Answer the Call | Christian Career Coaching

Kelsey Kemp

The premier podcast helping Christian professionals discern their calling and land a job that's aligned with it. Tune in for weekly episodes on faith, mindset, clarifying your calling, top job search strategies, and even a few lessons on entrepreneurship for those of you who feel called to start a business. Kelsey Kemp is an ex-tech consultant, multi-time founder, TEDx speaker, and career coach at TheCalledCareer.com who has helped hundreds of professionals make meaningful career pivots, from New York to New Zealand, lawyers to high school teachers, 21-65 years old.

  1. 2D AGO

    258: This ONE Simple Shift Can Transform Your Interviews

    Have you ever made it to the next round of interviews… and still not get the offer? In this episode, we break down the #1 non-obvious reason hiring managers reject candidates after the second round. Spoiler: it’s not your experience, but how you communicate it. We discuss how to: Turn interviews into conversations instead of interrogations Ask strategic questions that reveal what the hiring manager actually wants Stop “playing blind” and tailor your answers in real time Handle gaps in experience with confidence and honesty Ask for next steps so you’re not left in limbo If you’ve been getting to final rounds but not landing the offer, this episode will show you exactly what to fix. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 01:37 – The ONE mistake candidates make 03:01 – The 2 questions every hiring manager is asking 04:41 – Stop being transactional in interviews 06:18 – Why job descriptions aren’t enough 07:51 – How to start the interview the right way 11:25 – The most powerful question to ask: “What separates good from great?” 14:06 – Don’t play blind for the rest of the interview 20:03 – Real-life example from a hiring manager (Kevin’s story) 23:55 – What if you don’t have all the experience? 27:58 – Always ask about next steps

    32 min
  2. FEB 17

    257: How to ACE Your Phone Screen Interview & Move Forward

    You made it to the first interview. You felt like it went well. And then… you got the rejection email. In this episode, we break down exactly what recruiters are looking for during the first interview (especially the recruiter phone screen), and why candidates get rejected after making it to the top 3% of applicants. You’ll learn: Why only ~3% of applicants make it to the interview stage 2 reasons you might get rejected that have nothing to do with you 5 quick fixes you can implement immediately 5 deeper improvements that require practice How to fix professionalism red flags The biggest energy mistake candidates make How to answer salary questions confidently Why clarity creates confidence (and job offers) How to close your interview strong This episode is especially helpful if: You keep getting interviews but no offers You feel like interviews “go well” but you don’t move forward You’re a career pivoter trying to position your experience You want Christian career coaching that’s both practical and biblical Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 01:00 – The Purpose of a Recruiter Phone Screen 02:45 – Why Only 3% Get the Interview 07:00 – 2 Reasons You Get Rejected 14:30 – Professionalism Red Flags 20:00 – Energy & Contribution vs Getting Mindset 25:40 – 90-Second Interview Prep Plan 28:00 – Salary Expectations: What to Say (and Not Say) 32:00 – Clarity = Confidence (What Recruiters Want to Hear) 39:20 – How to Close Strong and Move Forward

    44 min
  3. FEB 10

    256: Why Your Resume Keeps Getting Rejected by Recruiters

    If you’re job hunting and keep getting rejected before you even land an interview, this episode is for you. This is Part 1 of our “Why You’re Getting Rejected” series, where we break down exactly why recruiters reject candidates at the application stage, including both the obvious mistakes and the lesser-known red flags most people miss. In this episode, we cover: Why generic resumes get rejected immediately How recruiters actually scan applications Resume, keyword, and formatting mistakes that disqualify candidates LinkedIn issues recruiters notice but rarely explain Why being “qualified” still isn’t enough We hope this episode brings clarity, hope, and encouragement as you make practical changes that actually move the needle in your job search. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 03:06 – You can land a job! 05:34 – Red flag # 1 09:15 – Red flag # 2  15:16 – Red flag # 3 22:40 – Red flag # 4 26:56 – Lesser known rejection reasons 34:29 – Career hopping, overqualification, and missing narratives 42:51 – Cover letters, LinkedIn gaps, and what to fix next

    46 min
  4. FEB 3

    255: The Power of Persistence in a Long Job Search | Christina’s Story

    What does it look like to trust God in your career when the path feels slow, discouraging, and unclear at all? In this client success story, Audrey sits down with Christina to share her powerful career journey marked by persistence, discernment, and deep trust in God’s provision. As a single foster mom, Christina needed a role that supported both her calling at home and her professional gifts – and that journey came with plenty of pivots, rejection, and waiting. Audrey and Christina discuss: How to stay persistent in a long and emotional job search When to pivot your career strategy without losing sight of your calling Why networking and referrals matter more than online applications How faith, intuition, and effort work together in career decisions What it really means to trust God as your provider If you’re navigating career confusion, waiting on God for your next step, or searching for work that aligns with your faith and life season, this is for you. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 01:17 – Why career change was necessary 09:27 – Hitting roadblocks and learning when to pivot 12:18 – Redefining success and staying persistent 15:04 – Mental health, rejection, and taking breaks 24:22 – Lessons from the story of Ruth 36:56 – How networking and referrals worked 41:34 – Why proactive outreach made the difference 46:00 – Community impact and unexpected blessings 48:28 – Encouragement for discouraged job seekers

    55 min
  5. JAN 27

    254: How He Pivoted Careers Into Tech Sales Without Starting Over | Tyler’s Story

    Isn’t entrepreneurship the dream? For years, our client Tyler has lived it – running his own video production business and enjoying the freedom many people chase. But over time, he realized that entrepreneurship wasn’t the calling for this season.  In this episode, Audrey and Tyler discuss: Why entrepreneurship isn’t always the right path How to pivot careers without starting over Breaking into tech sales without prior experience Using bold outreach in a job search Trusting God through a career change If you’re looking for inspiration to make a career pivot, no matter how impossible you may think it is, this episode is for you. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 00:00 – From video production to tech sales 01:09 – Why entrepreneurship wasn’t the end goal 03:37 – The hidden downsides of freelancing 06:21 – Knowing it was time for a career change 07:26 – Fear and uncertainty in a job pivot 09:07 – The power of self-reflection and clarity 12:48 – Choosing sales with confidence 15:47 – What boldness looked like in his job search 19:31 – The LinkedIn message that changed everything 23:09 – Landing the job over the holidays 27:01 – Faith, favor, and God opening doors 30:48 – Encouragement for Christians considering a pivot 34:16 – Final advice and testimony

    37 min
  6. JAN 20

    253: If You Feel Stuck at Work, This Theology of Calling Might Change Everything

    Does God actually care about the work you do? In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Jinsoo for one of the most honest and theologically rich conversations we’ve had on the show. Jinsoo brings a rare perspective shaped by both marketplace leadership and formal theological training, and together we explore what Scripture actually says about work, calling, confusion, and faithfulness.  We discuss: Why the divide between “ministry” and “marketplace” work is a false one How free will and God’s sovereignty work together in career decisions Why faithfulness doesn’t always mean “sucking it up” or staying stuck How ANY job can participate in God’s kingdom The 5 Ps of calling If you’ve ever felt guilty for not working in ministry, confused by career discontentment, or unsure whether your job matters to God at all, this conversation might change how you see your work. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp RESOURCES MENTIONED: Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller Garden City by John Mark Comer God’s Plans, Your Plans | A sermon by Timothy Keller BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 03:42 – Ministry vs Marketplace: Where the Tension Comes From 07:14 – Why “Secular” Work Has Felt Spiritually Lesser 10:38 – Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration (A Biblical Framework for Work) 16:35 – Does All Our Work Just Burn Up in the End? 21:25 – Two Extremes Christians Believe About Work 35:22 – Burnout, Endurance, and Being a Child of God First 40:55 – How Any Job Can Serve the Kingdom of God 45:27 – The Five Ps of Calling 53:26 – Why Confusion Can Be God’s Gift

    1h 5m
  7. JAN 13

    252: God Cares About Your Business & You’re Not Doing This Alone | Hannah’s Story

    Does God actually care about your business and the work you’re doing? In this client success story, Audrey sits down with Hannah to share what shifted when she realized that God doesn’t just care about her. He cares about her business too. When Hannah first came into coaching, she was overwhelmed and unsure whether her ideas could become something sustainable. She was working hard, juggling too many ideas at once, and quietly questioning if her niche even mattered. Without clear direction, the emotional weight of building started to add up. I know many founders feel this way. We hope this episode becomes a reminder that building a business doesn’t mean carrying everything alone. God cares about the details: the decisions, the doubts, the timing, and when we invite Him into our work honestly, it changes how we build. Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp & Audrey Bagarus CONNECT WITH HANNAH: 🌍 Website / https://www.thebusybunhead.com 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/thebusybunhead/ BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 04:45 – The Fear That Her Business Idea Was Too Small 09:05 – Separating What You’re Good At From What You’re Called To Do 11:40 – How Clarity Changed Her Confidence as a Founder 14:05 – Learning to Invite God Into Business Decisions 16:20 – The Power of Praying Specifically About Your Work 18:55 – Letting Go of Control and Trusting God With Outcomes 22:05 – Why Simplifying Her Business Changed Everything 25:05 – Navigating Emotional Highs and Lows as a Founder 28:10 – “I Get to Do This”: A Healthier Way to Build 34:30 – Encouragement for Anyone Building a Business 37:20 – Where to Find Hannah and Her Work

    42 min
  8. JAN 6

    251: My 2 Year Fertility Journey (a miracle + what God taught me in the process)

    In this episode, I share the full testimony of my two year journey through infertility. In this episode, I share what the waiting season was really like: the confusion, the questions, the tears, and all the ways God quietly and patiently reshaped my heart along the way. In this episode, I talk about: How God changed my heart toward motherhood and children Why infertility challenged my faith in ways I’m grateful for Advice for couples trying to conceive What actually WORKED and what didn’t How to ENJOY life while still waiting on God How this season reshaped my view of vocation, calling, and surrender What’s next for me and the future of The Called Career My prayer is that this episode encourages you, gives language to feelings you might not have known how to name, and reminds you that God is still working, even when the answer hasn’t come yet. And if this resonates with you, or if you’re in need of prayer, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 🤍 Cheering you on, Kelsey Kemp BOOK A FREE CALL WITH US THIS WEEK: https://portal.kelseykemp.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6222458612c06afee1de0032/schedule FREE CAREER COACHING RESOURCES: Free Training: How to Find and Land a Job You Feel Called to in 8 Straightforward Steps → https://thecalledcareer.com/our-process More of a reader? ⁠Download the 22 page PDF⁠ version instead → https://thecalledcareer.mykajabi.com/PDF FOLLOW US ON OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍  Website / https://thecalledcareer.com/ 📸  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_thecalledcareer/ 👨‍💻  Linkedin / https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecalledcareer 🎙 Spotify Podcast / https://open.spotify.com/show/5QpGj7lkYYHaZAkLM27R1F 🎙 Apple Podcast / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answer-the-call-christian-career-coaching/id1468014993 📱 Pinterest / https://www.pinterest.com/thecalledcareer/ TIME STAMPS 01:50 – Why I’m sharing this story on a career podcast 03:53 – How God changed my heart toward motherhood 07:19 – Worldly views vs. biblical views of children 26:48 – Surgery, endometriosis, and healing 32:03 – Why I chose restorative fertility care (NaPro) 33:14 – The pregnancy test moment 39:38 – First trimester vulnerability and faith 43:54 – What DIDN’T work (fertility teas, ads, myths) 49:58 – How I learned to enjoy the waiting season 59:30 – Trusting God’s plan for motherhood 1:02:04 – Maternity leave plan & future of The Called Career

    1h 7m

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4.9
out of 5
87 Ratings

About

The premier podcast helping Christian professionals discern their calling and land a job that's aligned with it. Tune in for weekly episodes on faith, mindset, clarifying your calling, top job search strategies, and even a few lessons on entrepreneurship for those of you who feel called to start a business. Kelsey Kemp is an ex-tech consultant, multi-time founder, TEDx speaker, and career coach at TheCalledCareer.com who has helped hundreds of professionals make meaningful career pivots, from New York to New Zealand, lawyers to high school teachers, 21-65 years old.