Answer the Call | Christian Career Coaching

Kelsey Kemp
  • 4.9 (88)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The premier podcast helping Christian professionals discern their calling and land a job that's aligned with it. Tune in for weekly episodes on faith, mindset, clarifying your calling, top job search strategies, and even a few lessons on entrepreneurship for those of you who feel called to start a business. Kelsey Kemp is an ex-tech consultant, multi-time founder, TEDx speaker, and career coach at TheCalledCareer.com who has helped hundreds of professionals make meaningful career pivots, from New York to New Zealand, lawyers to high school teachers, 21-65 years old.

  1. 4H AGO

    261: How Our Client Landed a Senior Customer Success Manager Role After a Layoff & Rejections | Anu’s Story

    Job searching can be one of the hardest seasons of your career, especially when a layoff comes unexpectedly and you’re responsible for providing for your family. But it can also be one of the most refining seasons of your life. In this episode, Audrey sits down with former coaching client Anu to share her job search journey, from months of applications and final-round rejections to landing a Senior Customer Success Manager role with a salary increase and a clear leadership path. You’ll learn: How to keep going after multiple interview rejections Why interviewing is a skill you can improve How to explain your career pivot with clarity Why strategy matters more than sending hundreds of applications How faith helped during the job search If you’re currently job hunting, facing rejection, or trying to pivot careers, this episode will give you both practical advice and encouragement to keep moving forward. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 00:53 Meet Anu 04:36 Finding career clarity & overcoming imposter syndrome 04:50 Pivoting toward a Customer Success Manager career 10:33 How to manage job search stress 18:26 Why interviewing is a skill you can improve 24:13 How she got the job! 29:48 Long-term career goals in Customer Success 32:02 Advice for job seekers facing rejection

    37 min

  2. MAR 10

    260: How to Bounce Back After a Brutal Layoff | Larry’s Story

    In this episode, we sit down with Larry to talk about what it really looks like to navigate a difficult job search after an unexpected layoff. After losing his job with almost no warning, Larry had to figure out what to do next. Through persistence, community, and faith, he rebuilt momentum in his job search and eventually landed not one, but two job offers. We discuss: How strategic outreach helped land interviews quickly The resume changes that made recruiters respond How to prepare for interviews effectively What to do when you face rejection after multiple interview rounds How to manage burnout during a long job search The importance of faith, prayer, and community during the job hunt If you’re currently job searching, feeling discouraged, or wondering how to stay motivated after setbacks, this episode will encourage you and give you practical steps to keep moving forward. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 02:40 What To Do Immediately After Losing Your Job 04:10 The Outreach Strategy That Landed Interviews 06:00 Resume Changes That Got Recruiters’ Attention 08:15 Learning How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” 10:05 The Shift That Improved His Interviews 13:30 How To Handle Rejection After Multiple Rounds 17:00 Avoiding Job Search Burnout 23:10 The Interview He Thought He Failed 29:40 How He Ended Up With Two Job Offers 43:10 Advice for Anyone Who Was Just Laid Off

    48 min

  3. MAR 3

    259: How to ACE Team, Peer, Technical, and Executive Interviews

    Welcome to the 4th episode of our “Why You’re Getting Rejected” series!  If you haven’t watched the first three episodes yet, make sure to check out the full playlist so you can understand the entire hiring process from start to finish:  In this episode, we’re breaking down what happens after the hiring manager interview, because the interview process can vary wildly depending on company, industry, and seniority level. We discuss: The most common interview types you may face next What sequences tend to look like for small businesses, startups, and large corporations How the interview process changes by role level A step-by-step plan to prepare for each type of interview How to approach role-specific assessments How to prepare for the final executive interview If you’ve ever made it past round two and still didn’t get the offer, this episode will help you understand why, and exactly how to prepare differently next time. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus READ THE FULL COMPANION BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE HERE: https://thecalledcareer.com/how-to-ace-team-peer-technical-and-executive-interviews/ BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 02:40 – Overview of The Common Interview Types 04:00 – Peer & Cross-Functional Interviews Explained 05:26 – Small Business Interview Process Breakdown 06:45 – Startup Interview Process Breakdown 08:00 – Large Corporation / Structured Interview Process Breakdown 08:30 – How the Process Changes by Seniority Level 10:30 – Entry-Level Interview Expectations 12:45 – Mid-Level Interview Expectations 15:30 – Senior-Level Interview Expectations 17:45 – Executive-Level / Director Interviews 18:38 – Ask the Recruiter What’s Next (Don’t Guess) 20:10 – Reaching Out to Recent Hires for Insight 22:28 – Peer/Team Interviews: What They’re Evaluating 25:58 – How to Prepare for Peer Interviews Step-by-Step 28:40 – Common Peer Interview Questions 35:25 – Role-Specific Assessments Overview 37:10 – Case Study Interviews: How to Structure Answers 39:30 – Technical Assessments: What They’re Looking For 41:20 – Presentation Interviews: How to Stand Out 45:05 – Final Executive Interview: What Actually Matters 47:10 – Executive Presence & Strategic Thinking 49:00 – Questions to Ask in the Final Round 51:18 – Offer Conversations & Reference Checks

    56 min

  4. FEB 24

    258: This ONE Simple Shift Can Transform Your Interviews

    Have you ever made it to the next round of interviews… and still not get the offer? In this episode, we break down the #1 non-obvious reason hiring managers reject candidates after the second round. Spoiler: it’s not your experience, but how you communicate it. We discuss how to: Turn interviews into conversations instead of interrogations Ask strategic questions that reveal what the hiring manager actually wants Stop “playing blind” and tailor your answers in real time Handle gaps in experience with confidence and honesty Ask for next steps so you’re not left in limbo If you’ve been getting to final rounds but not landing the offer, this episode will show you exactly what to fix. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 01:37 – The ONE mistake candidates make 03:01 – The 2 questions every hiring manager is asking 04:41 – Stop being transactional in interviews 06:18 – Why job descriptions aren’t enough 07:51 – How to start the interview the right way 11:25 – The most powerful question to ask: “What separates good from great?” 14:06 – Don’t play blind for the rest of the interview 20:03 – Real-life example from a hiring manager (Kevin’s story) 23:55 – What if you don’t have all the experience? 27:58 – Always ask about next steps

    32 min

  5. FEB 17

    257: How to ACE Your Phone Screen Interview & Move Forward

    You made it to the first interview. You felt like it went well. And then… you got the rejection email. In this episode, we break down exactly what recruiters are looking for during the first interview (especially the recruiter phone screen), and why candidates get rejected after making it to the top 3% of applicants. You’ll learn: Why only ~3% of applicants make it to the interview stage 2 reasons you might get rejected that have nothing to do with you 5 quick fixes you can implement immediately 5 deeper improvements that require practice How to fix professionalism red flags The biggest energy mistake candidates make How to answer salary questions confidently Why clarity creates confidence (and job offers) How to close your interview strong This episode is especially helpful if: You keep getting interviews but no offers You feel like interviews “go well” but you don’t move forward You’re a career pivoter trying to position your experience You want Christian career coaching that’s both practical and biblical Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 01:00 – The Purpose of a Recruiter Phone Screen 02:45 – Why Only 3% Get the Interview 07:00 – 2 Reasons You Get Rejected 14:30 – Professionalism Red Flags 20:00 – Energy & Contribution vs Getting Mindset 25:40 – 90-Second Interview Prep Plan 28:00 – Salary Expectations: What to Say (and Not Say) 32:00 – Clarity = Confidence (What Recruiters Want to Hear) 39:20 – How to Close Strong and Move Forward

    44 min

  6. FEB 10

    256: Why Your Resume Keeps Getting Rejected by Recruiters

    If you’re job hunting and keep getting rejected before you even land an interview, this episode is for you. This is Part 1 of our “Why You’re Getting Rejected” series, where we break down exactly why recruiters reject candidates at the application stage, including both the obvious mistakes and the lesser-known red flags most people miss. In this episode, we cover: Why generic resumes get rejected immediately How recruiters actually scan applications Resume, keyword, and formatting mistakes that disqualify candidates LinkedIn issues recruiters notice but rarely explain Why being “qualified” still isn’t enough We hope this episode brings clarity, hope, and encouragement as you make practical changes that actually move the needle in your job search. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 03:06 – You can land a job! 05:34 – Red flag # 1 09:15 – Red flag # 2  15:16 – Red flag # 3 22:40 – Red flag # 4 26:56 – Lesser known rejection reasons 34:29 – Career hopping, overqualification, and missing narratives 42:51 – Cover letters, LinkedIn gaps, and what to fix next

    46 min

  7. FEB 3

    255: The Power of Persistence in a Long Job Search | Christina’s Story

    What does it look like to trust God in your career when the path feels slow, discouraging, and unclear at all? In this client success story, Audrey sits down with Christina to share her powerful career journey marked by persistence, discernment, and deep trust in God’s provision. As a single foster mom, Christina needed a role that supported both her calling at home and her professional gifts – and that journey came with plenty of pivots, rejection, and waiting. Audrey and Christina discuss: How to stay persistent in a long and emotional job search When to pivot your career strategy without losing sight of your calling Why networking and referrals matter more than online applications How faith, intuition, and effort work together in career decisions What it really means to trust God as your provider If you’re navigating career confusion, waiting on God for your next step, or searching for work that aligns with your faith and life season, this is for you. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 01:17 – Why career change was necessary 09:27 – Hitting roadblocks and learning when to pivot 12:18 – Redefining success and staying persistent 15:04 – Mental health, rejection, and taking breaks 24:22 – Lessons from the story of Ruth 36:56 – How networking and referrals worked 41:34 – Why proactive outreach made the difference 46:00 – Community impact and unexpected blessings 48:28 – Encouragement for discouraged job seekers

    55 min

  8. JAN 27

    254: How He Pivoted Careers Into Tech Sales Without Starting Over | Tyler’s Story

    Isn’t entrepreneurship the dream? For years, our client Tyler has lived it – running his own video production business and enjoying the freedom many people chase. But over time, he realized that entrepreneurship wasn’t the calling for this season.  In this episode, Audrey and Tyler discuss: Why entrepreneurship isn’t always the right path How to pivot careers without starting over Breaking into tech sales without prior experience Using bold outreach in a job search Trusting God through a career change If you’re looking for inspiration to make a career pivot, no matter how impossible you may think it is, this episode is for you. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 00:00 – From video production to tech sales 01:09 – Why entrepreneurship wasn’t the end goal 03:37 – The hidden downsides of freelancing 06:21 – Knowing it was time for a career change 07:26 – Fear and uncertainty in a job pivot 09:07 – The power of self-reflection and clarity 12:48 – Choosing sales with confidence 15:47 – What boldness looked like in his job search 19:31 – The LinkedIn message that changed everything 23:09 – Landing the job over the holidays 27:01 – Faith, favor, and God opening doors 30:48 – Encouragement for Christians considering a pivot 34:16 – Final advice and testimony

    37 min
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About

The premier podcast helping Christian professionals discern their calling and land a job that's aligned with it. Tune in for weekly episodes on faith, mindset, clarifying your calling, top job search strategies, and even a few lessons on entrepreneurship for those of you who feel called to start a business. Kelsey Kemp is an ex-tech consultant, multi-time founder, TEDx speaker, and career coach at TheCalledCareer.com who has helped hundreds of professionals make meaningful career pivots, from New York to New Zealand, lawyers to high school teachers, 21-65 years old.

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