Steven McGrath, Product Experience Manager at Poetry, kicks off his recruiting story far from the tech world—scrubbing bathrooms at 13 and cycling uphill to wash dishes and walk dogs in rural Scotland. From Canada’s hot tub scene to oil and gas recruitment back home, Steve shares how his unconventional path gave him an empathy-first view of hiring. In this episode, he tells Mike how he went from paper résumés to revolutionizing recruiter productivity with Poetry. Along the way, Steve opens up about staying human in an AI-powered world, why recruiters deserve better tools, and how being “too nice” can actually be your greatest strength. Highlights Include: Manual labor in Canada and how immigration laws changed his life Recruiting in pre-LinkedIn days using paper files and intuition Giving free résumé help to overlooked candidates How Poetry is giving recruiters their time (and sanity) back What makes Scottish OnlyFans truly unforgettable 📍 Connect with Steven on LinkedIn and visit poetryhr.com to learn more.

Before launching Fama, one of the most innovative companies in talent screening, Ben Mones was hustling on the Nordstrom sales floor selling women’s shoes. In this episode, Ben joins host Mike Wood to reflect on lessons from retail, grilling whole hogs, and the early mistakes that inspired him to build a company around online behavioral screening. Ben opens up about his entrepreneurial roots, the experience that made him realize social media should be part of background checks, and how Fama helps companies hire smarter while staying compliant. He also dishes on AI’s impact on hiring, Gen Z’s digital footprint, and why good judgment still beats a great résumé. Key Moments: Selling Uggs and learning upsell tactics at 18 Running a barbecue business inspired by his dad, a former pork cook-off champ The turning point that led to founding Fama How to responsibly screen online behavior during hiring What the future of work looks like in the age of AI 📍 Learn more at Fama.io or find Ben on LinkedIn.

On this episode of My First Job, host Mike Wood talks with Tom Horne, Director of Partnerships at Hari, about his initial foray into the working world: landscaping for a tough neighbor. Tom shares how that challenging first job, along with a subsequent lifeguarding role, instilled crucial lessons in efficiency, hard work, communication, and taking responsibility, which have shaped his career path. The conversation moves to Tom's current role in HR tech, the current state of the job market dynamic, and the potential impact of AI, highlighting how prioritizing skills and using AI to offload tasks can free up time for professional growth.

Join host Mike Wood as he chats with Ariana Hillis about her diverse and entrepreneurial career path on "My First Job." Ariana shares how her actual first job, starting at age 15 as an Administrative Assistant for the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce (a role she took to save for her first car!), ignited a passion for the business world. Follow her journey from that early office experience and a surprisingly lucrative tanning salon gig, through building a successful real estate career, founding multiple companies including an event planning business and an e-commerce venture, to her current role. Today, inspired by her own experiences, Ariana is the founder of Shoshana's Daughter, providing crucial coaching and consulting to support parents and employers navigating the complexities of parental leave and reintegration into the workforce.

In this episode of "My First Job", host Mike Wood speaks with T. Tara Turk-Haynes, the founder and consultant for Equity Activations. Turk-Haynes shares the unconventional story of her very first job counting money for her father’s business, which was not your typical job but certainly taught her valuable skills. She recounts how this early experience, along with her journey through nonprofit theater, PBS, and corporate roles, ultimately led her to her current position in helping companies embed equitable actions into their operations for a stronger future.

In this episode of My First Job, host Mike Wood sits down with Daniel Chait, the CEO of Greenhouse, to discuss his career journey, starting with his first job as a programmer at a small software company right after engineering school. Daniel shares how his early entrepreneurial experiences and technical background shaped his understanding of business and the critical importance of hiring. The conversation delves into the origins of Greenhouse, born from the insight that many companies struggle with hiring despite it being a top priority. Daniel explains Greenhouse's mission to help companies become great at hiring by implementing proven best practices and improving the job seeker experience, particularly in today's challenging and often overwhelming job market.

In this episode of My First Job, host Mike Wood speaks with Ben Hanna, the founder of Custom Camps, about his winding career path. Ben recounts his very first job making ice cream at the age of 14 and how that early experience shaped his work ethic and people skills. From scooping ice cream, Ben's journey led him through travels around the world with couchsurfing.com and into the tech startup scene before he ultimately created Custom Camps, a company dedicated to bringing corporate teams together through unique, nature-based experiences. Ben discusses the importance of in-person connections and experiential learning in today's tech-driven world, highlighting how Custom Camps provides a refreshing and engaging alternative to traditional corporate events and online engagement platforms.

In this episode of My First Job, host Mike Wood interviews Jocelyn King, CEO and founder of Virtual HR. Jocelyn recounts her eventful first job in HR at a large retail company, where she navigated high-risk employee relations issues and learned crucial leadership and communication skills. This foundational experience, coupled with her later roles in tech HR, ultimately led her to establish Virtual HR, a company revolutionizing employment and labor law compliance with technology. Tune in to hear Jocelyn's insightful journey and her perspective on the evolving landscape of HR and recruitment.

In this episode of “My First Job,” host Mike Wood chats with Kevin Grossman about his very first job: a paper route. Kevin shares humorous and insightful anecdotes about the challenges and surprising lessons he learned as a young paperboy, from navigating tricky bike routes with a heavy bag to the daunting task of collecting payments from customers. He reflects on how this early experience, though sometimes scary and uncomfortable, shaped his resilience and ability to handle difficult situations, skills that have undoubtedly served him well in his extensive career in HR and candidate experience.

In this episode of "My First Job," host Mike Wood welcomes Michael O'Sullivan to discuss his career journey, starting with his surprisingly enduring first job as a baseball umpire, which he began at the age of 10 and continues to this day. Michael shares how umpiring taught him invaluable skills in decision-making, people management, and time management, and how he initially monetized his love for baseball. He recounts his experiences moving from warehouse work to sales roles at companies like Tribune and Career Builder, and ultimately landing in his current role as Director of Strategic Partnerships at Disability Solutions. Michael passionately discusses his work in promoting disability inclusion, driven by his own personal experiences and a desire to break down barriers for individuals with disabilities in the workforce.

In this episode of "My First Job," host Mike Wood welcomes Joel Lalgee, the "Realist Recruiter" and TikTok influencer, to share the surprising story of his early work experiences. Joel recounts his truly eye-opening first jobs, from illegal cash-in-hand demo work for a slum landlord in his teens to serving up complex coffee orders as a Starbucks barista. They trace his journey from finance to recruiting, and how he eventually embraced social media to become a prominent voice in the industry. Joel also dives into the current challenges facing recruiters, emphasizing the importance of authentic human connection and genuine relationships in a world increasingly saturated with AI and automated outreach. Tune in for a candid and insightful conversation about career evolution, the value of early work experiences (no matter how rough!), and the evolving landscape of talent acquisition.

Join Mike Wood in San Diego at TA Week as he chats with Adam Posner about his truly unique first job as a photographer's assistant, complete with tuxedo attire, film cartridges, and learning to navigate stressful wedding day dynamics. Adam shares hilarious and insightful lessons from his early days holding the flash, before diving into his career journey into recruiting and his current perspective on the chaotic hiring landscape. Listen in as Adam and Mike discuss the "white collar recession," the rise of AI in job applications, and the importance of self-awareness and strategic career pivots in today's competitive market. Plus, you'll even get a pro-tip for holding napkins and forks at networking events!

Join Mike Wood in a special in-person episode from TA Week in San Diego as he chats with Keirsten Greggs of Trapper Cruder. Keirsten shares her surprising first job involving persuasive (and often unwelcome) telephone surveys and how that early experience built resilience and shaped her career. They delve into Keirsten's journey into recruiting "by mistake," her years in corporate, and the realities of today's tough job market, offering insights for recruiters and job seekers alike. Plus, they discuss navigating the complexities of defense contracting and the challenges of candidate experience in an increasingly tech-driven world.

Discover the unconventional journey of Sean Luitjens, from washing dishes at the Elks Club to becoming a leading voice in HR tech. In this episode of My First Job, Sean shares how the customer service and time management skills he honed in the restaurant industry laid the foundation for his success. Hear about his serendipitous entry into HR at Monster, his passion for fixing and building, and his take on the transformative power of AI in today's HR tech landscape. Plus, get valuable advice for navigating your own career path and staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

In this episode, Mike welcomes Kara Mignanelli, the leader of TA Week, ahead of the upcoming event in San Diego. They discuss the significance of TA Week, insights into talent acquisition trends, and what attendees can expect. Whether you're in HR, recruiting, or just curious about the industry, this episode provides valuable perspectives from a key figure in the field. Tune in to get the inside scoop before the big event!

In this episode of My First Job host Mike Wood sits down with Allie Wehlink and talks about her journey from working at a pizza parlor to her career as an applied industrial-organizational psychologist, leading the selection and assessment strategy at Splunk. In their conversation, they discuss her career journey, the challenges of talent acquisition, and insights into hiring best practices. Tune in to hear how Allie got her start and what she has learned along the way in shaping effective workforce strategies.

This episode of My First Job, hosted by Mike Wood, features an engaging conversation with Jeff Taylor, the founder of Monster.com, a groundbreaking platform in the online recruiting industry. The discussion delves into Jeff’s entrepreneurial journey, the origins of Monster.com, and its impact on the HR and recruiting space. Jeff shares insights about his early career, the challenges and milestones of building a transformative business, and his perspective on the evolution of the industry. This inspiring episode offers listeners a closer look at the mind behind one of the most influential innovations in recruitment.

In this episode of 'My First Job,' host Mike Wood welcomes a special guest: a former colleague from WorkHuman with a fascinating career journey. Often referred to as the 'Forrest Gump' of the HR tech world for their diverse professional experiences, the guest shares stories from their varied roles and insights from years in the industry. Tune in to hear how they got started, navigated their unique path, and made an impact along the way. Only on the Purple Acorn Network.

In this episode of My First Job, host Mike Wood sits down with Laurie Ruettimann, a trailblazer in the HR Tech space and the dynamic force behind Punk Rock HR. From her multifaceted career to her unique insights on workplace culture, Laurie shares her journey of reinvention, humor, and resilience. Tune in for an engaging conversation about professional growth, identity, and lessons learned from the frontlines of HR. Brought to you by the Purple Acorn Network, this episode is packed with inspiration and wisdom for career enthusiasts and beyond.

In this inspirational episode of My First Job, Mike Wood sits down with the amazing Elena Valentine to details her journey going from performing in a T-Rex costume to community leader and a voice for empowering workers. It's an amazing episode, don't miss it.