There is a specific kind of silence that happens when the work stops. It’s the shadow side of the professional world—the part people rarely discuss at dinner parties or on LinkedIn, but it is the reality for millions right now. When the work stops, the silence isn't just in your inbox; it’s in your home, your marriage, and your very soul. Whether it’s a plant shutdown, a drought, a recession, or a new AI algorithm—it feels the same. It feels like a folding chair just collapsed underneath you. Recent data shows that nearly 40% of global employment is exposed to AI disruption, and in the US alone, we see roughly 1.5 million layoffs per month. But statistics don't feel the humiliation. They don't feel the shrink that happens when you’ve been out for months and can no longer stand up firm and strong. If you’re ducking night outs to avoid the “What do you do?” conversation, this episode is for you. And yet, there’s another truth running alongside this one. There’s a moment in every career where you realize you’re not just building a résumé—you’re building a life. And sometimes that life is shaped by the people who believed in you long before you believed in yourself. For today’s guest, that spark came from a grandfather who told her she was destined for more, a son who reminded her to stay present, and a community of professionals who needed someone to advocate for them. This episode is for anyone navigating career transitions, leadership challenges, or the pressure to “figure it out” while the world keeps shifting. Because today, we’re talking about faith, resilience, and the real work of finding—and becoming—top talent. About the Guest Arvi Carkanji is the founder and CEO of Elite Talent, a recruiting firm that helps tech companies build Pre‑Sales and Post‑Sales teams that actually work. She specializes in placing Sales Engineers, Solutions Architects, Customer Success leaders… basically, the people who turn “maybe” into “yes” and “yes” into “hell yes, let’s expand this contract.” She’s got a 92% retention rate in an industry where most hires bail faster than a bad Tinder date. She calls it “professional matchmaking” because she genuinely believes recruiting is less about resumes and more about chemistry, timing, and whether someone’s going to thrive in your chaos or become part of it. Her philosophy is pretty simple: Pre‑Sales is where the money is made. Post‑Sales is where the reputation is built. Nail those two, and you’ve got yourself a business. Mess them up, and, well… good luck. She works with tech startups from Pre‑Seed to Series C, and honestly, her biggest mission? Putting Pre‑Sales on the map. She wants people to say, “I want to grow up to be a Sales Engineer,” because honestly, it’s one of the most underrated, high‑impact careers out there. These are the people who translate tech into value, who close deals and build trust. They deserve way more credit than they get — and although Elite Talent has expanded to help founders and leaders with more roles than that, the mission hasn’t changed. Pre/Post‑Sales is the company’s bread and butter, and she’s pretty confident that she understands it a lot better than some recruiters who have been in the business for 10+ years because she studies it deeply. Website: https://elitetalentrecruiting.io/ LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elitetalentrecruiting/ LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arvi-carkanji/ Email: arvi@elitetalentrecruiting.io Learn more at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/denleymcintosh/
