2Talented Podcast

gshalvoy
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Careers
  • Updated Weekly

The 2Talented Podcast Smart. Real. Ridiculously Helpful. The 2Talented Podcast is your new go-to resource for everything job search, hiring, and recruiting—served with a bit of humor and a whole lot of advice. Our goal is that you leave each episode with practical takeaways to level up your hiring, your job search, and your understanding of what it takes to thrive in today’s evolving workplace. Hosted by Graham and Corinne Shalvoy—recruiting veterans, industry insiders, endurance athletes and co-founders of Strides Staffing.

  1. 4d ago

    The Reference Check: What Candidates Need to Know

    References may feel like a formality, but they can still have a major impact on a hiring decision. In this episode, Graham and Corinne break down who candidates should choose as references, how to prepare them and how to make the process as easy as possible. They also discuss backdoor references, when hiring managers contact people outside of the candidate’s official list, sometimes without the candidate ever knowing. Finally, they share advice for anyone asked to serve as a reference, including when to say yes, what information to request and how to provide honest, specific feedback that is actually helpful.

  2. Jun 25

    The AI Reality Check: Is Tech Hiring Finally Coming Back?

    After nearly three years of layoffs, hiring freezes, and uncertainty, Graham and Corinne discuss why they're beginning to see signs of life in the technology job market. They break down the latest jobs report, explain why the headline numbers don't tell the whole story, and share what they're seeing firsthand from working with hiring managers every day. The conversation also explores the next phase of AI in the workplace. Companies are discovering that while AI is an incredible productivity tool, it isn't replacing people as quickly as many predicted. Instead, organizations are shifting their focus toward using AI to make employees more effective—and they're hiring leaders who can help make that happen. Whether you're actively job searching, thinking about your next career move, or trying to understand where AI fits into the future of work, this episode offers practical insights from recruiters who are on the front lines of today's hiring market. In this episode:• What the latest jobs report really tells us• Why tech hiring may finally be gaining momentum• The AI reality check many companies are facing• Why businesses are hiring AI-savvy leaders instead of replacing entire teams• How job seekers can stay competitive in an AI-driven workplace

  3. Jun 8

    Don't Say No to That Contract Role Yet

    Many job seekers automatically dismiss contract opportunities in favor of permanent positions, but is that always the right decision? In this episode of the 2Talented Podcast, Graham and Corinne break down when a contract role can actually be a smart career move and why some of the best opportunities in today's market come in contract or contract-to-hire form. We discuss: • When taking a contract role can accelerate your career• Using contract work to gain experience with new technologies and skill sets• How to evaluate whether the compensation is worth it• Why working for an exciting company can sometimes outweigh employment type• The pros and cons of contract-to-hire opportunities• How to calculate an equivalent hourly rate from an annual salary• The hidden value of benefits, PTO, bonuses and retirement contributions• What questions you should ask before accepting a contract position• The growing trend of fractional and part-time consulting work We also discuss current hiring trends we're seeing through Strides Staffing, share running and race updates, and provide practical advice for candidates navigating a challenging job market. Whether you're actively interviewing, considering a contract opportunity, or simply want to understand all of your career options, this episode will help you evaluate contract work with a more strategic mindset.

  4. May 19

    Giving Notice: Every Reaction You Should Expect

    This week on the 2Talented Podcast, Graham and Corinne talk about one of the most stressful and awkward parts of your career: giving notice. Most people spend weeks preparing for interviews and negotiating offers, but almost no time thinking through how to professionally leave a company. In this episode, we discuss best practices for giving notice including whether you should do it in person or over video, how much notice to give, what language to use and how to avoid burning bridges on the way out. We also walk through the many different reactions employers can have once you resign: Counter offersAngry bossesLeadership wanting emergency meetingsFeeling guilt or betrayalImmediate terminationOr sometimes… almost no reaction at allThe goal of this episode is to help prepare you mentally and professionally so you can handle the conversation with confidence and avoid common mistakes that can damage your reputation long term. We also kick things off with running updates, upcoming races and a discussion around recent wins and challenges with Strides Staffing in today’s market. Whether you are actively interviewing, considering a career move or just want to be prepared for the future, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

  5. May 1

    Don’t Accept Yet: What to Do When You Get the Offer

    You got the offer. Now what? Most candidates think the hard part is over—but the offer stage is where some of the biggest career mistakes actually happen. In this episode of 2Talented, Graham and Corinne break down how to evaluate, negotiate, and make the right decision when an offer hits your inbox. Because this isn’t just about saying yes or no. It’s about: How this role stacks up against your current jobWhether you should wait on other opportunities or move forwardHow to negotiate without putting the offer at riskAnd why your base salary matters more than you think for your long-term earning potentialWe also cover: Verbal vs. written offers (and why that matters)How to negotiate when a recruiter is involved vs. going directly to a hiring managerWhat to do if your current company gives you a counterofferThe most common mistakes candidates make at this stageAnd as always, we kick things off with a quick update on recent wins at Strides Staffing and how training is going for our upcoming races. If you’re in the interview process—or think you will be soon—this is the episode that can directly impact your career and your compensation. Because getting the offer isn’t the finish line. It’s where the real decisions start. 2Talented is a podcast for job seeking in the AI age—breaking down what’s actually happening in the hiring market and how to stay competitive.

  6. Apr 6

    The Candidate Advantage: Bringing AI Into the Business

    Everyone is talking about AI. Very few people actually know how to use it. And that’s creating a massive opportunity. In this episode of 2Talented, Graham and Corinne break down the new skill that companies are quietly starting to value—not building AI, but actually applying it inside the business. Because here’s what we’re seeing in real time: Companies are being told they need AI.Leadership is being asked to implement it.But most teams don’t know where to start. So who fills that gap? The candidate who can walk into an organization and say:“Here’s how we can actually use this.” We cover: Why AI knowledge alone isn’t enough anymoreHow tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot are being used across marketing, software development, and financeA real story from a CTO who is being pulled into teaching AI across his entire companyWhy companies will start hiring people specifically to bridge this gapHow candidates can use this to stand out immediately in interviewsAnd most importantly—we break down exactly how you can start using AI this week and turn it into a real advantage in your job search. Because the new skill isn’t AI. It’s knowing how to use it to make a business better. 2Talented is a podcast for job seeking in the AI age—where we break down what’s actually happening in the hiring market and how to stay competitive.

  7. Mar 19

    The February Jobs Report and the AI Layoff Narrative

    In this episode of the 2Talented Podcast, we break down what’s really going on in today’s job market—starting with the February jobs report and the surprising revisions that suggest things may not be as strong as the headlines indicate. While unemployment remains relatively low, hiring has slowed significantly. We dig into why job seekers are feeling the disconnect and what the data actually tells us about where the market is heading. We also tackle a growing trend: companies announcing layoffs and attributing them to AI. With firms like Block and others suggesting that artificial intelligence is replacing jobs, we ask the question—is that really true, or is there more going on beneath the surface? We explore: What the February jobs report really tells us Why revisions matter more than headlines The concept of a “low hire, low fire” job market Whether AI is actually replacing jobs—or being used as a narrative How this trend could be slowing hiring across the market If you’re a job seeker, hiring manager, or just trying to make sense of the current market, this episode will give you a clearer, more honest perspective on what’s happening right now. Strides Staffing Update:We also share what we’re seeing on the ground in Colorado—from hiring trends to where companies are still investing in talent.

  8. Feb 26

    AI Is a Tool. Relationships Win. The Nick Larche Interview.

    What happens when a lawyer pivots into Talent Acquisition and ends up leading it for a fast-growing ERP and CRM company serving government contractors and construction firms? In this episode of the 2Talented Podcast, we sit down with Nick Larche, VP of Talent at Unanet, to talk about career reinvention, scaling talent inside a specialized software company, and how AI is reshaping recruiting in real time. Nick shares his unconventional path from law into recruiting, how Unanet has grown, and why talent acquisition has become a strategic function at the executive level. We dive into the evolving role of AI in hiring — what’s working, what’s overhyped, and where the human element still wins every time. We also cover: How AI tools are helping recruiters manage massive applicant flow Why maintaining relationships with candidates (even the “no’s”) matters more than ever How candidates are already experiencing AI in interviews Smart ways recruiters and job seekers can leverage AI to improve outcomes The importance of continuous learning (including a few book recommendations) If you’re a hiring manager, recruiter, government contractor, construction leader, or job seeker trying to understand where hiring is headed in the AI age — this one’s for you. At 2Talented, we believe great hiring isn’t about transactions. It’s about relationships, adaptability, and staying sharp in a changing market. Let’s get into it.

See All (31)

About

The 2Talented Podcast Smart. Real. Ridiculously Helpful. The 2Talented Podcast is your new go-to resource for everything job search, hiring, and recruiting—served with a bit of humor and a whole lot of advice. Our goal is that you leave each episode with practical takeaways to level up your hiring, your job search, and your understanding of what it takes to thrive in today’s evolving workplace. Hosted by Graham and Corinne Shalvoy—recruiting veterans, industry insiders, endurance athletes and co-founders of Strides Staffing.

Information

  • Creator
    gshalvoy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © gshalvoy
  • Show Website
    2Talented Podcast

You Might Also Like