The Gen Z Launch Series - In today’s competitive job market, many recent graduates find themselves feeling lost about what truly matters in the hiring process.When I spoke with Kim Steiner and Amy Kraus, partners at Force Recruiting, they shared valuable insights that can help job seekers better understand what employers are really looking for. In this post, we’ll explore the keydisconnects between what candidates think matters and what actually influences hiring decisions, as well as practical tips for standing out.Understanding the Disconnect: What Candidates Think vs. Reality - The first major insight from our discussion focused on the disconnect between candidates' perceptions and the reality of what hiring managers prioritize. Many recent graduates are heavily focused on their online presence and social media clout, believing that these factors will secure them a job. However, Kim stresses that while a social media presence can be beneficial, it’s the fundamentals that truly matter.

Preparation is Key: Candidates should invest time inpreparing for interviews and researching the companies they are applying to. This preparation includes understanding the company’s culture and being able toarticulate how they can contribute to its success.

In this conversation with Kim Steiner and Amy Krause of Fource Recruiting, I wanted to pull back the curtain on what the hiring process actually looks like from the recruiter’s side, especially for Gen Z candidates and the parents trying to help them. What came through clearly is that getting hired is not just about having a degree or a polished resume. It is about preparation, communication, self-awareness, and understanding what employers are really responding to when they sit across from a candidate.One of the most important ideas threaded through this episode is the difference between the manager model and the developing model that David Yeager writes about. The manager model is focused on immediate performance, compliance, and getting someone to do the job right now. The developing model is different — it is about helping a person grow, build confidence, and become more capable over time. That shift matters because it changes how leaders, parents, and employers think about young people entering the workforce. Instead of asking only, “How do I get this person to perform?”, the developing model asks, “How do I help this person get better?”Kim and Amy brought the kind of insight that only comes from being in the room every day. They talked honestly about the disconnect between what young people think will get them hired and what actually moves a resume to the top of the pile. They also spoke to the importance of fundamentals: showing up prepared, being genuine, asking thoughtful questions, and presenting yourself as someone ready to contribute, not just someone hoping to be chosen.We also talked about the changing expectations around work, the pressure parents feel when helping their children choose majors and career paths, and the reality that careers are becoming less linear. In the end, this episode is really about helping families and young adults better understand the gap between assumption and reality — and what it takes to move through that gap with more confidence, more growth, and less confusion.FOR MORE: FourceRecruiting.compivotpointnikmichael.comnikmichael.substack.com

What if the discomfort you feel isn't dissatisfaction—but a sign you've outgrown your current life?

In this episode of Pivot Point: Strategy for Change, Kim Costa shares how a quiet realization in her 50s led her to reinvent her life, redefine success, and create a path rooted in authenticity. Through her personal journey and the development of the Wheelhouse Method, Kim explores how our environments often mirror our inner lives—and how small changes can create powerful shifts in clarity, purpose, and well-being.

Together, we discuss the courage to recognize what no longer fits, embrace change before crisis forces it, and build a life aligned with who you are becoming. If you're feeling stuck, questioning your next step, or seeking greater fulfillment, this conversation offers practical wisdom and inspiration to help you discover your own pivot point.