"Youâre not stuckâyouâre just scared to take up space."
In this episode of The Counter Offer, host Susanna Gray is joined by her co-host for the season, recruiter-turned-career-coach Tiarna Mccormack. Tiarna brings sharp insight into the job search process, why women especially struggle to own their stories, and what it really takes to move your career forward. They dig into the unspoken power dynamics between recruiters and candidates, how burnout fuels bad decisions, and why quiet quitting might not be the answer you're looking for.
If youâve ever felt invisible in your career or doubted your next move, this episode will give you the mindset reset you didnât know you needed.
Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments
From Recruiter to Coach â Tiarna shares her transition from the recruitment world to career coaching, explaining how personal burnout and professional misalignment led her to find deeper meaning in helping people unlock clarity and confidence.
The Power of Owning Your Story â The conversation dives into why so many peopleâespecially womenâstruggle to articulate their worth and how career coaching can help shift those narratives.
Quiet Quitting: A Symptom, Not a Solution â Tiarna breaks down why quiet quitting is a red flag for deeper disengagement and how it can be an opportunity to reflect and pivot before you fully burn out.
Recruiter Red Flags â Susanna and Tiarna expose what candidates often miss when dealing with recruiters and how to spot the signs that a roleâor a recruiterâisnât aligned with your values.
- Job Search Mindset Reset â They unpack why desperation in a job search backfires and how reframing the process around curiosity and ownership leads to better long-term outcomes.
Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode
âWhen people come to me, they think the problem is their rĂ©sumĂ©âbut itâs really their relationship to their career.â â Tiarna Mccormack
âYouâre not stuckâyouâre just scared to take up space.â â Tiarna Mccormack
âQuiet quitting is a coping mechanism for something much deeper.â â Tiarna Mccormack
âOwning your story is about reclaiming your career narrative before someone else writes it for you.â â Tiarna Mccormack
âIf a recruiter makes you feel small, thatâs a massive red flag.â â Tiarna Mccormack
âMost of the time, people already know what they wantâthey just need permission to want it.â â Tiarna Mccormack
âWhen youâre desperate in a job search, you show up differentlyâand you attract the wrong opportunities.â â Susanna Gray
âYour self-worth should not be tied to your job title.â â Tiarna Mccormack
âWeâre not meant to stay in the same role for 5, 10, 15 years and feel nothing.â â Tiarna Mccormack
- âClarity in your career isnât found in a spreadsheetâitâs found in your story.â â Susanna Gray
About Tiarna Mccormack
Tiarna Mccormack is a recruitment professional with over 10 years of experience, specializing in connecting senior talent with recruitment agencies. She has held key roles, including Director, Associate Partner, and Regional Director, across sectors such as HR, Technology, Life Sciences, and Accountancy & Finance. Tiarna focuses on executive search, interim solutions, and talent acquisition while helping senior professionals achieve their career goals.
Her approach centers on building strong relationships, emphasizing the importance of communication and trust in recruitment. Tiarna is also committed to coaching and mentoring, supporting individuals in unlocking their potential and advancing their careers.
Outside of work, Tiarna enjoys traveling, yoga, and spending time with friends over a glass of wine. She believes in fostering meaningful connections and creating opportunities for others. For senior-level recruitment support or career advice, Tiarna is an experienced and trusted partner to collaborate with.
Connect with Tiarna Mccormack
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