Art of Search - Hiring Manager Series

Hosted by Somer Hackley and Zen Mak

Business Careers

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Episodes

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

These are stories and insights about all things hiring.

Listen to episodes

45 recent

October 21, 2026Episode 118 min

Stop Screening Out- Asking Better Questions When a Search Gets Stuck

What happens when a search gets stuck in the first round? This week, Somer and Zen explore how to get unstuck by rethinking the way we screen candidates. In a recruiting landscape where AI can help identify candidates who match 90–95% of a search’s criteria, the interview itself becomes even more critical. Vague questions and surface level answers can lead to missed opportunities and great candidates being passed on too soon. Somer and Zen discuss the power of screening in rather than screening out, asking more pointed questions, and providing context that encourages candidates to share deeper insights into their experience, personality, and potential. Sometimes, the right candidate isn’t missing from the search , we just haven’t asked the right questions yet. Tune in to this week’s episode with Somer and Zen to discover how asking better questions can unlock the talent you’ve been looking for.

October 7, 2026Episode 109 min

The Art of the Pivot: When Search Strategies Need to Shift

Executive search rarely follows a perfectly straight line. This week, Somer and Zen dig into what happens after a search kicks off, how often the original parameters need to evolve, when it’s time to reassess the strategy, and why flexibility can be one of the most important parts of finding the right executive. A successful search isn’t always about sticking rigidly to the original plan. Sometimes finding the best possible candidate means knowing when, why, and how to adjust the search along the way. Tune in this week as Somer and Zen explore the art of knowing when to stay the course and when to pivot.

September 3, 2026Episode 96 min

Standing Out in the Age of AI

AI has made finding candidates faster than ever but has it made recruiting harder? This week, Somer and Zen dive into the new reality of recruiting: when everyone is using AI to find talent and fill inboxes with outreach, how do you actually get someone to reply? They explore why referrals still reign supreme, why great recruiting is about more than finding the right person, and why building genuine relationships may be more important than ever. Because when AI makes recruiting more automated, scalable, and impersonal, the best way to stand out might be to go back to basics: be human. Tune in for a conversation about AI, candidate engagement, referrals, relationships, and what it really takes to be a great recruiter in an increasingly AI-driven world.

April 29, 2026Episode 812 min

Inheriting the Search: How Recruiters Handle Long-Running Searches

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series , Somer and Zen dive into a common but complex recruiting challenge—what happens when you inherit a role that’s been open for a while? They walk through how recruiters should approach these situations with a fresh perspective, starting with a deep diagnostic of the search. From understanding what’s already been done to identifying gaps and patterns in the data, the first step is getting a clear lay of the land. Next, they emphasize the importance of reconnecting with the hiring manager, clarifying expectations, identifying decision-makers, and realigning on what success looks like. With this foundation, recruiters can effectively “restart” the search as if it were new, while still leveraging valuable historical insights. Somer and Zen also explore the role of AI in modern recruiting. While AI can be a powerful tool for sourcing, research, and pattern recognition, they stress that recruiting remains a fundamentally human-centered field. AI can inform decisions but it can’t make them for you. If you’ve ever had to revive a stalled search, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you reset, refocus, and deliver results. Tune in to this episode on your favorite podcast platform, and don’t forget to follow and share with your network.

April 15, 2026Episode 714 min

Tips for Setting Up a Search for Success with Gina Barge, Principal at JM Search

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring Manager Series , we’re joined by Gina Barge, Principal at JM Search, to break down how to guide hiring managers through the complexities of launching a successful search. Gina emphasizes the importance of taking a step back at kickoff to build a clear scorecard, define success criteria, and set realistic timelines and expectations. She offers thoughtful guidance on a tough scenario in hiring, replacing a regarded leader and how to help teams shift their mindset toward the future rather than replicating the past. Gina also shares how she leverages AI in her role and her advice: don’t fear AI—embrace it, learn how to use it effectively, and leverage it to elevate the parts of the job that matter most. Tune in to hear Gina’s take on building smarter, more effective searches and how embracing the right tools can elevate your impact as a hiring leader.

March 25, 2026Episode 614 min

The Hidden AI Scorecard: How Today’s C-Suite Is Quietly Being Regraded with Shelley Perry

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring in the Age of AI , we’re joined by Shelley Perry, Board Director and C-suite coach specializing in the scale-up stage of growth, to explore how AI is reshaping the way companies hire and evaluate executives. She pulls back the curtain on how AI is quietly reshaping who stays in the C-suite, who gets replaced, and who is not making the cut during the executive interview process. Shelley talks candidly about the trends she is seeing in C-suite turnover and in the hires executives are making beneath them, signals most people feel, but nobody is really saying out loud. If you are already in the c-suite today and aren’t thinking about how you are silently being ‘graded’ on AI, this conversation will make you rethink how “safe” your role really is, what you can do to stay in the game and how this may shape your next hire. If you are interviewing for a C-suite role, this conversation will help you better prepare for that interview because there are new rules to the game that you might be missing.

February 4, 2026Episode 57 min

Asking Better Questions: Interview Styles That Lead to Smarter Hires

This week on Art of Search, Somer and Zen break down interview styles that lead to better hiring decisions. They explore open-ended versus specific interview questions, what each reveals about a candidate, and why relying too heavily on one approach can leave gaps. The conversation also highlights the importance of a prepared, consistent interview process to fairly evaluate candidates and make informed decisions. A must-listen for job seekers and executive recruiters alike.

January 21, 2026Episode 420 min

Intentional Hiring in the Age of AI with Priya Reddy

This week on The Art of Search: Hiring in the Age of AI, we’re joined by Priya Reddy, Founder/CEO of Priya Reddy Consulting, former Chief Data Officer, AI and data investor, board advisor, and adjunct faculty. Priya walks us through how she thinks about intentional hiring and how that approach has evolved as AI becomes more embedded in how we build teams. Instead of checking boxes, she focuses on what really matters, clear expectations, business outcomes, long-term team fit, and building a strong culture. We also talk about where AI fits into the process. For Priya, AI is a powerful tool for speed and pattern recognition, but it works best as an assistant, not a replacement for human judgment. It’s the human side of hiring that reveals potential, values, and cultural alignment. Tune in to hear Priya’s practical insights on designing an intentional hiring process and how getting it right can shape the future trajectory of your team and company.

December 17, 2025Episode 317 min

The Go-Giver Advantage: Ha Nguyen on Networking in the Age of AI

In this episode of Art of Search: Hiring in the Age of AI, we sit down with Ha Nguyen—Fractional COO, community builder and Founder & Managing Partner of NextStep Advisory & Consulting. Ha Nguyen joins us to explore how, even in an AI-saturated world, success still hinges on showing up for people. She discusses her philosophy of being a “go-giver,” the value of building communities to help bring people together, and what it takes to be memorable in your network. While AI may help surface candidates through keywords and automation, Ha makes the case that real opportunities come from relationships and that anyone can start building theirs with intentional habits around networking. Ready to transform your network into your greatest career asset? Tune in now—listen on your favorite podcast platform.

December 10, 2025Episode 219 min

Building, Learning & Curiosity: Career Strategies from Erynn Petersen

In this episode, we’re joined by Erynn Petersen, tech leader and CEO of Emme, for a grounded and insightful look at what it takes to thrive in today’s AI-driven hiring landscape. Erynn shares the credentials and qualities she values most in candidates right now, highlighting natural curiosity, a deep connection to customers and their needs, and a practical understanding of AI concepts. Above all, she emphasizes the importance of pacing yourself, the ability to stay strong while everything around us accelerates. Erynn shifts to the job seeker’s perspective and her top advice for executives? Build something, both to demonstrate your capabilities and to stay close to how the world is evolving. Throughout the episode, she shares compelling success stories and lessons from her own career. Take a listen to learn how to stand out, stay grounded, and succeed in the age of AI.