The Hiring Confessional

Michael Hayes
  • 3.0 (2)
  • Careers

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. 4d ago

    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

    1h 5m

  2. 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.

    51 min

  3. 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

    54 min

  4. 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?

    49 min

  5. 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.

    52 min

  6. 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.

    46 min

  7. 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.

    53 min
  • 7 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
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Hiring Confessional
  • Show Website
    The Hiring Confessional