Exit To Excel Podcast

LeTonya Shaw

Layoffs are more than just a career setback—they’re a deeply personal experience that shakes your confidence, security, and sense of self-worth. After 20+ years in HR, laying off thousands of employees, and personally experiencing four layoffs (most recently in November), I know this journey from both sides of the table. This podcast is for anyone navigating the emotional and practical challenges of job loss. Whether you're reeling from the initial shock, figuring out your next steps, or searching for motivation to rebuild, we’ll walk this path together. Each episode will blend pers

Episodes

  1. JUL 18

    LinkedIn Secrets From a Career Coach: Stop Being Invisible to Recruiters | Exit To Excel Ep 7

    ⏱ You’ve got 8 seconds. That’s how long a recruiter scans your LinkedIn profile before deciding to connect—or keep scrolling.In this powerhouse episode of Exit to Excel, we’re blowing up the myth that LinkedIn is just a digital resume. Instead, we show you how to turn your profile into a 24/7 Player Profile—a magnetic, keyword-optimized, results-driven tool that attracts dream roles while you sleep.🔥 Host LT shares the Championship LinkedIn Framework, the same strategy used to land C-suite offers and help clients go from invisible to in-demand. You’ll learn:-Why your current profile is costing you interviews-How to write headlines that stop recruiters mid-scroll-The 7 must-have components of a Player Profile-Strategic About sections that actually get read-What the algorithm looks for—and how to show up in searches-Whether LinkedIn Premium is worth it (no fluff, just facts)-Outreach and content tips to boost visibility and build relationshipsThis episode is a game-changer if you're unemployed, passively exploring, or ready to position yourself for that next-level leap.🔗 Stop being invisible. Get discovered. Build your LinkedIn Player Profile today.#EXITTOEXCEL #LETONYASHAW #LinkedInTips #JobSearchStrategy #CareerGrowth #ExitToExcel #PlayerProfile #linkedinprofile #jobsearchtips #careerbranding #getdiscovered #linkedinstrategies (00:00:00) - Intro (00:08:20) - #ASKLT (00:13:14) - The Invisible Player Problem (00:21:35) - The Player Profile Framework (00:37:05) - LinkedIn SEO & Premium Strategies (00:44:02) - Strategic Networking & Outreach Scripts (00:48:10) - Content Strategy & Ongoing Optimization (00:54:40) - Action Items SUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@ExitToExcel SOCIAL MEDIA: -FOLLOW Exit To Excel on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exittoexcel -FOLLOW Exit To Excel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exittoexcel/ AUDIO -LEAVE a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-to-excel-podcast/id1818659967-STREAM on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6xJt7D1UQGgwwgM8XhoNmCShow Email: Exittoexcel@gmail.com

    1h 1m
  2. JUL 11

    Top Tips & Secrets To LEVEL UP Your Resume From An HR Expert | Exit To Excel Episode 6

    Most resumes are a total snooze-fest — filled with job duties, outdated formats, and zero proof of value. In this episode, we’re fixing that.LT breaks down the Winning Resume Strategy that turns your generic resume into a strategic weapon designed to land interviews and win offers. You’ll learn how top performers build their resumes to get past ATS, impress hiring managers, and prove their value in under 30 seconds.✅ What you’ll learn in this episode:-The 4-part Winning Resume Framework-How to turn your Brag Book into Trophy Case resume bullets-What ATS optimization really means in 2025-How to write resume bullets that get callbacks-Strategies for addressing career gaps, transitions, and crowded markets-How to build 2-3 targeted versions of your resume-Submission strategies that actually workIf you're tired of being ghosted after applying, this episode is for you. Stop hoping your resume will “speak for itself” — and learn how to make it shout your value.(00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:55) - On Today’s Episode(00:03:00) - About Me (00:07:20) - #ASKLT(00:10:20) - The Amateur vs. Winning Resume Problem(00:19:30) - The Winning Resume Framework(00:38:50) - ATS Optimization & Keyword Strategy(01:03:30) - Modern Resume Trends & Optimization (01:07:20) - Action Items(01:11:00) - On Next Week’s Episode#EXITTOEXCEL #LETONYASHAW #ResumeTips #JobSearchStrategy #CareerAdvice #ATSOptimization #PersonalBranding #CareerDevelopment #WinningResume #GetTheInterview #JobSearch #ExitToExcelep6SUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@ExitToExcel SOCIAL MEDIA: -FOLLOW Exit To Excel on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exittoexcel -FOLLOW Exit To Excel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exittoexcel/ AUDIO -LEAVE a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-to-excel-podcast/id1818659967-STREAM on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6xJt7D1UQGgwwgM8XhoNmCShow Email: Exittoexcel@gmail.com

    1h 14m
  3. JUN 27

    Stop Spraying, Start Focusing: The Job Strategy That Actually Works | Exit To Excel Ep. 4

    Are you tired of applying to hundreds of jobs and hearing nothing back? In Episode 4 of Exit to Excel, we're calling out the biggest mistake job seekers make: spray-and-pray applications. It doesn’t work—and today, we’re replacing that outdated approach with a winning job search strategy that actually gets results.Host LeTonta (a former HR exec and layoff survivor) breaks down why blindly applying to everything is hurting your chances—and how to fix it. You’ll learn how to stop being a generic applicant and start positioning yourself as the obvious choice.We’ll walk you through the Winning Game Target Strategy, a proven framework to narrow your focus and increase your success:✅ Define your Ideal Arena (location, company size, industry, and culture)✅ Analyze your competition and uncover your unique value✅ Build and prioritize a targeted list of 25-50 companies✅ Use AI prompts to research companies faster and smarterPlus, hear real-life questions from job seekers and success stories that show the power of playing to win—not playing the numbers game. (00:00:00) - Intro (00:04:00) - #ASKLT  (00:06:30) - The Spray & Pray Epidemic (00:10:50) - The Winning Game Target Strategy (00:16:25) - Building Your Ideal Arena (00:24:15) - Competition Analysis & Target List Building (00:35:20) - Action Items   (00:38:40) - On Next Week's Episode  #EXITTOEXCEL #LETONYASHAW #JobSearchStrategy #CareerChange #TargetList #GetTheInterview #PlayToWin #careercoach #Laidoff #jobseekers #HR #ASKLT #JobNews #JobLoss #JobSearchSUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@ExitToExcel SOCIAL MEDIA: -FOLLOW Exit To Excel on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exittoexcel -FOLLOW Exit To Excel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exittoexcel/ AUDIO -LEAVE a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-to-excel-podcast/id1818659967-STREAM on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6xJt7D1UQGgwwgM8XhoNmCShow Email: Exittoexcel@gmail.com

    42 min
  4. JUN 20

    Defining Your Championship Brand: Who Are You In The Arena | Exit To Excel Podcast Ep. 3

    If your resume feels flat, if interviews leave you tongue-tied, or if you're applying to dozens of jobs with no traction, this episode will change the game. LT introduces the concept of your Championship Identity — a powerful way to articulate your unique value by thinking like a pro athlete preparing for a championship. You’ll learn the exact difference between “Generic Gary” and “Championship Charlie,” how to craft a 30-second positioning statement that turns heads, and why most people fail not because they aren’t qualified — but because they can’t clearly express why they matter. LT walks you through a proven process: auditing the real problems you’ve solved, identifying your hero moments, and measuring your impact. You’ll also get powerful AI prompts to help uncover patterns in your experience and build a personal brand that works across resumes, LinkedIn, and interviews. This episode isn’t about getting a job — it’s about winning the right job. If you're ready to stop being just another applicant and start showing up like the obvious choice, you're in the right place. (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:55) - ASKLT (00:06:00) - On Today's Episode (00:10:52) - Generic Player Problem (00:12:15) - The Championship Identity Formula (00:16:40) - The Positioning Statement That Wins (00:21:05) - AI As Your Personal Brand Coach (00:25:50) - Championship Consistency (00:26:50) - Putting In The Work (00:28:27) - On Next Week's Episode #EXITTOEXCEL #LETONYASHAW #JobSearchTips #careerdevelopment #PersonalBRanding #Laidoff #ChampionshipMindset #careercoach #linkedintips #interviewprep SUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@ExitToExcel SOCIAL MEDIA: -FOLLOW Exit To Excel on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exittoexcel -FOLLOW Exit To Excel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exittoexcel/ AUDIO -LEAVE a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-to-excel-podcast/id1818659967--STREAM on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6xJt7D1UQGgwwgM8XhoNmC Show Email: Exittoexcel@gmail.com

    30 min
  5. JUN 13

    Reading The Writing On The Wall: Signs, Signals, And The Layoff Conversation | Exit To Excel Ep. 2

    Ever wonder how layoffs really happen behind closed doors? In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what I call “The Before”—the critical weeks and months of planning that unfold long before anyone hears those dreaded words in a conference room. I’ll walk you through the real layoff timeline, from executive decisions made in boardrooms to legal planning and manager training. You’ll hear what signs actually matter, how to tell the difference between mass layoffs and individual terminations, and what’s really going through your manager’s mind during that difficult conversation. I’m also sharing two personal stories—one where I was completely blindsided, and one where I saw the writing on the wall.We’ll also explore how to use the F48 Framework as a proactive tool when you start seeing the signs—not just as a recovery plan after the fact. Plus, I’ll reveal actual language from corporate layoff scripts and explain what your manager legally can’t tell you. Because when it comes to layoffs, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s protection.(00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:10) - #ASKLT Promo (00:04:02) - On Today's Episode (00:05:55) - Behind the Curtain - How Layoffs Are Really Planned (00:16:30) - Mass Layoffs vs. Individual Terminations(00:23:45) - Warning Signs That Actually Matter(00:40:10) - Inside the Layoff Conversation(00:54:00) - #ASKLT(00:57:20) - On Next Week's Episode #EXITTOEXCEL #LETONYASHAW #LaidOff #Layoffsexplained #InsideHR #humanresources #LayoffwarningSigns #CareerProtection #HRinsider #Jobsecurity #CareerResilience #JobLoss #JobNEws #Jobs SUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@ExitToExcel SOCIAL MEDIA: -FOLLOW Exit To Excel on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exittoexcel -FOLLOW Exit To Excel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exittoexcel/ AUDIO -LEAVE a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exit-to-excel-podcast/id1818659967-STREAM on Spotify:Show Email: Exittoexcel@gmail.com

    1h 2m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Layoffs are more than just a career setback—they’re a deeply personal experience that shakes your confidence, security, and sense of self-worth. After 20+ years in HR, laying off thousands of employees, and personally experiencing four layoffs (most recently in November), I know this journey from both sides of the table. This podcast is for anyone navigating the emotional and practical challenges of job loss. Whether you're reeling from the initial shock, figuring out your next steps, or searching for motivation to rebuild, we’ll walk this path together. Each episode will blend pers