Qualified Isn’t Enough: Gina Riley on Standing Out in the Job Market

On this episode of The Authority Company Podcast, Joe Pardavila sits down with executive career strategist Gina Riley, creator of the Career Velocity™ System and author of Qualified Isn’t Enough. Drawing on her background in executive search and career coaching, Gina shares why being “qualified” is only the starting point for landing competitive leadership roles.

They explore:

• How hiring attitudes toward transferable skills have shifted since the pandemic
• Why “job hugging” is shaping today’s workforce
• The pitfalls of relying solely on resumes and applicant tracking systems
• The importance of a unique value proposition in standing out from equally qualified candidates 
• How to navigate interviews with confidence using her RARE Candidate Framework
• The hidden job market and strategies to access it
• Challenges executives face in mid-career transitions, including age bias, and how to overcome them

Packed with insights from her book and coaching practice, Gina provides practical advice for leaders who want to sharpen their presence, tell their story effectively, and position themselves as the clear choice for high-stakes opportunities.