Jeff Schwartz is the VP of Insights and Impact at Gloat, an AI talent marketplace platform. What’s happening today in the white-collar job market is as slow as it’s ever going to be, according to Jeff. We’re going to see disruption and substantial change in optimizing the current processes and redesigning the work with superjobs and superteams. The job you are doing today will not exist in the same form in the near future. It’s not a matter of will you lose your job, but will you lose your job to someone leveraging AI and other emerging technologies. Jeff emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset during this period of transition, characterized by new approaches, mindsets and ways of thinking beyond an optimization mindset. He speaks to the importance of creative destruction. Jeff talks about how startups should focus on falling in love with solving a problem rather than the technology. He shares how Gloat is helping people find internal jobs, projects and gig markets to grow their careers or make a pivot, and companies redeploy and re-skill talent when sunsetting roles. Lastly, Jeff reflects on his storied career from public policy to the Peace Corps., investment banking to management consulting, living in several countries across the world, and how that informs his views on the global talent pool and distributed workforce.

Company holiday parties can be tricky! Discover the importance of maintaining a professional image while celebrating. Learn the do’s and don’ts of networking and social interactions, and hear humorous anecdotes about drinking mishaps. Understand the fine line between innocent flirting and inappropriate behavior, along with the consequences of crossing that line. Plus, get tips on gracefully exiting boring conversations and navigating the potential stigma of job loss due to holiday party blunders. Enjoy the festivities, but do so wisely!

A recent survey has unveiled a startling disconnect between young people’s perception of financial success and their economic reality. The study revealed that Gen-Z believe an annual salary of $587,797 and a net worth of $9.47 million are necessary to achieve financial success.  In this episode, we talk about why this generation has such a high benchmark for financial success and why it may be unrealistic. We explore alternative career routes that could be high-paying for people looking to make a lot of money.

There is an ongoing debate about whether or not you should bring your authentic self to work. Critics say that you should check all that at the door, leaving behind your personal politics, social causes and sob stories.  In this episode, we discuss the extent to which we should allow people to be their authentic selves in the workplace. Do you allow the rockstar jerk to continue to be a jerk if he is bringing in a lot of money? We also explore how there is power in embracing your true self, giving you the confidence to go after “crazy” ideas, advocate for yourself and effect change

Aaron Terrazas, former chief economist at Glassdoor and expert on the labor market, discusses the duality of today's job markets and the erosion of white-collar job quality. He sheds light on the generational shift as Baby Boomers retire, impacting workforce dynamics and intergenerational wealth. The conversation also tackles the complexities of inflation, the changing landscape of immigration and labor supply, and the uncertainties that lie ahead as we approach 2025. Terrazas emphasizes the need for nuanced dialogue on these pressing economic issues.

Phil Willburn, VP of People Analytics at Workday, shares valuable insights into the highly competitive job market for white-collar workers—where applications outpace openings four to one. He advises job seekers to 'crush their jobs' and build connections, emphasizing the significance of networking and referrals in landing opportunities. Willburn discusses the challenges of career stagnation and contrasts 'quiet quitting' with proactive engagement. He underscores the importance of both human and social capital to thrive in today's fast-evolving workplace.

The podcast dives into the DOJ's push to break up Google, highlighting a recent court ruling on its monopoly in search and advertising. It discusses potential divestments of Chrome and Android, drawing parallels to Microsoft’s past. Legal challenges facing Google could alter competition and innovation in tech. The impact on other giants like Facebook is also explored, along with the political tactics of tech executives. Lastly, potential industry shifts, employee dynamics, and investor ramifications from these regulatory changes are examined.

Robert Israch is the President of Tipalti, a global finance automation platform, who has over 20 years of leadership experience. During Rob’s tenure, Tipalti has experienced 50x growth, while helping the company receive a valuation of over $8.3 billion. The company has appeared on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and Inc. 5000 lists for the last five years running. In this episode, Rob talks about the importance of the 3 P’s when balancing your career: Place, People and Profession and how he went against the advice of his mentors by following his gut and taking a less-senior role in a position he knew he could grow in. Rob walks us through the framework of when is the right time to switch companies, as well as assessing a potential employer. He gives insight into what makes a company successful, such as its commitment to hard work, grit, problem-solving and conflict resolution. Rob also breaks down the concept of customer centricity.

Kiranbir Sodhia is a Senior Engineering Manager, leading teams developing machine learning frameworks for Google and the open-source community. He has over 15 years of experience working in AI, AR, gaming, mobile app and semiconductor industries at companies like Microsoft, Apple and Garmin International. Notably, at Microsoft he led development teams in Azure, Xbox and HoloLens. Kiranbir has always known exactly what he wanted to do, since the age of 12, and used that vision to build the stepping stones and skill sets to achieve his goals. He walks us through his trajectory to becoming a manager and how he has maintained the same enthusiasm all these years later. Kiranbir talks about why you shouldn’t fear failure and how it can be a key motivator for greatness. He gives us insight into the interviewing process at the prestigious Big Tech companies, from the perspective of both a job candidate and as a leader who has built his own teams. Lastly, Kiranbir shares how he turned down pre-IPO Facebook to work at his then-dream employer Apple, a decision he calls “comical” and humbling.

Mark McCaffrey is the CFO of GoDaddy. McCaffrey joined the company in 2021 after a long and successful career at PwC—a decision that was swiftly made within 24 hours of a conversation with the company's CEO. He was drawn to GoDaddy's passion for its customers and its underdog mentality, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the company's transformation from a domain business. In this episode of the Blind Ambition Podcast with Jack Kelly, we discuss the importance of controlling your personal career narrative, which often involves taking risks and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Mark talks about why passion is crucial, as well as surrounding yourself with a network of sponsors, mentors and coaches. His career journey not only provides an interesting case study on opportunities after a lifetime in public accounting, but also highlights the importance of recognizing opportunity, identifying emotional leadership and developing the confidence needed to bet a career on a gut feeling.