Episode 02: Work In Progress - Cameron MacRae

💬 Summary In this episode, we sit down with Cameron MacRae – Global Director at Bottle Rocket Search – to talk all things work, hiring and how to know if a job is actually right for you.From front-of-house roles in coworking to global leadership in commercial real estate, Cameron shares a decade’s worth of lessons on what’s changed since Covid, how to protect your energy, and why understanding your own boundaries is the key to landing a role you love – and growing in it.We also get honest about red flags in interviews (including when a company says “we’re like a family”), burnout from people-pleasing, and the difference between applying for a job and building a career that works for you.💡 TakeawaysCulture fit matters – but it’s about values, not vibesIf a job spec says “we’re like a family” – runFront-of-house roles are some of the hardest in the business – and the least flexibleYou don’t need to say yes to everything to prove your worthIf you’re interviewing, ask why the role exists and what success looks likeUnlimited annual leave is great – if the culture supports taking itKnowing your boundaries is the first step to building a sustainable careerRecruitment is more like matchmaking than sales – the right recruiter will help you reflect, not just applyBeing honest (with yourself and others) is the fastest route to career growth🔥 Favourite Soundbites“Don’t just apply for a job – know what you don’t want, too.” “If you can’t explain what success looks like in a role, it’s not the right role.” “A job interview isn’t a test – it’s a conversation. Ask your questions too.” “Culture is who you hire – not what’s on the website.”🕒 Chapters 02:21 – Meet Cameron: from sport science to global director 06:47 – The jump from student housing to coworking 10:06 – Post-Covid work shifts: what’s changed and what hasn’t 15:02 – Front-of-house roles: the underappreciated MVPs 17:22 – Unlimited leave, burnout and balance 23:10 – People pleasing, boundaries and how to say no 27:33 – Interview advice from someone who’s seen it all 31:01 – Red flags, green flags and spotting the truth 35:34 – What success really looks like (and how to ask about it) 42:03 – What company culture actually means 47:44 – Why younger employees struggle to set boundaries 53:12 – When saying yes too often starts to backfire 57:37 – Recruiters: how to use them, and how to know they’re good 01:00:01 – The power of honesty (with yourself and others) 01:01:00 – Cameron’s final advice: define what matters to youhttps://bottlerocketsearch.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-macrae-the-office-space-recruiter/Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.