The Hiring Confessional

Michael Hayes
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Hiring Confessional isn’t your typical career advice podcast. This is where we dig into the good, bad, and ugly of the hiring world—bad interviews, candidate horror stories, company blunders, stealth replacements, resume spam, and everything in between. Hosted by Michael Hayes of Momentum Hiring Solutions, each episode pulls back the curtain on the hiring process with raw commentary, industry guests, and stories that employers and employees are usually too polite to share.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    He Got Fired After 13 Years on Radio - Then Reinvented His Career

    He Got Fired After 13 Years on Radio - Then Reinvented His Career | Mark Asher Getting fired from the career you've built for years can feel like the end—but what if it becomes the opportunity to build something completely new? In this episode of The Hiring Confessional, recruiting expert Michael Hayes sits down with Mark Asher, former sports-radio host and now a wealth management professional, to talk about what happens when you're suddenly forced to rethink your entire career. Mark shares how he was let go from radio at 37 after spending years building a successful broadcasting career. Instead of going back to radio, he made the difficult decision to reinvent himself and enter wealth management—even though he initially knew very little about the industry. The conversation explores career change, starting over, transferable skills, networking, resilience, AI and the future of work, hiring challenges, workplace relationships, and why your personal network can become one of your biggest career assets. Mark also shares how he went from studying for multiple financial exams and starting from scratch to finishing top 10 in the country among first-year advisors. Whether you're a recruiter, HR professional, business owner, hiring manager, professional facing a career transition, or someone who's recently lost a job, this episode offers a powerful reminder that losing your career doesn't mean you've lost your future. In this episode: 🔄 How to reinvent your career after getting fired 📻 Mark's journey from sports radio to wealth management 💼 Why losing a “forever job” doesn't mean it's over 🎯 How transferable skills can help you start a new career 🤝 Why your network and relationships matter 📈 How Mark built a new career from scratch 🔥 The mindset required to keep going after a major setback 🤖 AI, jobs, and the future of the workplace 👥 Why human connection still matters in business 💡 What employers should look for beyond a resume 🏢 Building strong teams and long-term relationships 📞 Networking vs. traditional cold calling 💪 How to handle a career setback without giving up 🌟 Why there's still a light at the end of the tunnel 🔗 Connect with our Guest: 🎙 Guest: Mark Asher - Financial Professional at Southwest Wealth Strategies 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-asher-703144b/ 🏢 Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southwest-wealth-strategies/ 🔗 Connect with our Host: 🎙 Host: Michael Hayes - Job Recruiting Expert and Founder of Momentum Hiring Solutions 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhayes100200/ 🏢 Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/momentum-hiring-solutions 🌐 Website: https://mtm2recruit.com/ 🔗 Connect with The Hiring Confessional: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehiringconfessional 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehiringconfessional/ 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehiringconfessional 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHiringConfessional 🌐 Website: https://lnk.bio/thehiringconfessional 🎧 Listen to The Hiring Confessional: https://lnk.bio/thehiringconfessional If you've ever been fired, forced to change careers, or found yourself wondering “What do I do now?”—this episode is for you. 👉 Subscribe to The Hiring Confessional for more honest conversations about recruiting, hiring, careers, leadership, and workplace success. 💬 What would you do if you suddenly lost the career you'd spent years building? Tell us in the comments. #CareerChange #CareerReinvention #GettingFired #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #CareerGrowth #Hiring #Recruiting #Leadership #Networking #Resilience #Workplace #HumanResources #TalentAcquisition #Business #FinancialAdvising #TheHiringConfessional #MarkAsher #MichaelHayes

  2. Aug 5

    The Talent Pool Every Employer Is Ignoring (And Why They're Better Employees)

    Finding qualified employees has never been more challenging—but what if the solution has been overlooked all along? In this episode of The Hiring Confessional, recruiting expert Michael Hayes sits down with Jeff Swanson, CEO of One Step Beyond, to discuss why employers should rethink where they search for talent. Jeff shares how adults with intellectual disabilities are becoming dependable, hardworking employees across industries, why retention starts with hiring people who genuinely care, and what businesses often get wrong about recruiting today. The conversation also explores nonprofit leadership, internships, AI in recruiting, hiring trends, candidate experience, workplace culture, and why employers need to move faster if they want to attract top talent. Whether you're a recruiter, HR professional, business owner, hiring manager, nonprofit leader, or job seeker, this episode offers practical insights that can change the way you think about hiring. In this episode: 👥 Why employers are overlooking an incredible talent pool ♿ Hiring people with intellectual disabilities 🔥 Recruiting for passion instead of perfect resumes 🔄 Why retention is more important than constant hiring ❌ The biggest mistakes companies make on Indeed 🎓 How internships create stronger employees 🤖 AI, hiring, and where technology falls short 🤝 Creating an inclusive workplace 🏆 How nonprofits compete for talent 🌟 What great employers do differently 🔗 Connect with our guest: 🎙 Guest: Jeff Swanson - CEO, One Step Beyond 🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jeff-swanson-284a016 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-step-beyond-inc/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onestepbeyondinc/ 🌐 Website: One Step Beyond, Inc. ( https://osbi.org/ ) 🔗 Connect with The Hiring Confessional: 🌐 Website: https://lnk.bio/thehiringconfessional 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on recruiting, hiring, leadership, and workplace success. #Hiring #Recruiting #HumanResources #Leadership #Business #TalentAcquisition #HiringTips #Recruitment #Careers #Management

  3. Jul 13

    Everyone Says AI Will Replace Jobs. Mary Foote Says the Data Tells a Different Story

    Everyone is talking about AI replacing jobs—but what does the data actually show? In this episode of The Hiring Confessional, Michael Hayes sits down with Mary Foote, Director of Arizona's Office of Economic Opportunity, to discuss what the workforce data really says about artificial intelligence, the fastest-growing careers, skilled trades, apprenticeships, healthcare, remote work, and the skills employers are looking for today. Mary explains why AI isn't replacing people the way many believe, why communication and soft skills continue to matter, and why industries like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and the skilled trades offer long-term career opportunities. Whether you're a student, job seeker, hiring manager, employer, or business leader, this conversation is packed with practical insights backed by real workforce data—not headlines. 🎯 In This Episode ✔ Is AI really replacing jobs? ✔ What workforce data actually shows ✔ Why soft skills matter more than ever ✔ The future of skilled trades ✔ Why healthcare continues to grow ✔ Registered apprenticeships explained ✔ Remote work and career development ✔ How students and young professionals should prepare ✔ Why talking to real people still matters more than relying only on AI ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:48 Meet Mary Foote 08:58 Is AI Really Replacing Jobs? 12:02 Careers with the Biggest Growth 13:46 "AI Replaces Tasks. It Doesn't Replace People." 15:35 Why Soft Skills Matter 17:51 Why Communication Wins 20:00 Remote Work & Career Development 27:23 The Truth About Apprenticeships 31:34 Skilled Trades & Hiring Challenges 36:35 Public Service & Optimism 44:43 Final Advice for Job Seekers 🔗 Connect with The Hiring Confessional 🌐 All Links (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Socials) The Hiring Confessional Link Hub 👤 Connect with Mary Foote 💼 LinkedIn Mary Foote on LinkedIn 🎙️ About The Hiring Confessional Hiring Confessional isn't your typical career advice podcast. Hosted by Michael Hayes, each episode features honest conversations with business leaders, recruiters, executives, and industry experts about hiring, leadership, career growth, workplace trends, and the future of work.  👍 Enjoyed this episode? ✅ Like this video ✅ Subscribe for more hiring and career insights ✅ Share this episode with someone planning their next career move ✅ Leave a comment: What surprised you most about AI and the future of work? #AI #FutureOfWork #CareerAdvice #Hiring #JobSearch #Leadership #SkilledTrades #Apprenticeships #Healthcare #Employment #ArtificialIntelligence #TheHiringConfessional

  4. Jun 30

    The Job Search Advice Every College Student Needs to Hear (From Real Hiring Experts)

    Most job seekers think sending more applications is the answer. Hiring experts say otherwise. In this episode of The Hiring Confessional, Michael Hayes sits down with Grand Canyon University students Kaitlyn Anderson and McKenna Martin to discuss what today's graduates are experiencing in the job market—and what employers actually want. From networking and internships to LinkedIn, AI, communication skills, and multiple interview rounds, this conversation uncovers the career advice most colleges don't teach. Whether you're a college student, recent graduate, young professional, or hiring manager, you'll learn practical strategies to stand out in today's competitive job market. In this episode:  Why networking beats online job applications  The biggest mistakes new graduates make  How to build a resume with little experience  Why communication skills matter more than ever  LinkedIn tips that can help you get noticed  The truth about internships and entry-level jobs  Should you take an unpaid internship?  How AI is changing hiring and education  Why employers care about problem solvers  What recruiters actually look for during interviews If you're trying to land your first job, switch careers, or hire better talent, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

  5. Jun 16

    From British Army to 150 Employees: The Leadership Rules That Built Air2O

    From British Army to 150 Employees: The Leadership Rules That Built Air2O What does it take to build a high-performance manufacturing company? In this episode of The Hiring Confessional, Michael Hayes sits down with Tom Sullivan, Co-Founder and COO of Air2O, to discuss leadership, hiring, manufacturing growth, company culture, and the lessons he brought from the British Army into business. Tom shares how Air2O grew from a small engineering startup into a global manufacturing company with 150+ employees, plans for a 6x facility expansion, and hundreds of new jobs on the horizon. Topics include: ✅ Hiring for attitude over experience ✅ Why soft skills matter more than resumes ✅ Military leadership principles in business ✅ Building accountability and ownership at every level ✅ Scaling a manufacturing company through rapid growth ✅ Data centers, innovation, and mission-critical cooling technology ✅ Creating a culture where people take pride in their work ✅ The future of manufacturing and workforce development Whether you're a business owner, hiring manager, entrepreneur, recruiter, or someone looking to grow your career, this conversation is packed with practical leadership insights. Guest: Tom Sullivan, COO & Co-Founder, Air2O Host: Michael Hayes, The Hiring Confessional #Leadership #Hiring #Manufacturing #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #CompanyCulture #Recruiting #LeadershipDevelopment #Air2O #HiringConfessional #DataCenters #ManufacturingJobs

  6. Jun 1

    Dave Pratt: Why Radio Died, Podcasts Won, and Networking Beats Resumes

    🎙️ In this episode of The Hiring Confessional, Michael Hayes sits down with media entrepreneur, broadcaster, and podcast pioneer Dave Pratt. Dave shares why he left traditional radio before its decline, how he built Star Worldwide Networks, and what employers should really look for when hiring talent. The conversation covers networking, company culture, podcasting, AI, personal branding, leadership, and why relationships still matter more than resumes. Key Topics: • Why radio declined and podcasting exploded • Hiring beyond the resume • Building a strong company culture • Networking strategies that create opportunities • The future of AI, marketing, and media • Why showing up still matters • Lessons from decades in business and broadcasting Whether you're a business owner, recruiter, job seeker, marketer, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. 🎧 Subscribe for more hiring, recruiting, leadership, and career insights from The Hiring Confessional. #DavePratt #MichaelHayes #HiringConfessional #Podcasting #Leadership #Networking #Hiring #Recruiting #CareerAdvice #BusinessGrowth

  7. May 15

    The Art of Detecting Deception

    In this episode of The Hiring Confessional, Expert Recruiter Michael Hayes sits down with Alan Saquella — Professor, Director of Investigations, Consultant, and deception detection expert with more than 30 years of experience in investigations, workplace security, fraud prevention, and interviewing techniques. Together, they discuss: • How investigators detect deception • Body language and behavioral cues • Workplace fraud and embezzlement • AI scams, deepfakes, and cybersecurity threats • Hiring mistakes companies still make • Why LinkedIn and networking matter for job seekers • The future of AI in hiring and investigations Alan also shares real-world insights from law enforcement, corporate investigations, and teaching future security professionals. Key takeaway from the episode: “Truthful people respond differently than non-truthful people.” Whether you’re a job seeker, hiring manager, business owner, or simply interested in human behavior and deception detection, this episode delivers practical advice you can apply immediately.

  8. Apr 29

    Why You’re NOT Getting Hired (From a Recruiter Who Sees Everything)

    Why You’re NOT Getting Hired (From a Recruiter Who Sees Everything) If you're applying for jobs and not getting callbacks, you're probably making these mistakes. In this episode of The Hiring Confessional, recruiting expert Michael Hayes sits down with recruiter Michael Bassett to break down what actually happens behind the scenes in hiring—from resumes and interviews to AI, and why candidates get rejected without explanation. With years of experience helping companies hire top talent, Michael Hayes shares real-world insights most candidates never hear. You’ll learn: Why AI won’t replace human hiring (yet)The biggest resume mistakes recruiters see every dayWhat makes candidates instantly stand out—or get rejectedWhy slow hiring processes lose top talentThe truth about interviews, references, and job applications If you're serious about getting hired—or hiring better—this episode gives you practical, no-fluff insight from people who actually make hiring decisions. Resources / Links: Follow The Hiring Confessional  ⁨@TheHiringConfessionalX⁩   Connect with The Hiring Confessional LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehiringconfessional/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHiringConfessional Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehiringconfessional/ Subscribe for expert hiring insights

  9. Apr 20

    This Job Exists… and Most People Couldn’t Handle It

    What if your job was to walk into situations most people can’t even imagine? In this episode of Hiring Confessional, Michael Hayes, recruiting expert and founder of Momentum Hiring Solutions, sat down with Leanne Lesaffre, owner of T.A.C.T. (Trauma and Casualty Team), to talk about a side of work—and life—that rarely gets discussed. From handling extreme environments to working with people on their worst days, this conversation goes far beyond what you’d expect. But this isn’t just about the job. We also dive into: Why so many people leave jobs after just monthsThe truth about “growth” (and why most can’t define it)What hiring managers actually look for todayWhy being on time still matters more than everSome jobs test your skills. Others test who you are. 🎧 If you’ve ever questioned your career path, work ethic, or what it really takes to grow—this episode will challenge you. Watch until the end if you want a perspective most people never hear. 👉 Follow for more real conversations about hiring, work, and career growth 💬 What does “growth” actually mean to you?

  10. Mar 30

    What Hiring Gets Wrong — with Russ Law of Verensics

    Why do companies still make bad hires — even after multiple interviews, background checks, and long hiring processes? In this episode of The Hiring Confessional, Michael Hayes sits down with Russ Law, co-founder and CEO of Verensics, to unpack what most employers, recruiters, and hiring managers still get wrong when it comes to hiring, interviewing, and employee risk. Russ explains why resumes, references, and standard screening tools often miss the biggest red flags — and how behavioral interviewing, better hiring questions, and AI-assisted tools can help companies make smarter decisions before problems show up on the job. In this episode, they discuss: Why bad hires often start with weak interview processesWhat background checks and drug tests fail to revealHow AI in hiring can help — without replacing human judgmentWhy too many interviews cost companies strong candidatesThe role of integrity, trust, and culture in hiringHow companies can reduce turnover, misconduct, and hiring mistakesWhy leadership often doesn’t realize how broken the hiring process is They also explore how better screening can uncover behavioral red flags earlier, improve interview conversations, and help employers protect company culture before bigger issues begin. If you’re a business owner, recruiter, staffing leader, HR professional, or hiring manager, this episode offers practical insight into how to avoid costly hiring mistakes and build a stronger team.

  11. Feb 26

    AI, Executive Search, and the Truth About Hiring: A Recruiter’s Perspective with Seann Richardson

    In this candid and practical episode, Michael Hayes sits down with Seann Richardson of Ascentria Search Partners, a national executive search firm specializing in accounting, finance, and C-suite placements. Together, they unpack what’s really happening in today’s hiring market — from AI-written resumes to the subtle interview mistakes that quietly cost candidates the job. 🤖 AI & Hiring They explore how AI is reshaping resumes, job descriptions, and hiring decisions — and why overusing it can actually hurt your job search. Seann shares her 10-80-10 rule for using AI responsibly and explains why authenticity still matters more than perfectly polished content. 🎙️ Behind the Scenes of Hiring The conversation dives into the hidden frustrations on both sides of the process: ⏳ How too many interview rounds cause companies to lose top talent ❌ Why recruiters can’t simply “snap their fingers” and land someone a job 🎯 The difference between active and passive candidates 🐢 Why slow internal processes derail great hires 🏢 What hiring managers really think when candidates fail to research the company 🚩 Costly Candidate Mistakes They also discuss the missteps candidates don’t realize they’re making: 💬 Vague interview answers like “I was underappreciated” 📱 Social media mistakes that quietly eliminate applicants 🔁 Job hopping patterns that raise red flags 👔 Executive-Level Insights Seann breaks down what executive hiring actually looks like behind the scenes and explains why networking continues to outperform online applications. 📊 Skills That Win Today In today’s market, communication skills often outweigh technical skills — and skilled trades may become even more valuable in an AI-driven economy. They also touch on: 🔄 When career pivots make sense — and when they don’t 🌱 How younger candidates can stand out 🌐 Why applying online is rarely the most effective strategy 🤝 The real reason networking works This is an honest, unfiltered look at hiring from both the employer and candidate perspective — packed with practical advice for navigating today’s evolving job market. 💬 Have a hiring confession or interview horror story? Drop it in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe for monthly conversations about hiring, workplace trends, and real-world career advice.

  12. Feb 3

    Episode 1 - Welcome to the first episode of Hiring Confessional

    Today I’m sitting down with Linda Williams — a longtime Phoenix news anchor who spent decades telling the stories behind Arizona’s businesses and workforce. Now we’re flipping the mic to talk about what really goes on behind the scenes when it comes to hiring, leadership, and the people side of business.

  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Hiring Confessional isn’t your typical career advice podcast. This is where we dig into the good, bad, and ugly of the hiring world—bad interviews, candidate horror stories, company blunders, stealth replacements, resume spam, and everything in between. Hosted by Michael Hayes of Momentum Hiring Solutions, each episode pulls back the curtain on the hiring process with raw commentary, industry guests, and stories that employers and employees are usually too polite to share.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Hayes
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Hiring Confessional
  • Show Website
    The Hiring Confessional