How do you actually stand out in today’s hiring landscape? Learn why visibility, ethics, and strategy matter more than ever.

In this episode of Work Should Feel Good, I’m joined by Teegan Bartos, Founder & CEO of Jolt Your Career and creator of "Thought Leadership for Corporate Types." Teegan brings her signature no-nonsense Chicago style to unpack what really works in modern job searches.

We explore her journey from workforce development to launching her own business, why she walked away from traditional recruiting, and how she’s redefining ethical hiring practices. Teegan and I also dive into resume scanning tools like Jobscan and Teal, automated job applications (spoiler alert: ick), navigating board interviews, and the truth about what hiring managers actually care about.

If you’re tired of job search advice that feels outdated or impersonal, this is the episode for you.

⏳ Timestamps:
01:26 Meet Teegan Bartos
02:07 From workforce development to ethical recruiting
04:39 The 3 verticals of Jolt Your Career
08:02 Why working with hiring managers matters
13:37 The truth about resume scanning tools
18:36 Should you use auto-apply tech?
21:51 How recruiters and hiring systems really work
26:54 Board interviews and strategic storytelling
30:36 Aligning values with hiring decisions

💡 Take action
🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts
❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com
🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com
💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Teegan Bartos
🌐 Jolt Your Career → https://www.joltyourcareer.today/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/teeganbartos/
📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/joltyourcareerwithteeganbartos
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joltyourcareer/
📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/joltyourcareerwithteeganbartos/
💼 Work with Teegan → https://www.joltyourcareer.today/work-with-me

📲 Follow me on social media:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

From new manager pitfalls to mastering people skills, this episode is packed with truth and tools for leadership success.

Are we setting new managers up to fail? In this conversation with Eric Girard, Principal Learning Consultant and CEO of Girard Training Solutions, we dig into why so many companies promote people based on technical skills—then leave them stranded with no real leadership training. Eric shares stories from his own rocky leadership start, insights from his book Lead Like a Pro, and actionable strategies to help both new and seasoned managers thrive.

We explore the nuances of coaching, coalition building vs. consensus building, and how asking good questions (not showing flashy slides) is key to landing clients and building trust. If you’re in leadership, want to be, or are coaching others who are, this is a must-watch.

⏳ Timestamps:
01:21 Why woo-woo leadership training gave Eric the willies
04:00 What UN peacemaking taught him about managing conflict
06:50 Consensus vs. coalition building in corporate life
10:06 How Eric handled a high-stakes client pitch without a slide deck
13:00 The wrong (and right) way to promote new managers
16:20 What makes someone truly ready for leadership
20:30 Eric’s personal leadership failure—and how he recovered
24:00 Signs it’s time to walk away from a toxic job
27:40 The power of coaching for new managers
30:10 Why customizing leadership training should never be free

💡 Take action
🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts
❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com
🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com
💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Eric Girard
🌐 Girard Training Solutions → http://www.girardtrainingsolutions.com
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericpgirard/
📲 Follow Eric on Social Media:
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@GTS_Seattle
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/people/Girard-Training-Solutions/61555550008035/
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/eric.p.girard/?hl=en

📲 Follow me on social media:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

Ditch the forms. Embrace your story. Learn why your career narrative matters more than ever.

What separates a good resume from a great one? In this episode of Work Should Feel Good, Diana sits down with Virginia Franco, founder of Virginia Franco Resumes and a leader in the resume writing world, to unpack what makes compelling career collateral and why storytelling is the real game-changer.

Virginia shares how her unique background in journalism and social work helps her extract powerful stories from clients, why she refuses to use forms, and the real difference between a $250 resume and a $2,000 one. You'll also hear how she built a thriving business that supports her lifestyle — including how she took six weeks off each summer and still stayed booked out.

If you're thinking about a career pivot, launching your own service-based business, or just want to better understand how to market yourself, this episode is packed with gold.

⏳ Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:20 Meet Virginia Franco
02:45 How journalism and social work shaped her resume writing superpowers
04:08 Why Virginia never uses intake forms
06:04 The origin of her resume writing business
09:07 Pricing her first clients — and how that evolved
13:48 Building a business around her lifestyle (and taking summers off!)
18:04 What sets premium resume services apart from low-cost options
23:03 Career storytelling and strategic pivots
24:27 How people read resumes — and why that matters

💡 Take action
🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts
❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com
🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com
💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Virginia Franco
🌐 Virginia Franco Resumes → https://www.virginiafrancoresumes.com/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiafrancoresumewriter/
📲 Follow Virginia on Social Media:
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@resumestoryteller
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaFrancoResume/
X (Twitter) → https://x.com/VAFrancoResumes
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/vafrancoresumes/

📲 Follow me on social media:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

In this candid and empowering episode of Work Should Feel Good, I’m joined by Liz Wilcox, keynote speaker and queen of email marketing, to talk about building a business that genuinely works for your life—even when the path looks unconventional. Liz shares her deeply personal journey from teacher to RV blogger to email marketing powerhouse, all through the lens of doing what feels right, not what’s expected.

We talk about radical self-love (like giving yourself permission to pee), her $9/month email membership that changed the game, and how identifying what lights you up can pave the way for purpose-filled work. Liz’s approach to business is refreshingly authentic, strategic, and sustainable—and she’ll inspire you to find and follow your own version of "work that feels good."

⏳ Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:00 Liz’s journey from teacher to entrepreneur
03:30 Letting go of the parts that no longer feel good
06:10 Why email marketing clicked—and how she went all in
08:35 Saying YES to yourself (even when it’s just going to pee!)
13:00 Creating boundaries with intention
16:00 The genius of blending short + deep content
18:00 Building her $9 membership model
21:40 The confidence it takes to go your own way
23:30 Work that feels good = confidence + effort
25:00 Why gratitude amplifies hope

💡 Take action
🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts
❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com
🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com
💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Liz Wilcox
🌐 Website → http://lizwilcox.com
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-wilcox-58740b1b0/
🎥 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@thelizwilcox
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/groups/emailmarketingwithliz
🐦 X (Twitter) → https://x.com/thelizwilcox88?lang=en
📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thelizwilcox/
💌 Email Marketing Membership → https://lizwilcox.thrivecart.com/email-marketing-membership

📲 Follow me on social media:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

Burned out by your career path? Stuck in survival mode? You can reinvent yourself and this episode shows you how.

Kelly Greene shares her incredible journey from attorney to psychotherapist and holistic health coach, opening up about resilience, burnout, autoimmune illness, and what it really means to heal from the inside out.

In this inspiring conversation, Kelly and I talk about the turning points in her life that led her to walk away from a career in law, how her personal health challenges sparked a radical transformation, and the power of listening to your body and rewriting your identity. We also dive into her time at Harvard, her views on trauma-informed healing, and her practical tips for cultivating resilience, without burning yourself out in the process.

Whether you're navigating a career change, dealing with chronic stress, or searching for deeper purpose in your work, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable takeaways.

⏳ Timestamps:
01:04 Meet Kelly Greene – from attorney to resilience coach
04:48 Therapy licensure vs. law licensure – what’s harder?
06:31 Career pivots: makeup artistry, law, psychology
10:01 Burning it down – letting go of what no longer fits
13:57 Healing the body by healing the mind
17:55 Living in alignment & tracking emotional signals
20:01 Kelly’s path to Harvard & why it mattered
24:19 What holistic resilience really means
27:05 On motherhood, trauma recovery & purpose
30:42 Final thoughts on work, identity & reinvention

💡 Take action
🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts
❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com
🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com
💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Kelly Greene
🌐 Center for Holistic Resilience → http://www.holisticresilience.com/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellygreene-holisticresilience/
📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtyWqV8l07zvjpU08sDWuBFMNl40yVamV
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/kellygreene.holisticresilience
📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kellygreene.me/

📲 Follow me on social media:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

What happens when a tech-savvy history buff turns his curiosity into a thriving data consultancy? Find out in this energizing episode!

Matthew Copple, CEO of Grand River Analytics, joins Diana Alt to share his winding journey from military service to tech leadership, exploring how curiosity, history, and data all converge in meaningful, human ways. In this deep dive, you'll hear how Matt evolved from sorting mail in the Army to building a mission-driven data consultancy and what he sees coming next for software engineers in an AI-infused world.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a values-driven business, overcome fear of math, or pivot careers without a linear path, this episode is for you.

⏳ Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:15 From childhood curiosity to Civil War obsession
06:30 How history ties into working with data
10:00 Matt’s military experience and what he learned
14:20 From Lotus macros to Y2K rejections
19:30 Getting into software without a computer science degree
22:50 Using AI tools like GitHub Copilot as a developer
25:45 How AI is reshaping engineering work
27:15 What it means for junior developers in a changing tech world
30:40 The importance of curiosity and self-teaching in tech careers

💡 Take action
🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts
❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com
🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com
💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Matthew Copple
🌐 Grand River Analytics → https://grandriveranalytics.com
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcopple
🐦 X (formerly Twitter) → https://x.com/matthewcopple?lang=en

📲 Follow me on social media:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

Discover how ADHD can become your superpower in the job search and career growth journey.

What happens when a mid-career professional learns he has ADHD at 52 and realizes it's been his brilliance all along? In this episode of Work Should Feel Good, Diana Alt is joined by David Hannan of Pathfinder Coaching for a deeply personal and eye-opening conversation about navigating the job market with ADHD.

David shares his journey from the Royal Air Force to recruiting and eventually coaching, all while uncovering how undiagnosed ADHD shaped his path. You'll hear about his late diagnosis, how ADHD affects job search motivation, the unique challenges neurodivergent professionals face, and how David now uses his insights to coach others in a way that works with their brains, not against them.

Whether you're neurodivergent yourself, work with someone who is, or simply want to approach career growth with more compassion and strategy, this episode is packed with takeaways.

⏳ Timestamps:
02:15 David's ADHD journey and Royal Air Force experience
07:34 Pivoting into coaching after burnout
10:30 The ADHD assessment process
17:52 How ADHD shows up as a superpower in recruiting
24:00 Job search strategies that work for neurodivergent brains
29:48 Understanding dopamine, motivation, and task management
35:12 Tips for coaches and managers working with ADHD clients or teams

💡 Take action
🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts
❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com
🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com
💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with David Hannan
🌐 Pathfinder Coaching → https://www.pathfinder.coach/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkhannan/

📲 Follow me on social media:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

Navigating government job changes? This episode is packed with insights to help federal employees (and beyond) make smooth, empowered transitions in uncertain times.

In this conversation, Michael Greco, project manager by day, career coach by night, joins Diana to discuss how his own pivots between industries (edtech, healthcare, federal contracting) prepared him to help others take control of their career journeys. From election judging to musical theater, Michael shares how real-world experiences inform his client coaching. You'll hear about his decision to go full-time with a consulting firm supporting the VA, how a sweeping contract cut left hundreds jobless overnight, and the critical mindset and tools needed to recover with confidence.

Whether you're a federal employee caught in restructuring or a professional contemplating your next step, this episode offers both perspective and actionable strategy.

⏳ Timestamps:
01:25 Michael’s background in musical theater and public service
06:20 Working as an election judge: what he learned
10:45 Scariest pivot: moving from edtech to federal consulting
14:00 Navigating full-time vs. contractor roles
20:55 Getting laid off overnight: the VA contract cuts
25:15 Emotional fallout, COBRA stress, and quick recovery
28:10 Michael’s client-first mindset during chaos
30:00 Tips for federal employees planning their next career move

💡 Take action
🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts
❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com
🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com
💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Michael Greco
🌐 Greco Career Consulting → https://www.grecocareerconsulting.com/
🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvgreco
📲 Follow Michael on Social Media:
Facebook → http://facebook.com/p/Greco-Career-Consulting-LLC-61550242446152/
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelgreco?_t=8jtuzxl1zy3&_r=1
Instagram (personal) → https://www.instagram.com/michaelgreco1995/
Instagram (business) → https://www.instagram.com/greco_career_consulting/

📲 Follow me on social media:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt