About the Guest(s):

James Pence is a seasoned Client Relationship Manager and Client Success Professional with over 13 years of experience. He has a proven track record in driving growth, building strong partnerships, and delivering measurable results. James is passionate about maximizing ROI for clients, leading cross-functional teams, and implementing a consultative, data-driven approach to client success. Recently navigating a career transition, James is seeking new opportunities to leverage his extensive relationship management skills in a dynamic industry.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of the Who You Know Show, hosted by Trevor Houston, the spotlight is on James Pence, an experienced Client Relationship Manager. The conversation delves into James's professional journey, highlighting his love for building connections and relationships both internally and externally. Despite being adept at helping companies achieve growth, James is currently in the midst of a career transition. This episode is part of the Career Comeback Series aimed at aiding professionals in stand-out job searches, showcasing their skills, and unlocking new career opportunities.

Throughout the discussion, keywords such as "client success," "relationship building," and "career transition" emerge as James shares his strategies and challenges in navigating the current job market. The episode presents actionable strategies focused on maximizing return on investment, engagement in networking, and leveraging personal branding to stand out in job applications. Trevor Houston emphasizes the significance of preparation and practicing communication to reduce nervousness during interviews. He further encourages James to cultivate a strong personal brand to attract rather than chase job opportunities, focusing on crafting messaging that emphasizes his specific skills and desired industry roles.

Resources:

• James Pence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/japence/
• Trevor Houston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorhouston/
• Career Transition Summit: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/67/04404igv
• LinkedIn e-book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://online.flippingbook.com/view/714118097/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/who-ya-know-show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Trevor Houston is a licensed financial professional offering insurance/financial products through various carriers. For more info visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://cpwstrategies.com

Chapters:

(0:00) Career Transition and Success in Client Relationship Management

(7:08) The Impact of Networking on Career Opportunities

(9:22) Overcoming Interview Nerves Through Preparation and Authenticity

(18:20) Navigating Interview Formats and Overcoming Anxiety

(22:17) Building Trust Through Long-Term Client Relationships

(25:06) Crafting a Concise Value Statement for Tax Professionals

(28:32) The Importance of Focused Branding and Niche Expertise

(35:45) Building Long-Term Client Relationships Beyond Transactional Sales

(38:51) Building Confidence Through Abundant Job Interview Opportunities

(43:40) Maximizing Job Search Success Through Networking and Human Connection

(49:34) Navigating Career Transitions and Financial Stability

(51:41) Mastering Communication Skills Through Practice and Personal Branding

(55:24) Attracting Opportunities Through Authenticity and Visibility

(58:33) Creative Job Search Strategies and Community Support

(1:03:13) Building a Personal Brand to Overcome Ageism in Job Search

(1:06:41) Navigating Ageism and Salary Expectations in Job Hunting

(1:09:01) Strategic Networking and Advocacy for Job Opportunities

(1:14:02) Overcoming Job Loss and Embracing Uncomfortable Growth

About the Guest(s):

Melissa Walker

Melissa Walker is a dedicated HR professional and consultant with a rich history of leadership roles in talent acquisition and human resources. Known for her innovative approach in helping veterans transition into the workplace, Melissa started her company, Next Career, to make a meaningful impact by focusing on training and aligning veterans with corporate opportunities. With experience leading global teams and consulting for major organizations, she excels in HR business partnering, project management, and technical integrations, especially in AI solutions. Melissa is passionate about creating people-centric workplaces and leveraging her expertise to foster organizational growth.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of "Who You Know," host Trevor Houston sits down with Melissa Walker to explore the dynamics of job searching, networking, and evolving career landscapes. This episode is a heartfelt homage to Melissa for believing in Trevor during the early days of his career. As Trevor and Melissa retrace the journey from the inception of Melissa's show to her current job search phase, they delve deep into the challenges and strategies of landing full-time roles in today's corporate environment, prominently highlighting the importance of networking and leveraging one's personal brand.

Melissa shares candid insights into the difficulties of the modern job market, emphasizing how her extensive consulting experience, though valuable, poses unique challenges in returning to in-house roles. They discuss various job search methodologies, including leveraging AI tools across platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor, and contemplate unconventional yet potent tactics such as launching personal podcasts and content creation to potentially boost inbound job opportunities. The conversation underscores reciprocity, networking, and the critical function of human connections in successfully navigating career transitions.

Resources:

• Melissa Walker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamwalker/
• Trevor Houston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorhouston/
• Career Transition Summit: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/67/04404igv
• LinkedIn e-book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://online.flippingbook.com/view/714118097/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/who-ya-know-show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Trevor Houston is a licensed financial professional offering insurance/financial products through various carriers. For more info visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://cpwstrategies.com

Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction and Melissa's Career Goals

(1:31) Recap of How the Show and Relationship Began

(3:28) Melissa's Background and Career Path

(8:02) Challenges in Job Searching for Melissa

(10:09) Exploring Job Search Strategies and Networks

(15:26) Discussing Commission Jobs and Challenges

(19:35) Reverse Engineering the Job Search System

(25:35) The Role of Marketing in Career Search

(31:30) Concerns About AI and Its Implications

(43:24) The Dynamics of Human Element in Job Search

(49:20) Podcasting as a Job Search Tool

(1:00:08) Content Creation and Visibility Strategy

(1:09:10) Reciprocity and Networking for Job Search

(1:16:04) Addressing LinkedIn and Profile Optimization

(1:25:24) Closing Thoughts on Helping Others

About the Guest(s):

Nikki Duncan is a seasoned strategic operations and process project management leader known for her prowess in change management and streamlining organizational processes. With a career that spans various operational achievements, she has a knack for identifying inefficiencies, implementing solutions, and leveraging data for impactful business decisions. Nikki is also a prolific content creator with 23 published romance novels and is currently working on a cookbook to address food allergies.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of the "Who You Know" show, Trevor Houston sits down with Nikki Duncan to explore the evolving relationship between technology, particularly AI, and the human workforce. Nikki shares her optimistic belief that while AI offers efficiency, it will not replace the human element in businesses unless individuals choose not to adapt. They dive into how embracing change and leveraging AI can smooth out complexities in project management, giving listeners an overview of how Nikki's strategic insight helps companies streamline their operations and improve efficiency.

The conversation shifts focus to Nikki's career transformation journey as she pursues new opportunities post-COVID. She delves into her strategic job search methodologies, discussing her approach to making connections through LinkedIn, the creation of a compelling video resume, and developing engaging content. Throughout the episode, Nikki emphasizes the importance of personal branding and the power of content creation to land career-defining opportunities. Listeners gain valuable insights into utilizing modern tools and networking strategies to enhance one's job search success and professional relationships.

Resources:

• Nikki Duncan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkiduncanpmp/
• Trevor Houston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorhouston/
• Career Transition Summit: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/67/04404igv
• LinkedIn e-book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://online.flippingbook.com/view/714118097/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/who-ya-know-show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Trevor Houston is a licensed financial professional offering insurance/financial products through various carriers. For more info visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://cpwstrategies.com

Chapters:

(0:00) Nikki Duncan: The Lion Tamer of Strategic Operations

(4:07) Transforming Customer Experience Through Data-Driven Insights

(7:50) People-First Project Management

(9:42) Balancing AI Advancements and Human Roles

(14:55) Building Community and Trust During the Pandemic

(25:35) Nikki's Personal Brand and Overcoming ADHD Challenges

(31:43) Neurogum’s Rise: Joe Rogan Influence & Shark Tank Rejection

(33:24) Job Search Journey and Video Resume Success

(35:58) Video Resumes for Strategic Networking and Job Applications

(43:45) Finding the Right Company Fit & Overcoming Job Search Challenges

(53:48) Leveraging AI for Job Search and Deep Research

(56:58) Networking and Job Application Success Strategies

(1:01:57) Leveraging LinkedIn for Career Growth and Personal Branding

(1:09:07) Content Strategies for Networking and Job Opportunities

(1:15:35) Embracing Uncomfortable Growth Through Podcasting

(1:21:19) Balancing Book Writing and LinkedIn Presence

(1:25:39) Clear vs Clever Podcast Titles

(1:28:14) Understanding NFTs and Digital Art

(1:29:46) Leveraging Podcasts for Networking and Career Growth