Tracey Petrie: Cutting Through in a Crowded Change Market

What this episode covers

The change job market is shifting—and what used to work no longer guarantees cut-through. In this episode of Conversations of Agile Change, Dr Jen Frahm is joined by specialist recruiter Tracy Petrie to unpack what’s really happening in the market right now. From slower hiring cycles and increased competition, to the rising expectations placed on senior practitioners, this conversation offers a clear-eyed view of the realities change professionals are facing. Together, they explore what makes a CV stand out in the first 10 seconds, why “spray and pray” applications are failing, and how the rise of AI is shaping both recruitment and candidate behaviour. The key message? To stand out, change practitioners need to demonstrate clarity, relevance, and—most importantly—capability. The future belongs to those who can combine depth with breadth, strategy with delivery, and technical change with human-centred, agile change and brain-friendly approaches. Whether you’re actively job seeking or simply future-proofing your career, this episode will challenge how you position yourself in an increasingly crowded market.