MoveUp Max

Feras Ahlou shares the five most important strategies Gen Z job seekers and early-career professionals can use to gain career traction, while also revealing how getting laid off led him to a life-changing entrepreneurial journey.

Key Takeaways

• Over 50% of Gen Z graduates are underemployed a year after graduation—Feras outlines practical steps to overcome this, including leveraging AI, acquiring certifications, and reframing work-...

Most interview questions are easy to prepare for — but this one trips up even seasoned executives, VPs, and top salespeople.
 In this episode, Matthew reveals the deceptively simple interview question designed to uncover dangerous red flags — and how you can ace it to stand out in today's ultra-competitive job market.

You’ll learn:

• The exact question top recruiters use to test your humility and self-awareness
• Why failure ...

A single, career-defining question: “Can I create disproportionate value here - and will the organization reward it in the ways that matter to me?”

• Matthew shares the #1 question you must ask yourself before committing to a new job.
• Learn how to align your personal value creation with what a company truly rewards.
• Understand the difference between big bureaucratic vs. small fast-growing companies for your career path.
• Discover how ...

Connect with Lorraine:
unforgettablepresencebook.com
linkedin.com/in/lorraineklee

Lorraine K. Lee, LinkedIn Top Voice & author of Unforgettable Presence (Apr 22 2025) 

• Big Idea – Hard work gets you noticed inside your cubicle; presence gets you noticed outside it.
• 3 Arenas to Master
  1. Executive Poise – How you show up in rooms.
  2. Digital Footprint – LinkedIn posts ≈ once / month to start.
  3. Micro‑Interactions – Slack, meeti...

• Plant Now, Win Later: Use a simple strategy to build job opportunities, inspired by "plant a tree today."
• Smart LinkedIn Outreach: Craft thoughtful messages to leaders, positioning yourself as a solution, not a job seeker.
• Multiple Irons in Fire: Connect with many companies for opportunities now and years ahead.
• Solution Method: Reach leaders above you with value-driven messages to build trust early.
• Track Connections: Ma...

Dr. Sharon Hull: Founder of Meta Solutions and author of Professional Careers by Design, Dr. Hull brings 35 years of experience as a physician and coach to help over 450 clients pivot careers.

Beating Self-Doubt: She shares her "hip pocket questions," starting with "What matters most to you?" to guide listeners through career uncertainty.

Five-Step Framework: Identify what matters to you, your stakeholders, and yo...

The Big Five Personality Traits and how they relate to career growth:

• Openness to Experience
• Conscientiousness
• Extraversion
• Agreeableness
• Neuroticism (emotional stability)

Traits linked to higher promotion rates:

• Extraversion – Helps with visibility and networking
• Conscientiousness – Correlates with high performance and dependability
• Emotional Stability – Supports calm decision-making under stress

Traits that may hold you b...

• Meet the Experts: Dr. Randy Brazie (psychiatrist and medical director) and Dr. Geoffrey VanderPal (educator, financial advisor) discuss how medicine, neuroscience, and business intersect to help job seekers.
• Science of Stress: Understand how the nervous system reacts under pressure and why recognizing fight-or-flight (or freeze) responses is crucial for interview success.
• Practical Anxiety Techniques: Learn subtle “orienting” met...

Handwritten thank you letters set you apart—but only send them for roles you actually want.

• Don’t bother writing one if you had a weird vibe, didn’t connect, or just aren’t excited.
• If the company, manager, role, or pay feels right—go the extra mile.
• Keep it short, safe, and strategic. This isn’t a place for emotion or storytelling.
• The goal? To show appreciation, reinforce interest, and subtly remind them you’re the solution to th...

• Introduction to Positivity: This year’s focus is on how positivity can transform your personal growth, job search, interviews, and overall career trajectory.
• Defining Positivity: It’s not just happiness—it’s choosing hope, proactivity, and a solution-focused mindset despite challenges.
• Benefits in Career Growth:
  • Positivity boosts resilience in a fast-changing work world.
  • It enhances networking, opportunity recognition, and...

Why Workplace Conflict Is Rising

• 70% say conflict at work is worse than ever.
• Remote work, poor management, and stress fuel tension.

Ace Conflict-Related Interview Questions

• Employers ask: “Tell me about a time you faced conflict?”
• Use the 4 C’s: Connection, Clarity, Curiosity, Commitment.

 De-Escalate Conflict Like a Pro

• Use “Tell me more” to calm heated situations.
• Spot toxic workplaces before you accept the job.

Tired of sending cover letters that never get a response? In this episode, I share a game-changing strategy that top executives and sales leaders use to stand out—and it works for anyone from entry-level to C-suite. Stop begging for jobs and start solving problems with this simple but powerful approach.

Key Takeaways:
  Why mass applying is a waste of time – and what to do instead
  The "Rebecca Method" – a real-wo...

Career pivots are more common than ever – Nearly 49% of professionals make a major career change, and employers are becoming more open to hiring pivoters.

The employer's perspective – While some still see career changers as risky, many companies now recognize the value of diverse experience and fresh thinking.

Key factors that make a career pivot successful:

• Commitment – Show you’ve done the research, taken relevant courses, ...

Episode Summary:

• Networking That Works – Strategies to leverage your contacts for job opportunities.
• Breaking the Fear of Networking – How to start building relationships even if you don’t know many people.
• The Power of Intentional Networking – Why it’s not about collecting business cards but forming meaningful connections.
• Lessons from the Trenches – Dr. Benjamin Ritter and Matthew share their real-life experiences (successes &...

Rejection emails are frustrating, but what about ghosting, or when a position is put on hold? It’s not a bad sign—it’s an opportunity. In this episode, I break down:

• Why companies pause hiring – Common reasons behind hiring freezes and delays.
• What a “position on hold” really means – Why it’s not the same as rejection.
• The two common (but ineffective) responses – What most candidates do wrong.
• A powerful follow-up strategy – How to...

In this episode, we dive into perfectionism—how it impacts job seekers, employees, and leaders—and explore strategies to overcome its pitfalls without losing its advantages. Our guest is Dr. Gregory Chasson, a board-certified cognitive behavioral therapist, researcher, educator, and author of the new book, Flawed. Dr. Chasson breaks down why perfectionism can be both an asset and a hindrance, explaining how rigid thinking and exces...

In this episode of The Job Interview Experience, we dive deep into the fascinating (and often entertaining) world of interview vibes. Whether you're the over-prepared pro, the natural conversationalist, or even the overly confident charmer, understanding your interview style could be the key to unlocking your next big opportunity—or learning what’s holding you back.

 Here’s what you’ll discover:

• The 10 unique interview style...