Podcast Summary: How to Money – Episode #962: Getting the Job You Want with Madeline Mann
Release Date: March 26, 2025
In episode #962 of How to Money, hosts Joel and Matt engage in an insightful conversation with Madeline Mann, a renowned HR and recruiting leader. This episode delves deep into modern job search strategies, transforming the traditional approach to finding employment into a more proactive and fulfilling experience. Madeline shares her expertise on turning job seekers into job shoppers, debunking common myths, and providing actionable advice to land desirable positions in today’s competitive market.
1. Introduction to Madeline Mann and Her Expertise (02:06 - 03:24)
Joel and Matt introduce Madeline Mann, highlighting her accomplishments as the author of Reverse the Search and founder of Self Made Millennial. Madeline has built an award-winning career coaching platform that has reached millions, helping professionals secure high-paying jobs, including roles at Fortune 500 companies. The hosts express excitement about her joining the podcast to shed light on effective job search methodologies.
Notable Quote:
"It's not a space that you and I are in, that we're walking around a whole lot. Right. Like, we always are, talking about investing, we're always talking about debt, student loans, retirement, all of these. Like, that's our space. But when it comes to jobs and trying to, you know, launch a new career, trying to get a new job, those topics are a little bit more foreign to us."
— Matt (03:53)
2. Redefining Job Search: From Hunting to Shopping (06:09 - 07:19)
Madeline explains her preferred terminology of "job shopping" over "job hunting." She emphasizes that job shopping shifts the focus from passively seeking employment to actively exploring and selecting opportunities that align with one’s values and career goals.
Notable Quote:
"Once you start doing these strategies, you find yourself that, wow, it doesn't have to be this effortful hunt, but it can be more of a fun shopping experience where you're shopping for your Future."
— Madeline Mann (06:26)
3. Common Myths in Job Searching (09:44 - 10:02)
Madeline addresses prevalent misconceptions that hinder effective job searching. She debunks the myths that aiming lower increases job prospects and that additional certifications automatically make candidates stand out. Instead, she advocates for focusing on relationships and demonstrating expertise.
Notable Quote:
"People think that additional certifications and degrees will help them stand out... It is a baseline qualification. It's really your relationships and your expertise that will help you to stand out."
— Madeline Mann (10:02)
4. Modern Resume and LinkedIn Strategies (15:06 - 21:04)
Madeline introduces the "Glory Formula," a method where candidates tailor their resumes and LinkedIn profiles based on the specific requirements of the job they are targeting. She advises moving away from listing all past accomplishments to highlighting how one can solve the prospective employer’s current problems.
Notable Quote:
"You need to start with the opportunity first. Build all of your assets back from that as if you are a product, you are a product, you are someone selling your services."
— Madeline Mann (15:44)
5. Leveraging LinkedIn for Career Advancement (20:43 - 22:12)
Madeline underscores the importance of maintaining an active and optimized LinkedIn presence, especially for those in the corporate sector. She explains how being discoverable on LinkedIn can open doors to inbound job opportunities, effectively placing job seekers in control of their career trajectories.
Notable Quote:
"If you are in the corporate world, it is a hundred percent imperative that you are discoverable on LinkedIn. And your ability to harness LinkedIn for everything it has to offer can completely transform the trajectory of your career."
— Madeline Mann (21:04)
6. Navigating the Interview Process (38:57 - 43:09)
Madeline offers strategies to excel in interviews, emphasizing authenticity over rehearsed responses. She advises candidates to view themselves as potential collaborators rather than subordinates, highlighting the importance of demonstrating likeability and a genuine fit with the company culture.
Notable Quote:
"These people are looking to hire a coworker. So it sets off these alarms in their head... They have to be able to trust you because they're taking a risk on you if they don't feel like they actually like you."
— Madeline Mann (38:57)
7. Effective Negotiation Techniques (46:42 - 48:54)
Discussing salary negotiations, Madeline advises waiting until the employer has expressed strong interest before broaching the topic. She recommends presenting salary expectations after demonstrating one’s value, ensuring that the negotiation is based on mutual interest and the candidate’s proven worth.
Notable Quote:
"Your biggest moment of power is when they have said, we want you, okay? Because at that point they know as much as they can about your value."
— Madeline Mann (46:42)
8. The Concept of Perpetual Job Shopping (49:42 - 52:21)
Madeline advocates for maintaining a job-shopping mindset even while employed. She explains that this approach ensures continuous professional growth and preparedness for unforeseen circumstances, such as layoffs. By keeping an updated resume and an active LinkedIn profile, professionals can swiftly pivot when necessary.
Notable Quote:
"The thing about maintaining your job shopper status is it doesn't take that much effort. You can passively get opportunities coming to you for the rest of your career while times are good."
— Madeline Mann (49:42)
9. Balancing Job Hopping with Career Stability (51:42 - 54:21)
Madeline discusses the appropriate frequency of job changes, emphasizing that it varies based on one’s profession and career stage. While early-career professionals might benefit from varied experiences, she cautions against frequent job changes later in one’s career, where stability and long-term relationships become more valuable.
Notable Quote:
"If you are, you know, first five to seven years in your career and you hop to a few different places because you're trying to figure out what you want to do, companies are like, yes, of course you're figuring out what you're going to do."
— Madeline Mann (52:21)
10. Final Takeaways and Closing Thoughts (54:21 - 60:13)
Towards the end of the episode, Joel and Matt reflect on the valuable insights shared by Madeline. They highlight the importance of strategic self-promotion, authentic networking, and the proactive maintenance of one’s professional profile. The hosts encourage listeners to adopt a job-shopping approach, emphasizing that selling oneself effectively and building meaningful relationships are key to standing out in the job market.
Notable Quote:
"You want to be the solution. You want to be the Advil to that pain point. Right. That they're experiencing. And if you don't sell yourself, if you're unwilling to kind of be a little more forthcoming about what you have to offer, there's a chance you're going to get lost in the shuffle of a bunch of other people who want that same position."
— Joel (57:07)
Key Insights and Actionable Advice
- Shift Your Mindset: Transition from "job hunting" to "job shopping" to take control of your career trajectory.
- Tailor Your Resume: Use the Glory Formula to align your resume and LinkedIn profile with the specific needs of the job you’re targeting.
- Optimize LinkedIn: Maintain an active and optimized LinkedIn presence to attract inbound job opportunities.
- Authentic Interviews: Be genuine and personable in interviews to demonstrate cultural fit and likeability.
- Strategic Negotiation: Delay salary discussions until the employer has expressed strong interest, and present your value effectively.
- Continuous Job Shopping: Keep your professional profiles updated and engage in networking even while employed to stay prepared for any career shifts.
- Balanced Job Changes: Job hopping can be beneficial early in your career but should be approached cautiously in later stages to build stability and long-term relationships.
Conclusion
Episode #962 of How to Money provides a comprehensive guide to modern job searching through the expertise of Madeline Mann. By redefining traditional job search strategies and embracing a proactive, relationship-driven approach, listeners are equipped with the tools and insights needed to secure meaningful and fulfilling employment in today’s dynamic market. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, this episode offers valuable lessons on navigating the complexities of the modern workplace.
Note: Advertisements and promotional segments were excluded from this summary to focus solely on the episode's core content and discussions.