The Recruitment Show with Lewis Maleh

Hosted by Bentley Lewis

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Episodes

358

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Work is the biggest investment you will EVER make in your life. The time you spend at work takes up most of your life! The Recruitment show podcast provides an inside view of how most companies look for, assess and hire new employees, as well as exploring the impact of culture and leadership within the workplace. In each podcast offers professional knowledge, insights and advice on the biggest subjects in today's working industry, finding the work-life balance that's right for you. Visit bentleylewis.com for more information.

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60 recent

September 11, 20266 min

You Hired the Wrong Person. Now What?

You’ve interviewed them, checked the experience, got everyone’s opinion and made the hire. Then they start, and something just doesn’t feel right. So what do you do when you realise you may have hired the wrong person? In this episode, Lewis Maleh looks at one of the more uncomfortable parts of hiring: what happens when a new hire isn’t working out. From getting the first 90 days and onboarding right, to deciding whether someone needs more support or whether it’s time to part ways, Lewis explains why the worst option is often doing nothing. Because sometimes the right decision is to invest more. And sometimes, for everyone involved, it’s knowing when to call it. Topics include: hiring mistakes, onboarding, the first 90 days, developing employees, performance, leadership and knowing when to part ways. ---- 🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff. Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

September 4, 20265 min

AI Won’t Take Your Job. Someone Using It Will

AI is already changing how we work, and the people embracing it are starting to pull ahead. In this episode of Espresso with Lewis, Lewis looks at why ignoring AI could become one of the biggest risks to your career, and why learning how to use it could help you stay relevant, increase your value and open up new opportunities. He shares what he’s seeing in executive hiring, how AI is already changing the way teams work, and why the people landing leadership roles are often the ones willing to learn, experiment and adapt. You don’t need to become an AI expert or learn how to code. But you do need to understand how these tools are changing your role and how you can use them to become better at what you do. If you’re wondering what AI means for your job, salary and future career, this episode is for you. ---- 🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff. Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

September 1, 202646 min

AI, Trust and the Future of Hiring | Tharishni Arumugam, Aon

AI is changing how we work, hire and lead. But as the technology becomes more capable, how do we make sure we can still trust what we see? In this special Dive In Festival episode of The Recruitment Show , Lewis Maleh sits down with Tharishni Arumugam, Global AI Compliance Director at Aon , to explore the realities of AI in the workplace and what organisations need to be thinking about now. From candidates using AI during the hiring process to questions around authenticity, governance and human judgement, Tharishni shares her perspective on navigating a world where the line between human and AI-generated work is becoming increasingly difficult to see. They discuss the opportunities AI creates, the risks organisations need to understand, and why people, trust and responsible decision-making still matter as technology continues to evolve. This episode is part of our special Dive In Festival series , featuring conversations with senior leaders on leadership, AI, culture and the future of work. Show Notes: Dive In Festival ⁠ https://diveinfestival.com⁠ Connect with Tharishni Arumugam https://www.linkedin.com/in/tharishni-arumugam-a9888667 ---- Connect with Lewis Maleh ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh⁠ Learn more about Bentley Lewis ⁠https://bentleylewis.com⁠

August 28, 20265 min

How to Find Jobs That Are Never Advertised

Some of the best job opportunities never make it onto a job board. In this episode, Lewis Maleh breaks down how to put yourself in a position to find those opportunities, from building the right network and making your LinkedIn profile discoverable to developing a personal brand that brings opportunities to you. He also shares advice for people at different stages of their careers, including why you don’t need to have everything figured out in your 20s and what changes once you start moving into leadership roles. If you’re looking for your next opportunity, or simply want to make sure the right people can find you, this episode is for you. ---- 🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff. Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

August 21, 202616 min

The Skills That Matter in 2026: AI, EQ and the Future of Work

The skills employers value are changing fast. So what will actually make you valuable in 2026 and beyond? In this episode of Espresso with Lewis, Lewis Maleh breaks down LinkedIn's latest Skills on the Rise report and shares his biggest takeaways for anyone thinking about their career, their team or the future of work. From AI literacy and strategic thinking to emotional intelligence and relationship building, Lewis explores why the future isn't simply about becoming more technical. As AI becomes embedded into more jobs, the skills that make us distinctly human could become even more valuable. In this episode: • Why AI literacy is becoming a baseline skill • The human skills AI will struggle to replace • Why strategic thinking is becoming more important • Why EQ and cultural intelligence aren't "soft skills" • How AI is changing the role of managers • Why traditional, linear careers are changing • What younger generations want from their careers • Why your ability to learn could matter more than years of experience • How to keep your skills relevant as work continues to change The takeaway is simple: don't stand still. You don't need to become an AI expert overnight, but you do need to keep learning, experimenting and developing the skills that will matter in the years ahead. ---- 🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff. Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

August 14, 20269 min

Is Job Hopping Really a Red Flag?

Today on Espresso with Lewis, I’m talking about one of those hiring debates that keeps coming up: is job hopping really a red flag? A few months ago, I asked whether you’d be reluctant to hire someone who had four or five jobs in the space of five to seven years. The responses were interesting, but the bigger question is whether the number of moves really tells you enough about someone. Bad bosses, toxic cultures, redundancies, roles that weren’t the right fit. There are plenty of reasons someone’s career might not look perfectly linear. In this episode, I discuss why context matters, how candidates should explain frequent moves honestly, and why hiring managers should think twice before dismissing someone based on their CV alone. I also cover: • When job hopping can become a genuine concern • Why leaving a bad working environment isn’t necessarily a red flag • How to explain short tenures in an interview • Why saying you “signed an NDA” is bad interview advice • What hiring managers should ask before making assumptions • Why staying two or three years in a role might be perfectly normal today • How redundancies and changing markets have reshaped career histories Sometimes there could be an incredible candidate hiding behind four or five moves. You won’t know unless you have the conversation. What do you think? Is job hopping still a red flag? ---- 🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff. Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

August 11, 202641 min

Leading Through Change: Stephanie Ogden on AI, Careers & Modern Leadership

Today on The Recruitment Show , Lewis Maleh is joined by Stephanie Ogden, CEO of Munich Re Syndicate , for the first episode in our special Dive In Festival series. From walking into a new organisation knowing just one person to leading through uncertainty and navigating the rise of AI, Stephanie shares an honest perspective on what leadership really looks like today. Together they discuss: • What it's really like starting as CEO in a global organisation • Why staying comfortable can hold you back • The rise of AI and the importance of protecting your authentic voice • Why negotiation, judgement and human relationships still matter • Advice for professionals looking to build meaningful careers • Hybrid working, leadership and the future of work Whether you're leading a business, building your career, or simply curious about how AI is changing leadership, this conversation offers practical insights for leaders at every stage of their career. This episode is the first in our special Dive In Festival series, exploring leadership, AI, culture and the future of work through conversations with senior leaders. Show Notes: Dive In Festival https://diveinfestival.com Connect with Stephanie Ogden https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-ogden-6b72a710/ ---- Connect with Lewis Maleh https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh Learn more about Bentley Lewis https://bentleylewis.com

August 7, 20269 min

Feeling Stuck in Your Career? Here's How to Get Back on Track

Feeling stuck in your career? You're not alone. In this episode, Lewis Maleh shares practical advice for anyone who feels they've lost direction, missed out on opportunities, or simply isn't sure what comes next. He explains why you don't need to have your entire career mapped out, how to set meaningful goals without adding pressure, and why success isn't always about climbing the corporate ladder. Lewis also shares the framework he uses to review his own progress, the importance of building a personal board of directors, and how small, consistent actions can create long-term career growth. Whether you're just starting out, changing direction, or reassessing what's important, this episode offers practical ideas to help you move forward with confidence. In this episode: Why it's normal to feel stuck How to define success on your own terms A simple annual career review exercise Setting goals without feeling overwhelmed Why course-correcting is a strength Building your own personal board of directors Practical steps to regain momentum 🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff. ---- Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

July 31, 20264 min

Backchannel References: What Hiring Managers Really Ask Behind Closed Doors

Most references are official. Backchannel references are different. In this episode, Lewis Maleh explores the reality of informal references in executive hiring, why they happen, and why hiring managers should be careful not to let a single opinion outweigh the evidence. He discusses: What backchannel references are Why they happen in executive search How much weight hiring managers should give them Why context matters before making a hiring decision What candidates should understand about professional reputation 🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff. ---- Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

July 24, 20269 min

Why You're Never Hearing About the Best Executive Jobs

Most senior leadership roles are never advertised. Instead, they're filled through executive search firms, referrals and private networks. If recruiters can't find you, you may never even know the opportunity existed. In this episode, Lewis Maleh explains how executive search really works, from market mapping and longlists to shortlists and final interviews. He also shares practical advice on how to become more visible to executive recruiters, build meaningful relationships with search firms and position yourself for future leadership opportunities. Whether you're actively looking for your next role or simply planning ahead, understanding how executive search works can completely change your approach to career progression. In this episode: Why many executive roles are never advertised How executive search firms identify candidates Why networking matters more than applying online How LinkedIn helps recruiters find talent What recruiters look for during executive interviews Practical ways to become more visible in the hidden job market 🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff. ---- Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com