In this jam-packed episode, Doris and Regina sit down with Joel Schwan, talent strategist and founder of Schwan Stratifyer, to unpack the realities of today’s competitive job market. With AI-written resumes flooding employers’ inboxes, layoffs reshaping industries, and recruiters turning to new tools, job seekers need fresh strategies to get noticed.

Joel shares insider advice on how to:

• Write resumes that stand out without sounding generic.
• Use measurable results and bullet points that showcase true value.
• Leverage AI tools like ChatGPT wisely—without copying and pasting.
• Tailor keywords for applicant tracking systems (ATS) while keeping authenticity.
• Transition careers by highlighting transferrable skills (like moving from hospitality to nursing).
• Optimize your LinkedIn profile and use the “Open to Work” banner effectively.
• Post on LinkedIn in ways that demonstrate expertise, not desperation.

The conversation goes beyond resumes to touch on mindset, professionalism, and how to treat job seeking like a full-time role. Plus, Joel leaves us with a teaser for part two—helping hiring managers simplify their process and find the right candidates faster.

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Joel Schwan on LinkedIn
• Contact the hosts: LeadersPodcast@gmail.com
• Watch this episode on YouTube (and don’t forget to like & subscribe!)

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• • Email: regina@collectivegrowthcc.com
  • Website: https://www.collectivegrowthcc.com
  • Newsletter subscription: https://collectivegrowthcc.com/resources#blog
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
  • Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• • Email: doris@dunnwise.com
  • Website: https://www.dunnwise.com
  • Newsletter subscription: https://www.dunnwise.com/blog
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
  • Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call
• Joel:
• • Website: https://www.schwanstratifyr.com/
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelschwan/
  • Free Resume Template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16yPPIAnFpzM1Xfc-BdGMnByM19wgsUqe/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114233432138195416514&rtpof=true&sd=true
  • Free AI Resume Assistant: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-ldX568rNT-schwan-stratifyr-resume-assistant

resume optimization, ATS resume tips, AI resume assistant, job search strategy, free resume template, career transition tools, resume keywords, Applicant Tracking System, job seeker tools, resume writing help, LinkedIn profile tips, strategic job search, personal branding, resume feedback tools, Joel Schwan Stratifyr

#ResumeTips, #JobSearchHelp, #ATSReady, #CareerAdvice, #ResumeWriting, #AIForJobSeekers, #StrategicJobSearch, #FreeCareerTools, #CareerCoach, #LinkedInTips, #PersonalBranding, #GetHired, #JobSearchStrategy, #AIResumeAssistant,

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Leaderish: Leadership Lessons Straight Up, Doris and Regina dig into the power of habits—how they’re formed, how they stick, and how to replace the ones holding us back. Drawing from James Clear’s Atomic Habits, Dr. Wendy Wood’s research, and their own real-life stories, they uncover what it really takes to build high-powered habits that shape identity, fuel growth, and create lasting change.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why habits compound like interest—tiny gains over time add up to big results.
• The truth about how long it really takes to form a habit (hint: it’s not 21 days).
• Why you can’t simply “quit” a habit—you have to replace it.
• How identity-based habits (“I am a non-smoker” vs. “I’m trying to quit”) transform your mindset.
• Practical ways to keep momentum, even when you miss a day.
• Real-life stories about building writing routines, replacing unhealthy habits, and creating accountability.

Sequence:

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

00:20 Diving into Habits

01:38 Understanding Tiny Gains

02:52 Breaking Bad Habits

05:54 Replacing Habits

10:08 The Power of Identity

12:29 Building a Blogging Habit

14:49 Positive Reinforcement

18:06 Maintaining Podcasting Habits

19:09 Building Habits with Positive Reinforcement

19:19 Overcoming Challenges in Habit Formation

19:45 Motion vs. Action: The Key to Progress

20:14 Small Steps Lead to Big Changes

23:20 Pairing Habits for Success

26:34 The Importance of Consistency

33:02 Identity and Habit Transformation

34:06 Testing New Habits with Short-Term Challenges

36:02 Wrapping Up and Encouraging New Habits

Resources & Guest Info:

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• • Email: regina@collectivegrowthcc.com
  • Website: https://www.collectivegrowthcc.com
  • Newsletter subscription: Resources — Collective Growth Coaching and Consulting
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
  • Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• • Email: doris@dunnwise.com
  • Website: https://www.dunnwise.com
  • Newsletter subscription: Blog | DunnWise Consulting
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
  • Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode, Doris and Regina welcome Heidi Siefkas, adventurer, TEDx speaker, and author of Look Up: Global Stories of Resilience, to explore how resilience shows up in life, leadership, and even love. Heidi shares her own transformational story—from surviving a traumatic accident to enduring loss—and how she created the "Look Up" mindset to navigate life’s curveballs with purpose and perspective.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the Look Up mindset means and how it was born out of crisis
• How 30 diverse stories from around the world reveal a common thread of resilience
• Why leaders should hire for grit, not just resumes
• How to build your “resilience muscle” every day, not just in crisis
• The power of storytelling and how vulnerability builds team trust
• Where AI supports creative work—and where human storytelling still reigns
• Heidi's Tips for Embracing Resilience

Sequence:

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

00:36 Introducing Heidi Sea: Author and Storyteller

01:37 The Power of 'Lookup': Heidi's Mantra

04:29 Stories of Resilience: Highlights from Heidi's Book

10:22 Building Resilience in Everyday Life

11:55 Leadership and Resilience: Tips for Leaders

17:13 The Art of Storytelling

21:46 Embracing AI in Storytelling

26:25 The Lookup Movement: Final Thoughts

28:31 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Resources & Guest Info:

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• • Email: regina@collectivegrowthcc.com
  • Website: https://www.collectivegrowthcc.com
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
  • Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• • Email: doris@dunnwise.com
  • Website: https://www.dunnwise.com
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
  • Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call
• Heidi Siefkas
• • Email: heidi@heidisiefkas.com
  • Website: www.heidisiefkas.com
  • Linktree: https://linktr.ee/HeidiSiefkas
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiNSiefkas
  • Book link: Look Up: Global Stories of Resilience: Siefkas, Heidi: 9780997196375: Amazon.com: Books
  • TEDx Talk: TEDx Talk with Author and Adventurer Heidi Siefkas - The Life Hack the Gurus Don't Tell You About