The HR Mentor

#96: How a Growth Mindset Can Help Your Job Search

Job searching as a new HR graduate can feel overwhelming—especially when rejections start piling up. But what if your mindset was the key to transforming your job search experience? In this episode, we’re diving into how shifting to a growth mindset can help you overcome obstacles, stay motivated, and ultimately land your first HR role.
I’ll walk you through five actionable strategies to develop a growth mindset, including how to reframe rejection, take proactive steps to improve your skills, and leverage networking as a learning opportunity. Plus, we’ll explore how AI tools can support your job search and help you continuously improve along the way. If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated in your job hunt, this episode is for you!
Episode Highlights:
[2:15] – What is a growth mindset, and why is it critical for job seekers?[6:40] – The difference between a fixed and growth mindset in your job search[9:55] – Reframing rejection: How to turn setbacks into learning experiences[14:20] – The power of taking small, actionable steps to improve your skills[18:35] – Why networking is a game-changer (and how to make it easier)[22:50] – The impact of growth-oriented self-talk and how to practice it[26:10] – Setting process-oriented goals instead of focusing only on outcomes[30:45] – How AI tools can help you improve your resume, interview skills, and job search strategy
Resources & Links:
🎧 Related Episodes:
Episode 87: Networking for Introverts with Michelle Amaral
Episode 49: Nix Your Networking Fears
Episode 33: Building Successful Relationships
Episode 8: The Importance of Making Connections
💡 Other Helpful Links:
Join the HR Career Cafe on LinkedIn
Join the HR Career Accelerator (use discount code: HRMENTORPOD)
Sign up for the Newsletter
Let’s Stay Connected!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a fellow HR grad or early career professional! Your support helps others find the show, and I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or LinkedIn.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! You can find The HR Mentor on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean.
 

#95: Navigating the Future: Key HR Priorities for Emerging Professionals

As a new graduate stepping into the world of HR, you’re entering a field that’s evolving faster than ever before. In this episode, Melanie breaks down the most important trends shaping the industry and what you need to know to stay ahead. From AI-powered recruitment tools to remote work policies, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies, and the growing emphasis on employee well-being, we cover it all. Plus, I’ll share practical ways to keep up with industry changes and make yourself a standout candidate in the job market.
If you've ever wondered how to stay on top of HR trends—or how to answer that question in an interview—you won’t want to miss this episode. Grab a notebook and your favorite drink, and let’s dive in!
00:00 Introduction to Key HR Trends
00:15 The Rise of Technology in HR
02:34 AI in Recruitment and HRIS Systems
05:40 Data Analytics in HR
08:08 Remote and Hybrid Work Policies
13:34 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
17:58 Employee Wellbeing and Mental Health
26:42 Lifelong Learning and Career Development
31:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Helpful Links Related to this Episode:
🔗 McLean & Co. HR Trends Report for 2025🔗 HR Associations: CPHR, SHRM, and CIPD🔗 Recommended HR leaders to follow: David Green, Sharyn Lauby, Dave Ulrich, Enrique Rubio🔗 Learning platforms: LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Udemy
Other Helpful Links:
Join the HR Career Cafe on LinkedIn
Join the HR Career Accelerator and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
Sign up for the Newsletter 
Let’s Stay Connected:If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a fellow HR grad or early career professional! And if you've got a minute, a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn helps others find the show! And don’t forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode.
Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean!
Thanks for tuning in—until next time, stay curious! 
 

#94: Build Your Personal Brand with Melanie Denny

🎙️ Episode Summary:
I’m beyond thrilled to bring you this inspiring and insightful conversation with Melanie Denny! Melanie is a personal branding consultant, LinkedIn strategist, and founder of the Empowered Presence™ framework, helping brilliant women of color gain visibility and seize new opportunities beyond the 9-5. She’s been featured in Forbes, HuffPost, Yahoo News, Fast Company, NBC News, and more—and her expertise in self-marketing and career empowerment is unmatched.
In this episode, Melanie and I dive deep into the power of personal branding. We discuss how to build a brand that gets noticed, what new grads can do to jumpstart their visibility, and how AI tools can make branding easier than ever. Melanie also shares actionable advice and her signature strategies to help you stand out and unlock your next big opportunity. Don’t miss this game-changing conversation!
⏱ Episode Highlights:[1:35] - Meet Melanie Denny: Her inspiring journey to becoming a personal branding powerhouse.[5:22] - Why personal branding is crucial for career success—and how to start building yours today.[12:10] - Personal branding tips for new grads: How to stand out in a competitive market.[18:30] - Using AI to simplify your personal branding process (tools and tips you don’t want to miss!).[25:40] - Common mistakes professionals make on LinkedIn—and how to fix them fast.[31:12] - Melanie’s Empowered Presence™ framework and how it’s transforming lives.
📌 Links & Resources:
Empowered Presence Podcast: www.empoweredpresence.tv
Melanie's LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/melanieldenny
Free LinkedIn Reviews: www.resume-evolution.com/freelinkedinreview
Other helpful links:
Join the HR Career Cafe on LinkedIn
Join the HR Career Accelerator and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
Sign up for the Newsletter 
❤️ Let’s Stay Connected:If you loved this episode, I’d be so grateful for a quick rating and review on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn! And don’t forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean!

#93: How to Reignite Your Career Goals

Welcome back to The HR Mentor! I’m so excited to be here with you again after a little time away. If you’ve been a listener for a while, you probably noticed it’s been about six months since my last episode. During that time, I stepped back to focus on some other priorities in my work and personal life, and today, I want to share what I’ve learned from that break and how you can start fresh and reignite your career goals as we step into 2025.
Thanks for your patience and for being here - I appreciate you!
The three-step process to recalibrate your Career Goals:
Reflect
Clarify
Act
Helpful Links for this Episode:
Episode 82: Why Certifications Can Wait
Episode 2: 3 Steps to Shift Your Limiting Beliefs and Improve Your Job Search
Sign up for the HR Career Accelerator Program (HRCA) and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
Sign up for the Newsletter 
If you feel generous and want to send my love my way, I would be very grateful for a review and rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean
 

#92: Building Connections Online with Andrew Stoute

Do you struggle to make connections on LinkedIn? Does it ever feel awkward to reach out to people to introduce yourself or to invite them to a virtual coffee conversation? If that's you, this episode will change that for you.
My guest on the show today is Andrew Stoute. Andrew is a leadership and career development consultant and the host of Let’s Be Diverse, an HR podcast covering many topics to help inspire your leadership journey. Andrew  has also been a huge supporter of The HR Mentor podcast for the last couple of years. Andrew connected with me through LinkedIn and  invited me on his show as a guest to talk about organizational development. And since we first connected, I have watched him increase his number of connections exponentially. He has now produced 100 episodes of Let's Be Diverse, each featuring a unique guest. During our conversation, I ask Andrew to share how he approaches making connections online and he shares his advice for new graduates who might be a little shier when it comes to networking.
Helpful Links for this Episode:
Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-stoute-20940960/
Listen to the Let's Be Diverse Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-be-diverse-solutions-for-hr-leaders-managers-and/id1675411051
Join the HR Career Cafe on LinkedIn
Join the HR Career Accelerator and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
Sign up for the Newsletter
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean

#91: Why Quality Over Quantity is the Job Search Strategy You Need Now

According to June labour statistics, the Canadian unemployment is up to 6.4%. In this episode, Melanie shares guidance on a job search strategy to overcome a downturn in the labour market. Because a downturn in the market doesn’t mean you can’t find a great HR job. But, it does mean you must be strategic about your job search. In Melanie’s mind, that means you need to focus on quality over quantity. 
Listen in as Melanie explains what a quality job search is and shares five reasons why infusing more quality in your job search is the best approach. And be sure to scroll down to check out the helpful links if you are truly serious about landing that fantastic HR job.
Five reasons you should engage in a quality versus quantity job search:
Higher Success Rate
Better Alignment with Career Goals
Efficient Use of Personal Resources and Energy
Enhanced Networking Opportunities
Improved Job Satisfaction
Helpful Links for this Episode:
Read the Labour Force Survey, June 2024
Listen to Episode 87: Networking for Introverts with Michelle Amaral
Listen to Episode 8: The Importance of Making Connections
Listen to Episode 89 and hear Trupti Patel’s job search success story
Join the HR Career Accelerator and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
Sign up for the Newsletter 
Join the HR Career Cafe on LinkedIn
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean

#90: Talking Mental Health with Alfred Achoba

In this episode, my co-host, Michelle Amaral, and I had the opportunity to spend some time with Alfred Achoba from CMHA—Kamloops Branch. Alfred is the Executive Director and has been with the organization for over a decade. During our conversation, Alfred shared his personal career story and talked about why he pursued a career in community social services, particularly mental health and wellbeing.
Alfred also shares a lot of information about the work of CMHA and how organizations and HR professionals can better support workers and have conversations about mental health. We also talk about the student experience and how they can access support as they navigate early adulthood and possibly life in a new country. Alfred's passion for his work and generous spirit shine through this conversation. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
If you are experiencing stress, burnout or depression, please seek help. I will leave a few links to resources in the show notes. If your workplace has an Employee Benefits Plan, you may also want to contact your HR department to see what resources and tools are available to support you. Most importantly, don’t ignore or downplay how you are feeling. Your mental health is as, if not more important than your physical health and should be giving the same amount of attention. You are not alone, and there is help out there.
Here are helpful links to resources to support your mental health and wellbeing:
If you are in crisis and need to talk to someone, please call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (4 pm to 12 am ET).
Canadian Mental Health Association of BC
Public Health Canada - lots of links and resources
Province of BC Mental Health Supports
World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Supports Page
Checkpoint.org Provides a list of Resources in many countries
Other Helpful Links for this Episode:
Connect with Alfred Achoba on LinkedIn
Send Alfred an email: achoba@cmhakamloops.ca
Listen to Episode 32: Your Wellbeing Matters with David Trawin and learn about David's journey with mental health as a senior leader.
Join the HR Career Cafe on LinkedIn
Join the HR Career Accelerator and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
Sign up for the Newsletter
If you feel generous and want to send love my way, I would be grateful for a review and rating on Apple Podcasts Spotify, or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms or wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean

#89: From Job Seeker to Job Offer with Trupti Patel

Today is a very special episode. I am joined by one of my former students and one of the first graduates from the HR Career Accelerator program, Trupti Patel. In this episode, Trupti talks about her career journey and how she went from being a job seeker to a job offer in less than five months post-graduation. If you are a job seeker struggling to find your way, this episode will guide you on the right actions to take and motivate you to keep moving forward.  
We discuss key strategies to stand out in a competitive environment, the importance of effective networking, and how to prepare for interviews. Trupti also offers insights into personal branding and maintaining motivation throughout the job search process. This episode is packed with practical tips and encouragement for all job seekers.
Timeline Summary:
00:00 Introduction and Land Acknowledgment
00:27 Guest Introduction: Tripti Patel
02:38: Trupti's Background and Journey to HR
10:40: Experiences and Learnings at TRU
15:21: Trupti's Challenges in her Job Search
16:57: Mindset and Strategies for Success
31:44: Current Role and Responsibilities
38:27: Advice for New Graduates
40:59: Trupti's Feedback on the HR Career Acclerator Program (HRCA)
43:50: Conclusion and Final Thoughts 
Helpful Links for this Episode:
Connect with Trupti Patel on LinkedIn
Join The HR Career Cafe on LinkedIn
Join the HR Career Accelerator program and go from Job Seeker to Job offer. Remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD to get an amazing 25% discount on the entire program.
Sign up for the Newsletter and get free career advice in your inbox every month.
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean

#88: Why You Should Say YES to a Summer Social Event

Have you been invited to a summer social event or activity? Did you delete the invitation or respond with a no-thank-you? If you did, I encourage you to listen to this episode. In it, I explain the benefits of saying YES to that summer social and how to mix fun with career acceleration.
Helpful Links for this Episode:
Join The HR Career Cafe on LinkedIn
Join the HR Career Accelerator program and go from Job Seeker to Job offer. Remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD to get an amazing 25% discount on the entire program.
Sign up for the Newsletter and get free career advice in your inbox every month.
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean

#87: Networking for Introverts with Michelle Amaral

In this episode, my new part-time co-host, Michelle Amaral and I talk about something that I believe is critical to your HR job search. Networking is the key to success for so many new grads and professionals. But we also understand that it is not a comfortable experience for all job seekers. So in this episode, Michelle shares strategies for anyone who feels they are more introverted and fearful of networking so that you too, can take advantage of this powerful strategy for your HR job search.
Helpful Links for this Episode:
Listen to Episode 8: The Importance of Building Connections
Join The HR Career Cafe on LinkedIn
Get on the waitlist for The HR Career Accelerator and remember your discount code HRMENTORPOD
Sign up for the HR Mentor Career Newsletter 
If you are feeling generous and want to send some love my way, I would be so very grateful for a review and a rating on Apple Podcasts or a recommendation on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to subscribe to The HR Mentor so you never miss an episode on the following platforms:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Podbean
Intro Background Music by Playsound from Pixabay