In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn sits down with Cheryl Davidson, Talent Acquisition Partner at Carol Search Partner. With nearly two decades of experience recruiting for top accounting firms and consulting with hiring managers across the U.S., Cheryl brings deep expertise on what it really takes to match the right talent with the right culture. She opens up about avoiding “mini-me” hires, spotting integrity red flags, and why focus is a recruiter’s greatest tool.

Whether you’re hiring in specialized industries, competitive markets, or culture-driven teams, Cheryl shares stories and strategies that reveal how to hire smarter and with more confidence.

🔹 The Power of Focus in Recruiting:

Cheryl explains why recruiters must zero in on one role at a time to avoid spinning their wheels—and how she trains others to do the same.

🔹 Coaching Hiring Managers:

Even seasoned leaders can fall into the trap of hiring people “just like them.” Cheryl shares how she guides managers to look beyond surface-level similarities.

🔹 The Candidate Who Looked Perfect on Paper:

She recalls an interview with a Big Four candidate who wowed everyone in the room—but revealed integrity issues on the car ride back to the airport. That moment changed the hiring decision.

🔹 Giving Candidates a Second Chance:

Some of Cheryl’s best placements started with resumes that undersold their skills. She explains how reworking resumes and digging deeper uncovered hidden gems.

🔹 Culture Fit Is Everything:

Matching technical skills is only half the battle. Cheryl emphasizes that without culture alignment, hires won’t last—and neither side will be happy.

🔹 Creative Sourcing Beyond LinkedIn:

From attendee lists at industry conferences to specialized outreach, Cheryl reveals how she finds candidates outside the usual channels.

🔹 Setting Realistic Expectations:

She walks through how to have tough conversations with clients when the local talent pool just isn’t enough—and how to reframe the search.

✅ Focus and discipline in recruiting lead to better results.

✅ Don’t overlook red flags, even if a candidate looks perfect on paper.

✅ Resumes rarely tell the whole story—dig deeper.

✅ Culture fit is non-negotiable for long-term success.

✅ Recruiters must act as consultants, not just order-takers.

✅ Creative sourcing and setting client expectations are essential in competitive markets.

🔗 Connect with Cheryl Davidson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldavidson/

🔗 Learn more about Carol Search Partners: https://www.carolsearch.com/

In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn sits down with Tarnesha Miller, Human Resources Manager at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship in Carrollton, Texas. With a background in performing arts and more than a decade of HR experience, Tarnesha brings a fresh and deeply human perspective to hiring. She opens up about learning to trust her gut, advocate for culture-first candidates, and why transparency is her secret weapon.

Whether you’re hiring in faith-based spaces, nonprofits, or high-trust teams, Tarnesha shares stories and insights that remind us how much HR can shape the soul of an organization.

🔹 From the Stage to HR:

Tarnesha didn’t set out to be in HR—but when an HR Director saw something in her, she leaned in, learned fast, and never looked back. Now, she advocates for people with purpose and leads hiring with compassion.

🔹 The Myth of “Most Qualified”:

Early in her career, Tarnesha believed the most polished resume always wins. Now, she knows better. Soft skills like emotional intelligence, humility, and adaptability often predict success more than credentials ever could.

🔹 Speak Up About Red Flags:

She shares a tough lesson about staying silent in a hiring decision despite sensing disrespectful behavior. When that hire later hurt team morale, she realized the cost of not trusting her instincts—and now speaks up every time.

🔹 When “Call Me Spirit” Sets the Tone:

In one unforgettable screening call, a candidate insisted on being called “Spirit” because their name was just something given by their parents. It was a moment that tested Tarnesha’s adaptability—and her poker face.

🔹 Hiring in Nonprofit & Faith-Based Environments:

Bent Tree isn’t just hiring for skills—it’s about alignment with mission, community, and purpose. Tarnesha looks for people who know their “why” and can roll with the many hats that nonprofit roles require.

🔹 Potential Over Perfection:

One of her proudest hires was a candidate with no traditional experience—but with passion, humility, and growth mindset. That person is now a leader. Tarnesha reminds us: potential is powerful.

🔹 Radical Transparency in Interviews:

She’s upfront with candidates—about red flags, expectations, and culture. If that honesty scares someone off, she believes, “What’s for you is for you.” The right people will lean in, not out.

🔹 The Fail Question Still Works:

Tarnesha stands by one of HR’s classic interview questions—“Tell me about a time you failed.” It’s how she uncovers self-awareness, accountability, and real growth.

✅ Don’t ignore your gut—especially when it comes to culture fit.

✅ Transparency builds trust from the very first call.

✅ Hiring for values and purpose creates long-term wins for mission-driven teams.

✅ A “perfect resume” doesn’t mean a perfect hire.

✅ You’re in your role for a reason—own it, speak up, and lead confidently.

🔗 Connect with Tarnesha Miller on LinkedIn: Tarnesha Miller

🔗 Explore opportunities at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship: www.benttree.org

In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn Randall chats with Nayeli Sevilla, Human Resources Manager at Stonebridge. With experience in hospitality hiring and a business mindset rooted in real-world empathy, Nayeli shares the human side of recruiting—what works, what doesn’t, and how learning from the “nice but wrong” hire helped her develop sharper instincts and better processes. From resume red flags to no-show interviews, this conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone involved in hiring.

🔹 HR with Room to Grow

Nayeli joined Stonebridge for the national scale and growth potential—but also discovered a deeply personal hiring culture, where HR leadership stays hands-on and candidates get individualized attention.

🔹 Why She Chose HR Over Operations

Inspired by leaders she admired but unwilling to sacrifice time with her daughter, Nayeli pivoted into HR. It became her way of using business strategy to elevate people—not just processes.

🔹 The Interview That Raised Every Red Flag

Early in her career, Nayeli walked into an interview and was immediately asked about her marital status and children. That experience helped her develop a sharp radar for inappropriate (and illegal) interview tactics—and a firm resolve to protect candidates.

🔹 Funny Doesn’t Always Mean Fit

After hiring a charming, relatable candidate who tugged at everyone’s heartstrings, Nayeli and her team quickly realized he wasn’t professionally aligned with the role. That experience taught her to prioritize facts over feelings and dig deeper into job-relevant skills.

🔹 What Red Flags Really Look Like

Changing answers to repeated questions? That’s a sign something’s off. Nayeli explains how inconsistent answers in interviews are a subtle but reliable red flag.

🔹 Creative Strategies That Actually Work

Nayeli relies on two things: strong resumes and tenure. In the fast-turnover world of hospitality, she looks for candidates with a history of staying power and a polished, formal presence in interviews.

🔹 When Hiring Managers Stall

If polite reminders don’t work, Nayeli shows up at their office. Her approach is clear and direct: “We loved this candidate—are we going to lose them or make the offer?” That urgency often breaks through indecision.

🔹 Details That Make a Lasting Impression

What makes a candidate memorable? Specifics. Nayeli loves when candidates walk her through real-life work scenarios—from wine pairings to five-star service techniques.

🔹 Resume First, Then the Interview

Don't tell her you have the experience if it’s not on your resume. Nayeli emphasizes how crucial it is for job seekers to document their value clearly—and show up formally prepared.

🔹 Brutally Honest Advice for Job Seekers

Craft a strong, structured resume. Follow up with a thank you note. Even if it’s not her personal dealbreaker, she knows many hiring pros who treat it as one.

🔹 Growth Through Grace

Early in her HR journey, Nayeli had little patience for no-shows. Now, she leads with more empathy and is willing to give people the benefit of the doubt—once.

✅ A strong resume is the starting line—not a bonus.

✅ Interviews should verify facts, not just feel good.

✅ One bad hire can reshape your whole approach—for the better.

✅ HR is at its best when it blends structure with empathy.

✅ Candidates who follow through with professionalism stand out.

🔗 Connect with Nayeli Sevilla on LinkedIn: