Moonshot Mentor with Laverne McKinnon

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comWondering why you're not landing job interviews?I recently hired a social media manager and digital strategist as an independent contractor. I reviewed more than 80 applications, interviewed 8 candidates, and ultimately selected someone who was a strong values and skills match for my business.Along the way, I saw patterns: small but avoidable mistakes that knocked people out of the running, and thoughtful choices that made others stand out.Whether you’re job-hunting, freelancing, or just curious about what really happens behind the scenes, here’s what I learned from the other side of the table.The SetupI originally posted the job on LinkedIn with a link to a Google form and a full job description. I kept it up for about a week. I chose not to use other job sites because I didn’t want to deal with the hassle of learning the back end of a different platform. I was also hoping people in my LinkedIn network would share the post and that I’d get a few solid referrals.Within 48 hours of the initial post, I got one direct email from someone who knew me, one referral from a colleague, and one blind application. A good start, but I wanted to be more thorough.So I widened the search by creating a “real” job post on LinkedIn. What I didn’t realize is that LinkedIn charges ninety dollars per day to post. They gave me three days free, but as a small business owner, I wasn’t going to spend ninety dollars a day just to keep the listing active.Luckily, within two days of the “real” job posting, I had eighty applications. That felt like plenty.What I Found From Reviewing 80 ApplicationsHonestly, I was super excited to dive into the applications. I was especially thrilled to see submissions from all over the world—Bangladesh, France, India, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, and the United States.Most of the applications came in during the first 24 hours. After 72 hours, a few stragglers trickled in and while I did skim the late ones, I’ll admit I had already mentally moved forward. Timing matters.Out of the eighty applicants, I narrowed the list by half and shared those files with my brand manager. She helped me get even more honest about what I actually needed and held me accountable to the criteria we set at the start.We eventually set up eight interviews. It felt like a lot, but I wanted to give anyone who seemed like a genuine match a real chance.Here’s what helped applicants stand out during the review process:🟢 Clear portfolios that included a case study: The strongest candidates didn’t just drop links. They walked me through the work. A few shared mini case studies that showed how they helped a client overcome a challenge, what they contributed, and what the outcome was. That level of detail made it easier for me to picture what they’d be like as a collaborator.🟢 Design sensibility: Because this was a social media and digital strategy role, I was paying close attention to layout, visuals, tone, and clarity. While I recognize people can adapt their style to the client, I wanted to make sure their inherent sensibility aligned for me.🟢 Answering the questions in the application: It was evident which people took the time to answer thoughtfully while a handful gave responses that felt rushed or vague.And here’s what raised flags:🔴 Links to portfolios that didn’t work: About a quarter of applicants had portfolio links that didn’t work, or applicants asked me to email them for access to their portfolios. I did take the extra step for the few people whose resumes intrigued me, but ultimately I felt like they should have the ability to provide a link without me taking an extra step.🔴 25 percent weren’t actually qualified: There are some companies that say in their job posting: “Apply even if you’re not a perfect fit.” I get that they want to help people move beyond imposter syndrome so they can find the best candidates. But when someone’s experience was too far off from what I needed, it just created noise.🔴 AI-generated portfolios that missed the mark: I use AI myself, so I both appreciate the efficiency it creates and I recognize the telltale signs. Four of the applicants appeared to have quickly assembled portfolios using AI tools without any real direction or originality. The result? Work that didn’t make sense, had factual mistakes, or just didn’t align with the role.🔴 Hourly rates far outside my posted range: I included an hourly rate range in the job description and asked candidates to share their typical rate to make sure we were on the same page. About ten applicants listed rates way outside my budget. I didn’t move forward with them or review their materials in depth.From there, it was time to meet the people behind the resumes and portfolios to see how they showed up in real-time.What I Learned From the InterviewsWe scheduled thirty-minute Zoom interviews with the eight candidates. The structure was simple: about twenty minutes of questions from me and my colleague, followed by ten minutes for them to ask us anything.Here’s what I noticed that made a difference:🟢 Rapport matters: This is a remote role, and we’ll be spending time together on Zoom. If someone had warm, open energy or at least felt grounded and present it helped us connect quickly. When someone came on screen with a sour expression or low energy, it took more effort to build trust.🟢 Preparation is a form of respect: One candidate showed up with a short slide deck. She walked us through her process, how she collaborates with clients, and even pitched a few quick ideas based on our job description. It was simple, but it showed initiative and made it easier to imagine working together.🟢 Use your questions to showcase your skills and preferences: One candidate asked about our best practices for communications. They shared that they like to use slack rather than email to check in on project status and priorities. That kind of question not only showed she was thinking ahead, it gave us a preview of what collaboration would feel like.And here’s what raised flags:🔴 Interviewing from public places: One person Zoomed in from a loud café. It made it hard to hear, and it signaled a lack of care. For a remote role, you’ve got to treat the interview space as part of your professional presence.🔴 Generic or scripted questions: We always left time for the candidates to ask us questions, and it was easy to tell who was genuinely curious versus who had Googled “top 10 questions to ask in an interview.” One person asked about professional development opportunities which is fine, but it felt disconnected from a part-time, remote independent contractor role.🔴 Time zone confusion: One person didn’t realize we were in different time zones and we had to reschedule late into the process. It wasn’t the end of the world, but for a remote-first role, that kind of detail matters.Choosing just one person wasn’t easy. Most of the candidates we interviewed were thoughtful, prepared, and brought a wide range of strengths.Why We Hired the Person We HiredThe person we eventually hired didn’t check every single box on the job description. In fact, she was missing one key piece of experience. But the rest of her application, and the fact that she came in as a referral, made us curious to meet her. And when we did, she knocked it out of the ballpark.We had immediate rapport. She was specifically excited about the role because of the nature of my work and where I am in my social media journey. She saw an opportunity to grow with me and to shine. We talked openly about the experience gap, and she shared an example of how she had taught herself something similar in the past. She also spoke clearly about what sets her up for success and what makes her grumpy. That kind of insight is gold.In the end, the deciding factor was the learning curve. The other finalists were missing skills that would take more time to develop, and for this particular role, I needed someone who could hit the ground running.Final ThoughtsSo if you have ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes, now you know. It’s such thoughtful, messy, human work on both sides. Here’s how I was diligent on my side:* Be kind and responsive. It was important to keep the process human and treat people like people and not robots.* Be clear about what I needed before the interviews began. I get that it takes a lot of time and energy to apply so my clarity was important for all of us involved to find the right match.* Follow-up. Everyone I interacted with was professional and simply wanted to know the outcome. I responded to each person individually via email.Things to know when you’re applying:* If you have at least eighty percent of the skills, apply. Be honest about your gaps and be specific about how you would approach them.* On the flip side, don’t apply just for the heck of it or because “you never know.” Be intentional so you don’t burn out.* Bring your unique energy and presence. It truly matters.* Take the time to prepare thoughtful questions. Your curiosity is part of your pitch.* Apply even if you don’t have a referral. Most of the candidates we interviewed were not referrals and they came really close.Behind every job post is a real person trying to solve a real problem. Behind every application is someone raising their hand. Knowing what happens behind the scenes doesn’t fix a stressful process, but it can make it feel a little less personal and a little more navigate-able.This space isn’t just about reading—it’s about growing. Join the Moonshot Mentor community of paid subscribers and receive journal prompts that help you reflect, process, and move forward with clarity.Journal PromptsHere are three journal prompts for paid Moonshot Mentor subscribers. If you are job-seeking or thinking about your next move, these questions can help you get clear about what you want and how you want to show up in the process.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comThere comes a point when waiting for the “right time” turns into never.Maybe you’ve been meaning to pivot to a more meaningful career path, but every time you try to shift gears, golden handcuffs or self-doubt pull you back. Maybe you’ve been longing to go after a leadership role, but imposter syndrome has held you back. Maybe you’ve always wanted to start your own business, but the steady paycheck or fear of instability kept you from taking the leap.Pursuing long-held dreams is rarely convenient, but reclaiming them can be an act of courage, alignment, and self-expression.I’ve been putting off my dream of writing a book for decades. First, I got derailed by my Hollywood career, then I wanted to wait for my kids to get older, then I needed to feel financially stable and then I needed to re-organize my book shelf.The truth is that underneath all the legitimate reasons and ridiculous excuses, I kept waiting to be more qualified. Until the hard truth hit me: conditions will never be perfect (and the stove will always need another cleaning) … and my dream will keep knocking until I either go for it or put it to rest forever.What Gets in the WayI know I’m not alone in this. A recent survey found that only 7% of U.S. workers say they’re in their “dream career.” That means 93% of us are not doing what we really want to be doing.So if you’re feeling stuck or like you’ve been sitting on a moonshot idea that hasn’t left the launch pad, you have a lot of company. Here’s why it’s hard:* The inner critic is having a field day and has invited all its friends to stop you in your tracks.* The process of going after your dream feels as opaque and confusing as getting out of one of those escape rooms everyone’s been trying.* You’re used to being the expert and becoming a beginner again makes your stomach and ego churn.* Your time is packed and your energy is stretched.* The fear of failure or “mucking up your life” makes your palms and pits sweat.These emotional and logistical hurdles are real and they’re surmountable.How To Get StartedIn physics, there’s a principle called wave-particle duality. In the simplest terms, it states that light behaves as both a particle and a wave. What that means for us is that two totally opposite states can and do coexist.On one hand we are filled with doubt, confusion, fear, stress, and uncertainty. On the other hand we are confident, clear, brave, resilient, and trusting. Through the power of the word “and” we connect these seemingly disparate experiences in order to take a first step.* The inner critic can be screaming in your face and you send an email.* The process feels opaque and confusing and you can ask someone for guidance.* You’re an expert who relies on the depth of your experience and you’re a beginner who asks smart questions.* Your time and energy are stretched and you reprioritize based on your values.* You fear mucking up your life and you trust that you can navigate challenges and course correct as needed.This is how going after your dream begins: in the tension between fear and courage, doubt and desire, hesitation and hope.My MoonshotSo with the power of “and”, I’m finally writing my book starting with a real book proposal (with sample chapters and all!) represented by the fabulous, smart publishing agent Jude Marwa at the very fancy Peters Fraser + Dunlop agency in London.This is what happened:* My inner gremlins told me I missed my window to learn how to write and I took writing classes.* The process of writing a proposal was absolutely overwhelming and I hired a book coach who gave me samples, read my early drafts and cheered me on.* I’m a former Executive Vice-President who has some very big wins under my belt and I asked a lot of “101” questions of my coach like what’s the difference between an overview and a summary?* My bandwidth was completely tapped and I rejiggered my workout schedule so I exercised at home instead of going to the gym. (Saved me about 4 hours per week!)* I was afraid I’d quit which I did at one point for about six weeks and I trusted that this was a natural part of the process. Also pretty much every writer I know has hit multiple blocks in their careers.Now I can tell the girl who I was at ten, who won an essay contest and who got her picture taken with the mayor of Darien, Illinois, that her dream of writing a book is coming true. One baby step at a time. Bird by bird. (If you haven’t read the Bird by Bird book by Anne LaMott, stop everything and get to your library. Big game changer.)What I’ve Learned So FarA few things I’ve learned as a bonus to the power of “and”:* Never wait until you’re ready. Know that taking that first step will feel like a belly flop, but you got in the pool! * Community matters more than willpower. Get support.* The fear doesn’t really go away, but our relationship with it can change. It’s like when I see a spider. When I was a kid, I would scream. Now I still get the heeby-jeebies, but I can walk on by.The Bottom LinePursuing a dream isn’t about having perfect timing, unshakable confidence, or unlimited bandwidth. It’s about making space for possibility in the midst of real life. The doubts won’t vanish. The dishes will still be in the sink. But if the dream keeps tugging at you, that means it still matters. And you get to begin. Not because you're finally “ready,” but because you're willing to hold the fear and the desire, the resistance and the hope… and take one step anyway.This space isn’t just about reading—it’s about growing. Join the Moonshot Mentor community of paid subscribers and receive journal prompts that help you reflect, process, and move forward with clarity.Journal PromptsHere are journal prompts for paid Moonshot Mentor subscribers. Whether your dream is bold and public or quiet and personal, these prompts can you begin.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comEveryone gets triggered.  It’s normal to have a strong emotional response to a situation that violates your values or reminds you of an upsetting time in your life. One of the best ways to manage them is to know your triggers so you trigger less frequently and process quicker.  That being said, you’ll never not be triggered. I know. It sucks. To give you a handle on tackling situations where you're triggered, let's dive into a recent run-in I had with my own perfectionism. This might shed some light on handling the "getting through it" part of managing triggers, especially since mine stretched out over a few days. And it involved a trip to CostCo that got me back on track again. Check out this week’s blog and podcast for more. 

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comDo you know someone who’s lost their groove and needs a little push to get it back? I would greatly appreciate it if you could kindly share this episode with them. 🙏If you’re resonating with what you’re hearing, please consider subscribing. What’s that mean?🙌🏾  Updates on offerings, free stuff, recommendations, referrals.🙌🏾  You’ll receive regular emails (with lots of heart and a bit of humor) that share a tool or insight from my coaching practice.🙌🏾  Typically the email will have a question at the end to provoke thought that supports you in your growth.

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com“I chose to leave. So why do I feel so sad?”It’s something I hear often from clients—people who walked away on their own terms. Retirement. A buyout. A planned exit.And yet… something feels off.  There’s a heaviness they didn’t expect. A version of themselves they miss.When a decision is logical, even strategic, it’s hard to make space for the grief that can still follow.  But that doesn’t mean the grief isn’t real.  And it doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice.This carousel explores why we can feel so much after leaving a role—even when it was our decision. If this speaks to you, I hope it helps you name what’s been quietly waiting to be acknowledged.