO of Verensics, to unpack what most employers, recruiters, and hiring managers still get wrong when it comes to hiring, interviewing, and employee risk.

Russ explains why resumes, references, and standard screening tools often miss the biggest red flags — and how behavioral interviewing, better hiring questions, and AI-assisted tools can help companies make smarter decisions before problems show up on the job.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why bad hires often start with weak interview processes
• What background checks and drug tests fail to reveal
• How AI in hiring can help — without replacing human judgment
• Why too many interviews cost companies strong candidates
• The role of integrity, trust, and culture in hiring
• How companies can reduce turnover, misconduct, and hiring mistakes
• Why leadership often doesn’t realize how broken the hiring process is

They also explore how better screening can uncover behavioral red flags earlier, improve interview conversations, and help employers protect company culture before bigger issues begin.

If you’re a business owner, recruiter, staffing leader, HR professional, or hiring manager, this episode offers practical insight into how to avoid costly hiring mistakes and build a stronger team.

In this candid and practical episode, Michael Hayes sits down with Seann Richardson of Ascentria Search Partners, a national executive search firm specializing in accounting, finance, and C-suite placements. Together, they unpack what’s really happening in today’s hiring market — from AI-written resumes to the subtle interview mistakes that quietly cost candidates the job.

🤖 AI & Hiring
They explore how AI is reshaping resumes, job descriptions, and hiring decisions — and why overusing it can actually hurt your job search. Seann shares her 10-80-10 rule for using AI responsibly and explains why authenticity still matters more than perfectly polished content.

🎙️ Behind the Scenes of Hiring
The conversation dives into the hidden frustrations on both sides of the process:

⏳ How too many interview rounds cause companies to lose top talent
❌ Why recruiters can’t simply “snap their fingers” and land someone a job
🎯 The difference between active and passive candidates
🐢 Why slow internal processes derail great hires
🏢 What hiring managers really think when candidates fail to research the company

🚩 Costly Candidate Mistakes
They also discuss the missteps candidates don’t realize they’re making:

💬 Vague interview answers like “I was underappreciated”
📱 Social media mistakes that quietly eliminate applicants
🔁 Job hopping patterns that raise red flags

👔 Executive-Level Insights
Seann breaks down what executive hiring actually looks like behind the scenes and explains why networking continues to outperform online applications.

📊 Skills That Win Today
In today’s market, communication skills often outweigh technical skills — and skilled trades may become even more valuable in an AI-driven economy.

They also touch on:

🔄 When career pivots make sense — and when they don’t
🌱 How younger candidates can stand out
🌐 Why applying online is rarely the most effective strategy
🤝 The real reason networking works

This is an honest, unfiltered look at hiring from both the employer and candidate perspective — packed with practical advice for navigating today’s evolving job market.

💬 Have a hiring confession or interview horror story? Drop it in the comments.

🔔 Subscribe for monthly conversations about hiring, workplace trends, and real-world career advice.

Today I’m sitting down with Linda Williams — a longtime Phoenix news anchor who spent decades telling the stories behind Arizona’s businesses and workforce.

Now we’re flipping the mic to talk about what really goes on behind the scenes when it comes to hiring, leadership, and the people side of business.