Raw Career Talk ❤️🎙️

Meet Vandana Singh - she's literally building the future of work as a Senior Technical Program Manager at Amazon Web Services, managing Gen AI programs for Amazon Q.While everyone's debating whether AI will take our jobs, Vandana is on the front lines building AI programs that enhance human capability.Here's what we unpacked:→ What "the future of work" actually means (beyond the buzzwords) → Essential first steps for implementing Gen AI programs → How to balance human intuition with AI insights → The biggest mistake leaders make when rushing into AI → How to address team fears about AI replacing jobs → Strategies for upskilling teams to work WITH AIThe reality? The most successful AI programs are the ones that put humans first.If you're a leader feeling overwhelmed by AI advancement, this episode will give you a clear roadmap.

In this episode, I sit down with Gabriela Gutierrez — Business Transformation Engineer, leadership coach, and the #11-ranked Project Management Creator in the U.S. — to talk about what it really takes to build a career across borders. From landing in a new country with no network to leading mentorship programs for 90,000+ people, Gabriela shares the unfiltered truth about resilience, identity, and reinvention.00:00 Welcome to Raw Career Talk01:20 Gabriela’s first impressions of Canada04:40 Challenges immigrants face in the job market08:55 The turning point: from surviving to thriving13:17 Biggest career mistakes and lessons learned17:43 How to network when you don’t know anyone22:10 Facing imposter syndrome head-on26:05 Leveraging your background as a superpower30:15 Rebuilding community and confidence in the U.S.34:00 Career win she’s most proud of38:18 The power of mentors and how to find them42:00 Her #1 piece of advice for newcomersWhether you’re navigating a new country, a new job, or a major life transition — this episode is packed with insights and encouragement to help you take the next step with confidence.🔗 Tune in now and discover how your story can become your superpower.

In this episode, I sit down with Tessa Whelan, Senior Recruiter at Colab Software, to get a behind-the-scenes look at what really makes a candidate stand out in today’s hyper-competitive job market. From crafting a resume that captures attention in seconds to the elusive "X factor" that can win you an offer, Tessa shares practical, no-fluff advice every job seeker needs to hear. 00:00 Introduction to Career Building01:14 Crafting a Standout Resume06:22 The X Factor in Candidate Selection 10:21 The Role of Cover Letters 13:28 Common Mistakes in Resumes and Interviews 17:57 Effective Communication with Recruiters 23:25 The Importance of Personal Branding 28:13 Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview 31:05 Applying for Jobs: When to Take the Leap 34:40 Final Advice for Job SeekersWhether you’re actively job hunting or just want to future-proof your career, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss.🔗 Tune in now and get one step closer to your next big opportunity.

Skip the fluff — this is what Gen Z workplace success actually looks like.Cassie Crosbie went from Executive Assistant to Operations Manager in under a year at Stan, and she's here to break down the real strategies behind thriving (not just surviving) as Gen Z in today's workplace.What we cover:00:00 Breaking the Gen Z Stereotype01:56 Defining Thriving vs Surviving at Work05:23 Skills from Early Roles that Matter07:28 Adapting to Startup Environments11:03 Leveraging Social Media for Career Growth17:50 Understanding A-Players in Startups20:52 The Importance of Feedback in Leadership22:55 Lifelong Learning as a Career LessonWhether you're navigating your first job, switching between startup chaos and corporate structure, or trying to figure out how to show up online without getting judged — this episode cuts through the noise with actionable insights.Connect with Cassie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassiec/ Raw Career Talk — where we skip the fluff and talk about what actually matters in real careers.

Welcome back to Raw Career Talk — the podcast where we go beyond job titles and get real about the messy, bold, and game-changing parts of career growth.In today’s episode, we're diving into something most people dread but absolutely need: salary negotiation.Joining us is April Rust — who’s breaking down how to negotiate for more money and more time, even in today’s job market.We cover:💰 Why negotiation feels so awkward — and how to shift your mindset❌ The most common (and expensive) mistakes people make📈 Whether it’s actually possible to negotiate a 40% raise🕒 How to ask for non-monetary benefits like flexibility, remote work, or PTOWhether you're job hunting, preparing for a promotion, or realizing you’ve been underpaid for too long, this episode will leave you equipped, empowered, and ready to ask for what you're worth.With love,Violeta

Welcome back to Raw Career Talk, the podcast where we go beyond job titles and get real about career journeys.Today, we’re joined by Meenu Chadha - Career Coach, Job Search Strategist, and former Talent Acquisition leader with over 25 years of experience at companies like Accenture, CIBC, and Dialogic. Meenu has sat on both sides of the hiring table and brings a wealth of knowledge about what it truly takes to navigate career transitions with confidence.In this episode, we dive deep into a challenge many professionals silently struggle with: rebuilding, pivoting, and repositioning yourself in the job market — especially after a career pause or a major shift.We cover how to explain career gaps without feeling apologetic, how to pivot into a new industry without starting from scratch, and how to negotiate your worth even when you’re reentering the workforce. Meenu also shares the biggest mistakes comeback professionals make — and what to do instead to stand out.If you’re returning to work after time away, shifting careers, or simply feeling stuck and ready for a change, this episode will give you actionable strategies and real encouragement to help you move forward on your own terms.🎙 Topics we cover:How to confidently explain a career gap in interviewsRebuilding professional confidence after time awayPivoting careers and positioning unrelated experience as a strengthSalary expectations and negotiation tips for comeback professionalsCommon pitfalls to avoid during a career transitionWith Love, Violeta

In this episode #1, I sat down with Janani Chandran, a Program Manager who worked at Rakuten Asia, PayPal and has more than 20+years of experience, to talk about how to transition from project management to a program management role. In this interview, you'll learn:- Who is a program manager? What are the day-to-day differences between project and program management?- How to understand that you are ready for a Program Manager Role?- How did Janani manage to pivot from project management to program management? - How to succeed in the job interviews when changing roles- What certifications are crucial for Program Managers?- What are the most important hard and soft skills for program managers to get the role and thrive in it? - Top 3 AI tools to leverage for Program Managers- What is the difference between a good Program Manager and a great Program Manager?With Love Violeta Hryhorian