Customer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager (CSM)

Carly Agar | Customer Success Career Coach
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Customer Success Career Coach is the must-listen podcast for current and aspiring Customer Success pros. Join us as we spill the secret strategies and tips for building your Customer Success career. This isn't your typical snooze-fest – we're diving deep into the world of Customer Success careers. Whether you're starting from scratch (hey career transitioners!) or eyeing that next big promotion, we've got the playbook for you. I'm Carly Agar, your trusty 10+ year CS veteran and award-winning CS career coach, and I'm here to turn your career dreams into reality. Every Wednesday, join me and some amazing guests as we dish out practical advice and real-life steps you can actually use. No fluff, just stuff you can apply ASAP to score that dream job, snag that promotion, or become the team rockstar. What's on the Menu? 🔥 Pro Tips: Learn the tricks of the trade from seasoned pros. 🚀 Career Growth Hacks: Elevate your game, one episode at a time. 🔄 Unexpected Paths: Hear stories that'll make you rethink your career's GPS. Follow Carly on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/. For free job search tools, go to www.carlyagar.com/freebies. To work with Carly, go to https://www.carlyagar.com/apply Popular Episode Topics Include: Customer Success Career Tips for a CSM, Proven Job Interview Strategies and Professional Growth as a Customer Success Manager, SaaS Customer Success Career Tips for a CSM, Preparing for Your Next Customer Success Interview, Mastering Common CSM Interview Questions, Building a Standout Customer Success Resume, Landing Customer Success Jobs, Customer Success Skills Every CSM Needs to Grow

  1. 4d ago

    136. 5 Ways the CSM Role is Changing in 2026 (Beyond the Obvious Stuff)

    Everyone’s talking about how the CSM role is changing, but what are companies actually looking for in 2026? I analyzed 25 CSM job descriptions from 2025 and 2026, and there were some really interesting patterns that I don’t hear enough people talking about. I’m breaking down what’s changing around AI, commercial experience, scaled CS and customer value, plus two things I hear CSMs lead with all the time that might actually make you sound a little outdated. You’ll walk away knowing which skills are becoming more valuable and how to position your experience for where CS is headed next. If you want to stay competitive and make smarter moves in your customer success career, hit play and let’s dive in. And if you feel like you have the right experience but aren’t sure how to position it for what companies want today, apply for coaching HERE and let’s repackage your experience together. 0:01 – Why the CSM Job Description Has Changed So Dramatically 2:55 – How AI Went From Nice-to-Have to Non-Negotiable 5:09 – Why Commercial Independence Is the Make-or-Break Skill 8:31 – The Fastest Way to Prove Revenue Impact on Your Resume 10:31 – What Happens When Scaled Motions Move Upmarket 11:44 – Why Customer Value Now Means Real Financial ROI 14:04 – The Biggest Skills That Just Disappeared From Job Descriptions 16:22 – What You Should Really Lead With in CS Interviews 17:17 – Stop Panicking: Why You Already Have More Skills Than You Think OTHER EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE: 🎙️Episode 134: What to (And Not To) Say About AI in Your CS Interviews FREEBIES & RESOURCES: 🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE 🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume 🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself 🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral CONNECT WITH ME: ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/ 💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode136 FOLLOW & REVIEW: Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things: 👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop 👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify! This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week. New episodes drop every Wednesday!

    136. 5 Ways the CSM Role is Changing in 2026 (Beyond the Obvious Stuff)

  2. Aug 26

    135. You Nailed the CSM Interview and Still Got Rejected. Here's 4 Reasons Why

    You can nail every interview question and still lose the CSM job offer to someone else. In this episode, I’m breaking down four reasons that happens, and none of them have to do with your experience or whether your answers were technically good. I’ll show you what hiring managers are actually assessing, how to make your interview stories prove you can replicate your results, why being too humble can cost you the offer, and the overlooked part of the interview that could be quietly working against you. You’ll walk away knowing exactly what to change before your next interview. If you want to turn more great interviews into actual job offers, hit play and let’s dive in. And if you’re tired of great interviews not turning into job offers, apply for coaching HERE and let’s sharpen your interview strategy together. 0:01 – Why Great Answers Alone Won’t Land the Job Offer 2:47 – How Being Too Polished Can Backfire in Interviews 6:47 – The Fastest Way to Show How You Think, Not Just What You’ve Done 10:46 – Why Skipping Numbers in Stories Hurts Your Interview 12:57 – What Happens When You Don’t Ask Smart Questions Back 16:24 – The Four Simple Shifts Anyone Can Make to Get Hired OTHER EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE: 🎙️Episode 62: Power Questions: 10 Smart Questions to Ask in Your Next Interview 🎙️Episode 127: AI Won't Replace You as a CSM (But It Does Raise the Bar) with Dan Ennis FREEBIES & RESOURCES: 🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE 🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume 🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself 🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral CONNECT WITH ME: ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/ 💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode135 FOLLOW & REVIEW: Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things: 👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop 👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify! This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week. New episodes drop every Wednesday!

    135. You Nailed the CSM Interview and Still Got Rejected. Here's 4 Reasons Why

  3. Aug 19

    134. What to (And Not To) Say About AI in Your CS Interviews

    If you think telling a hiring manager you use AI to write emails faster is proving your AI fluency, you might be setting the bar way too low. In this episode, I’m breaking down what hiring managers actually want to hear about AI in your CS interviews, why efficiency alone is no longer enough, and four specific ways to show that you’re using AI to make a bigger impact with your customers. I’ll also share the AI terminology worth knowing so you can walk into interviews feeling prepared without becoming an AI expert. If you want to prove you’re keeping up with AI and stand out for the right reasons in your next CS interview, hit play and let’s dive in. And if all the changes happening in CS have you wondering what it actually takes to land your next role, apply for coaching HERE and let’s get you on the right track. 00:45 – What AI fluency actually means in CS hiring right now 02:19 – Why using AI for efficiency is no longer enough to stand out 05:04 – What hiring managers want to see from your AI usage 07:19 – How AI can help you have smarter customer conversations 09:06 – Using AI to uncover deeper insights about account health 12:08 – How AI can help you become a more strategic customer partner 17:26 – The terminology worth knowing before your next CS interview OTHER EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE: 🎙️Episode 132: A CS Hiring Manager Who Interviewed 3,000 CSMs Tells You What Gets You Hired (with Michael Boyd) 🎙️Episode 128: How To Impress a CS Hiring Manager (from a CS Hiring Manager) - with Eric Clouse! 🎙️Episode 127: AI Won't Replace You as a CSM (But It Does Raise the Bar) - with Dan Ennis! FREEBIES & RESOURCES: 🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE 🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume 🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself 🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral CONNECT WITH ME: ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/ 💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode134 FOLLOW & REVIEW: Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things: 👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop 👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify! This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week. New episodes drop every Wednesday!

    134. What to (And Not To) Say About AI in Your CS Interviews

  4. Aug 12

    133. 3 Quick Resume Edits That Get CSMs More Interviews in 10 Mins or Less

    Your resume might be the reason you're not getting interviews and it has nothing to do with your experience. In this episode, I'm sharing three resume edits you can make in 10 minutes or less that help recruiters instantly understand your value. We'll talk about why numbers can actually hurt you without the right context, what hiring managers need to see before they care about your results, and the simple change that makes you stand out from hundreds of other CSMs with similar experience. If you want your resume to tell a stronger story and give yourself a better chance of landing more interviews, hit play and let’s dive in. And if you want expert help to uncover what makes you uniquely hireable, apply for coaching HERE and let's build a resume that stands out. 01:51 – Why the numbers on your resume might be sending the wrong message to recruiters 03:35 – The simple change that gives your achievements the context they need to stand out 06:32 – The resume details hiring managers need before they care about your results 10:18 – Why your resume should explain more than just what you accomplished 12:09 – How to showcase what makes you different from every other CSM applying 14:55 – The simple resume review to help you stand out in just a few minutes FREEBIES & RESOURCES: 🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE 🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume 🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself 🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral CONNECT WITH ME: ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/ 💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode133 FOLLOW & REVIEW: Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things: 👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop 👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify! This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week. New episodes drop every Wednesday!

    133. 3 Quick Resume Edits That Get CSMs More Interviews in 10 Mins or Less

  5. Aug 5

    132. A CS Hiring Manager Who Interviewed 3,000 CSMs Tells You What Gets You Hired with Michael Boyd

    When you've interviewed more than 3,000 CSMs, you start to see exactly what separates the candidates who get hired from the ones who don't. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Michael Boyd, a three time VP of Customer Success who has hired more than 100 CSMs, to unpack what hiring managers are really looking for in today's market. We talk about how to stand out in technical interviews even if you're not highly technical, the two out of three rule he uses when evaluating candidates, and what AI fluency actually looks like now that it has become an expectation instead of a bonus. By the end of this conversation, you'll know what hiring managers are actually paying attention to, where candidates often miss the mark, and how to position yourself as the kind of CSM companies want to hire. If you are ready to stop guessing what hiring managers want and start interviewing with more confidence, hit play and let's dive in. And if you're tired of knowing you're qualified but not getting the offer, apply for coaching HERE and let's help you land your next Customer Success job. 02:30 – What hiring managers actually want before they hire 06:40 – The interview red flags that should make you think twice 11:15 – What technical interviews are really testing 17:15 – The two out of three rule for landing stretch roles 21:20 – Why the best CSMs are becoming more consultative in the age of AI 32:31 – What AI fluency really looks like in an interview FREEBIES & RESOURCES: 🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE 🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume 🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself 🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral CONNECT WITH ME: ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/ 💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode132 FOLLOW & REVIEW: Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things: 👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop 👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify! This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week. New episodes drop every Wednesday!

    132. A CS Hiring Manager Who Interviewed 3,000 CSMs Tells You What Gets You Hired with Michael Boyd

  6. Jul 29

    131. 3 Reasons You’re Not Landing CS Interviews (And It’s Not Your Experience)

    Why are customer success professionals with great experience still getting rejected for interviews? In this episode, I'm sharing the three biggest shifts happening in today's hiring market that most job seekers are completely missing. I'll explain why experience alone is no longer enough, the common job search strategies that are quietly holding you back, and what hiring managers are actually looking for when they review your resume. You'll walk away with a completely different perspective on why your applications are being overlooked and what needs to change to start getting interviews again. If you are ready to stop blending in and position yourself as the candidate companies are actually searching for, hit play and let’s dive in. And if you're ready to stop relying on outdated job search advice, apply for coaching HERE and let's build a strategy that works in today's market. 00:52 – Why having more experience isn't what lands CS interviews anymore 04:03 – The hiring shifts that quietly changed what companies expect from CSMs 07:42 – Why being a great CSM is no longer enough to get hired 10:10 – Why referrals aren't as reliable as they used to be in today's job market 11:09 – The resume mistake that makes you look like every other candidate 14:04 – Why sending more applications could actually be hurting your job search FREEBIES & RESOURCES: 🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE 🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume 🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself 🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral CONNECT WITH ME: ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/ 💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode131 FOLLOW & REVIEW: Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things: 👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop 👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify! This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week. New episodes drop every Wednesday!

    131. 3 Reasons You’re Not Landing CS Interviews (And It’s Not Your Experience)

  7. Jul 22

    130. 5 Things NOT to Say About a Career Gap in a Customer Success Job Interview

    What if your career gap is not the problem at all, but the way you're talking about it is? If you've ever frozen when an interviewer asked about time away from work, this episode will show you exactly how to answer with confidence instead of second guessing yourself. I'll walk you through the five biggest mistakes I see Customer Success professionals make when explaining a career gap, plus what to say instead so hiring managers focus on your value instead of your time away. You'll walk away with a simple framework to own your story, avoid common interview mistakes, and leave a stronger impression. If you want to stop letting your career gap hold you back, hit play and let’s dive in. And if you're not sure how to talk about your career gap in interviews, apply for coaching HERE and let's build your answers together. 00:44 – The one interview question that trips up even the most experienced CS professionals 02:39 – Why career gaps are not the problem and what hiring managers actually care about 04:29 – The mistake that makes interviewers question your career gap before you even finish answering 06:20 – Why talking about what you're leaving behind can hurt your chances 07:23 – The overlooked advantage hiding inside your career gap 11:03 – The interview habit that makes you sound less confident without realizing it FREEBIES & RESOURCES: 🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE 🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume 🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself 🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral CONNECT WITH ME: ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/ 💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode130 FOLLOW & REVIEW: Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things: 👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop 👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify! This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week. New episodes drop every Wednesday!

    130. 5 Things NOT to Say About a Career Gap in a Customer Success Job Interview

  8. Jul 15

    129. 5 Salary Negotiation Mistakes CSMs Make

    Are you making one of the biggest salary negotiation mistakes without even realizing it? In this episode, I’m breaking down the five negotiation mistakes I see Customer Success Managers make over and over, and why they could be costing you thousands of dollars. I’ll share real coaching stories from my clients, the simple questions that can completely change an offer, and how to negotiate with more confidence without feeling pushy or difficult. You’ll walk away knowing how to approach your next offer strategically so you can maximize your compensation and avoid leaving money on the table. If you want to get paid what you’re worth and negotiate your next offer with confidence, hit play and let’s dive in. And if you want expert support from resume to negotiation, apply for coaching HERE and let’s build a job search strategy that gets results. 00:45 – Why one word in your job offer could be costing you thousands 03:39 – The salary negotiation shift most Customer Success Managers never think to make 08:34 – The difference between getting a good offer and getting the best possible one 09:04 – Why playing it safe during salary negotiations can cost you more than you think 11:06 – The negotiation mistake that gives away your leverage before the conversation even starts 14:44 – The biggest salary negotiation mistake Customer Success Managers make after getting an offer FREEBIES & RESOURCES: 🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE 🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume 🛎️ Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself 🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral CONNECT WITH ME: ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/ 💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode129 FOLLOW & REVIEW: Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things: 👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop 👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify! This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week. New episodes drop every Wednesday!

    129. 5 Salary Negotiation Mistakes CSMs Make
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About

Customer Success Career Coach is the must-listen podcast for current and aspiring Customer Success pros. Join us as we spill the secret strategies and tips for building your Customer Success career. This isn't your typical snooze-fest – we're diving deep into the world of Customer Success careers. Whether you're starting from scratch (hey career transitioners!) or eyeing that next big promotion, we've got the playbook for you. I'm Carly Agar, your trusty 10+ year CS veteran and award-winning CS career coach, and I'm here to turn your career dreams into reality. Every Wednesday, join me and some amazing guests as we dish out practical advice and real-life steps you can actually use. No fluff, just stuff you can apply ASAP to score that dream job, snag that promotion, or become the team rockstar. What's on the Menu? 🔥 Pro Tips: Learn the tricks of the trade from seasoned pros. 🚀 Career Growth Hacks: Elevate your game, one episode at a time. 🔄 Unexpected Paths: Hear stories that'll make you rethink your career's GPS. Follow Carly on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/. For free job search tools, go to www.carlyagar.com/freebies. To work with Carly, go to https://www.carlyagar.com/apply Popular Episode Topics Include: Customer Success Career Tips for a CSM, Proven Job Interview Strategies and Professional Growth as a Customer Success Manager, SaaS Customer Success Career Tips for a CSM, Preparing for Your Next Customer Success Interview, Mastering Common CSM Interview Questions, Building a Standout Customer Success Resume, Landing Customer Success Jobs, Customer Success Skills Every CSM Needs to Grow

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