Episode 304 - In this episode of The Job Hunting Podcast, TV journalist and confidence coach Ashleigh Paholek shares how to project authority and trust in interviews, presentations, and boardrooms. From mastering silence to improving your virtual presence, these strategies will help you influence with confidence — even when you don’t feel it. 

I coach experienced professionals who are navigating a turbulent job market. When we start working together, some things are easier and faster to update: resumes get polished, LinkedIn profiles refreshed, and applications start converting to interviews. Yet they remain puzzled by a frustrating reality: despite their decades of experience, they are struggling to get traction with their interviews, network, and even with their employers once they start working.

It’s tempting to point to market forces. Hiring freezes, cautious budgets, and a glut of qualified applicants are real obstacles. But a quieter, more personal factor often separates the candidates who advance from those who do not: executive presence. And this is when working with a coach for a few months can help. https://www.renatabernarde.com/

In a recent conversation with Ashleigh Paholek, an experienced television journalist and communications expert, I was reminded how little this skill is discussed and how much it matters. Our talk reinforced something I’ve seen in my coaching practice: career opportunities often hinge less on what you say than on how you say it.

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Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 05:17 The Journey from Journalism to Coaching
• 10:21 Understanding Confidence: Internal vs External
• 15:17 The Importance of Conciseness in Communication
• 20:12 Voice and Tone: The Power of Nonverbal Communication
• 25:27 Body Language and Its Impact on Perception
• 30:17 The Role of Appearance in Job Interviews
• 35:14 Final Thoughts on Building Confidence

Links mentioned in this episode:

• The Social Day Club, where I met Ashleigh Paholek
• Ashleigh's website

About the host, Renata Bernarde

Hello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress. 

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