Explore every episode of the podcast The HR Pivot

In this episode, LaShaunique shares her insights on breaking into HR without relying on certifications, emphasizing the importance of experience, partnership, and effective communication. She debunks myths about certifications and offers practical advice for HR career pivots.

Ever set a number in a phone screen for an HR Role... and then found out mid-interview process that the role is worth way more than what you agreed to? Sis, you're not alone. In this episode, I'm answering a question I got recently from someone with 8 years of HR experience who stayed inside a recruiter's stated range ($60–65K) — only to realize after more research that she should've started in the 70s.

We're breaking down:

• Why the number you give in a phone screen becomes the benchmark the entire process anchors to
• The real risk of trying to "correct" your number mid-process (and why it can get you pulled from consideration)
• When and how to counteroffer the right way — and how big of a jump is actually reasonable
• Why leading with "I have X years of experience" during negotiation actually loses you money
• The 3X framework: how to position yourself as revenue, not an expense, so companies want to pay you more
• Why I'm not a fan of sticking inside a posted salary range — and what to say instead

If you've ever taken an offer that felt lowballed, you know the slow burn of regret that follows. This episode is about making sure that's not your story.

Ready to stop leaving money on the table?
Book a free 60-minute consultation call and let's map out your number — based on your background, your goals, and what it'll actually take to get you there, no guesswork.

Schedule time to speak with me here: https://airtable.com/appzCth1DVPXGHTix/pagGT2MCWXEbrEUVH/form

Most HR leaders didn't sign up to be the "hard conversation" person.

And even if you don't mind having difficult conversations, there really isn't a handbook to handle ALL the different types. The one who has to tell an employee something they don't want to hear. The one who has to push back on your boss. The one who has to hold the line with a business partner who's not seeing eye to eye with you.

And if you've been avoiding one of those conversations right now? I get it. Avoidance feels safer.

It's not. It's just delayed.

In this week's episode, I'm breaking down 5 strategies HR leaders need for difficult conversations — with employees, with your boss, business partners and even at home.

And I'm pulling back the curtain a little — sharing behind-the-scenes live training I've done with my own clients, both new and experienced HR leaders, on this exact topic.

You will hear us get into 5 fails I see HR leaders make over and over in these conversations — the ones that quietly make the hard moment even harder.

In this episode, Patrick Sutton shares insights on HR transformation in 2026, the impact of AI, managing burnout, and developing future-ready HR leaders. Discover practical strategies for leveraging AI, fostering creativity, and maintaining well-being in a rapidly evolving HR landscape.Want to work with me? DM me on Linkedin

You did the work to break into HR. And now you're the HR department of one — and somehow every day is just putting out fires and processing paperwork.

This is the trap. And more HR professionals fall into it than you think.

This week I'm sitting down with Danielle Shroyer, a 10-year HR of one expert, to talk about what it actually takes to stop being used reactively and start showing up as the strategic partner you came here to be.

Ready to pivot?

Schedule time: https://airtable.com/appzCth1DVPXGHTix/pagGT2MCWXEbrEUVH/form

Carla broke into HR from an operations background.

She had no previous HR experience/titles.

Listen to her story!

Schedule time to learn how you can pivot.

https://airtable.com/appzCth1DVPXGHTix/pagGT2MCWXEbrEUVH/form

I get this question a lot from pivoters. So let's talk about what it looks like to update your resume in 2026.

Ready to pivot in 90 days?

https://airtable.com/appzCth1DVPXGHTix/pagGT2MCWXEbrEUVH/form

Doors to HR Hired in 90 Days is Open! Join by June 10th to pivot in 2026.

Ryan was on the hamster wheel of landing so many interviews, making it to 12+ final rounds for HR roles in 6 months, but not being able to secure the offer. He moved to a new state with his funds dwindling and needed to land something asap!

Listen to how he is finally able to break the rejection cycle and land an HR role!

Join the upcoming FREE resume Masterclass on June 3, 2026 to learn how to articulate your value.

www.balangize.com/5in90resume

Getting a ton of interviews, but can't get past the first or second round for your dream HR role? Then this is the episode for you.

You are making 1 of 4 mistakes. You have the experience, but you need a different language. Because you have the experience they want you for interviews, but then once you get in there you can't articulate your value. You are using what I call 'apology energy' - this is where you are not confident in what you bring to the table and you are showing it.

Learn exactly whats keeping you from being fast tracked to the final round and how to fix it.

Want to make an interview that articulates your value - www.balangize.com/5in90resume

Join me on June 3, 2026

The FREE Resume Masterclass: www.balangize.com/5in90resume

There is one key trait of people who quickly land 5 interviews and those who don't. Listen to what you need to let go in order to get the HR interviews you have been wanting even if you are pivoting.

Free Resume Masterclass: www.balangize.com/5in90Resume

The 1 Resume to Land 5+ HR Interviews to Pivot in 90 Days

Without an HR Certification, Tailoring to Every Job Description, or Apologizing for Your Career Path

What You'll Learn:

• The 1 Resume Summary  that stops you from apologizing for your career path — so recruiters see your value in the first 6 seconds and you start landing interviews instead of instant rejections

• The 2 Bullet Types that replace certifications — so you prove you can DO the work without a PHR or SHRM-CP, and get fast-tracked for aligned roles paying what you're actually worth

• The 1 Skills Section that beats ATS — so ONE resume works for multiple HR roles, you stop wasting hours tailoring, and you land 5–10 interviews in the next 90 days

Join live for real-time resume feedback! Can't join live? Replay will be available.

Recruiters are viewing your profile and not calling. So you start spiraling — is it my picture? My name? should I just delete LinkedIn?

Let's be real: bias exists. But some of the moves you're making to protect yourself from it? They're the same moves keeping you stuck.

In this episode, I'm getting into the logic that doesn't logic, the audit most of you are skipping, and the self-sabotage nobody's talking about.

If you're tired of shrinking to fit a process that wasn't built for you — press play.

Free Masterclass: The 1 Resume to Land 5+ HR Interviews in 90 Days — Without an HR Certification, Tailoring to Every Job Description, or Apologizing for Your Career Path → www.balangize.com/5in90resume

June 3, 2026 at 4pm CST

In this episode, you'll learn why describing your background isn't the same as connecting it — and what hiring managers are actually listening for when they ask about your experience. You'll walk away knowing how to take anything you've done, in any industry, and translate it into language that makes a hiring manager think "this is exactly who we need."
If you keep getting interviews but can't convert them into offers, this episode is for you.

LaShaunique discusses how to assess real red flags in job opportunities, the pitfalls of faux flags, and how to ask the right questions during interviews to avoid toxic environments. She offers practical advice for high performers navigating today's job market.Stop getting rid of opportunities because of things that appear as red flags, but may not be.

Red flags, job interview, career assessment, hiring process, recruiter insights, workplace culture, job search tips, high performers, interview questions, career advice

If your networking strategy is producing 0 interviews, you willl want to listen to this episode.

I break down the most effective strategy so you get more referrals, more interviews and ultimately land an HR role in 90 days or less.

The concept of 'hateration' and its impact on career pivots

How external negativity affects mindset and decision-making

Strategies to build conviction and resilience during career transitions to pivot to your dream role.

If your resume isn't producing interviews, then you will need additional strategies to land more interviews in 2026.

Need to land more interviews asap? Join Primed to Pivot, a 90 day 1:1 program designed to help you pivot in 90 days!

Need More? Join my free resume masterclass on January 28, 2026. ⁠www.balangize.com/hrpivotresume

Ready to Pivot? Schedule a consultation call

If I needed to land an HR interview in a week — and I didn’t have the “exact” experience — I would not try to match myself to the job description.

I would do the opposite.

I would build my resume and my stories around the exact words my managers have used about me.

For example, a job description might say:

“Brings hands-on expertise in employee relations, talent development, recruiting, learning & development, ethics, and people operations.”

Most people copy that language and try to prove they’ve done all of it.

But what actually gets you hired is this:

“Known for being an expert in process improvement especially for the most challenging and long-time unresolved problems including a Multimillion dollar tax discrepancy from a client"

That sentence carries more weight than every bullet in that job description combined.

Listen to how I break this myth down. It sounds very logical, but its an oversimplification of what people actually mean.

Need More? Join my free resume masterclass on January 28, 2026. www.balangize.com/hrpivotresume

You are sending LinkedIn messages ALL the time because you know you need to network to land interviews in 2026

But ZERO responses - Crickets is like Wheeettt?!?!

The #1 reason this happens is very clear

I break down what that is and how you can fix it.

And how my clients have landed interviews from networking on LinkedIn or otherwise.

Join the HR Pivot Resume Masterclass and learn how to pivot into the HR role you want with a pay increase — even without “exact” experience.
This is how you get interviews in as little as a week.

📅 Wednesday, January 28 at 4:30pm CST — Live

Secure your seat here: https://www.balangize.com/hrpivotresume

What happens after the masterclass? You will be invited to join the #1 program, Primed to Pivot, that helps you pivot to an HR role of your dreams with a pay increase in 90 days or less.

Everyone talks about SMART goals and words of the year, but those are only ways to get motivated, but not how to MOVE through the hard parts of completing a goal.

Here is the strategy I have been using for years! That I apply to career and business that you need to know.

Need to land an HR role in 90 days or less w/o exact experience? Join Primed to Pivot

I’m sharing my biggest fail of 2025 on this week’s podcast.

It’s a story about a professional connection I thought was solid… and how quickly things went sideways.

The fail? Let’s just say it involved me, a blocked message, and a hard lesson about how we handle rejection.

Don't miss out how I unpack what happened, what it taught me about emotional discipline, and why navigating these moments well is the real secret to career growth.

In this episode, we uncover why feeling underpaid and undervalued in HR can actually create a self-reinforcing cycle — keeping you from earning what you deserve and being recognized for your work.

We dive into:

• Subtle signs you are likely ignoring that is impacting your ability to grow in your career

• Brain fog and how it directly affects your ability to earn more

• “Good habits” you may be overusing that are actually holding you back

Learn how to identify the hidden patterns that keep HR professionals underpaid and undervalued — and practical steps to break the cycle.

Join us November 17 & 18 for the FREE HR Mentorship Summit, where you’ll learn Financial Stress Management — one of the most critical power skills for HR professionals. Gain practical strategies to reduce financial overwhelm, boost your earning potential, and stop the cycle of being underpaid and undervalued.

👉 Reserve your spot today: www.balanagize.com/mentorshipsummit

Ready to level up your HR career with mentorship? Book a consultation call to see how you can grow and develop.

⁠https://hello.dubsado.com/public/appointment-scheduler/65b0a82e058ee6bceb9bc341/schedule

In HR, we’re taught that great storytelling means tailoring our message to the audience — but what if that advice can actually backfire?

In this episode, Matthew breaks down why focusing too much on your audience can dilute your authenticity, weaken your influence, and make your message less effective. You’ll learn how to balance strategy with sincerity so your stories actually connect, inspire change, and drive results.

🎙️ On November 17 & 18, join us as we dive deeper into the Power Skill every HR professional needs to master — storytelling at the Free HR Mentorship Summit. Learn how to use stories to influence, inspire, and lead more effectively in your organization (and that’s just the beginning).

✨ Plus, explore other essential leadership and communication skills that will elevate your HR impact in 2025.

👉 For the full event details and to register, visit www.balanagize.com/mentorshipsummit

Ready to level up your HR career with mentorship? Book a consultation call to see how you can grow and develop.

https://hello.dubsado.com/public/appointment-scheduler/65b0a82e058ee6bceb9bc341/schedule

Significant growth in your paycheck (10-20%) is the dream most are looking for in this economy.

When you want to make such a big leap (outside of the average of 3-8%) you need some real inertia in your approach to your career. That's why most of look for mentorship. Because we know mentorship can propel us forward.

BUT not all mentorship leads to growth.

In my latest episode, I break down the 4 types of “good” mentors who might be keeping you comfortable… but not helping you move forward.

Because good mentorship gives you motivation.Great mentorship gives you momentum.

You’ll learn what separates good mentorship from great mentorship — and how to recognize when it’s time to level up your support system.

P.S. Join the FREE HR Mentorship Summit on November 17 & 18 to experience the mentorship you wish you had sooner.

Secure your seat here --> ​www.balangize.com/mentorshipsummit​

P.P.S. Grow Your Career and Exceed Expectations in 6 MonthsMy 6-month 1:1 Leadership & HR Mentorship Coaching program is designed to help you exceed your mid-year or year-end review—and position yourself for a 10–20% salary increase by mastering the skills that get leaders promoted.

Book a call here to learn how you can grow your impact, paycheck and role through mentorship--> https://hello.dubsado.com/public/appointment-scheduler/65b0a82e058ee6bceb9bc341/schedule

Finally get the HR Mentorship you have been looking for to grow your career: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/appointment-scheduler/65b0a82e058ee6bceb9bc341/schedule

You ever had a mentor you thought would change your career… and instead, you ended up stuck, second-guessing yourself, or realizing you outgrew their advice?

That’s exactly what I’m breaking down in this week’s podcast episode — 3 Times HR Mentorship Failed Me (and What I Did About It).

I’m sharing the moments I learned the hard way that:

• Not all “expert” advice applies to your career goals

• Your manager might not be the best mentor for your growth

• One mentor is never enough

If you’ve ever wondered why mentorship hasn’t moved the needle for you, this one’s going to hit home.

🎧 Listen to the episode now — and then join me at the HR Mentorship Summit on Nov 10 to learn how to build the kind of mentorship relationships that actually grow your career (without the mistakes I made).

One of the fastest ways to stop getting ghosted?
Stop relying only on applications.

Applying should only be 25% of your job search strategy.
Another 25%? Building and expanding your network — intentionally.

That’s exactly what my client Baridilo did.
She went from being ghosted for nearly a year…
to landing a new HR role with a $15K salary increase while pivoting industries and HR roles.

Join the upcoming Masterclass: The HR Pivot Resume

⁠www.balangize.com/hrpivotresume⁠

Finally land a job that makes you feel more secure!

Book a free consultation call to learn how you can pivot in 90 days: ⁠https://hello.dubsado.com/public/appointment-scheduler/65b0a82e058ee6bceb9bc341/schedule

Join the upcoming Masterclass: The HR Pivot Resume

www.balangize.com/hrpivotresume

Finally land a job that makes you feel more secure!

Book a free consultation call to learn how you can pivot in 90 days: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/appointment-scheduler/65b0a82e058ee6bceb9bc341/schedule

Join the "HR Pivot Resume Masterclass" --> www.balangize.com/HRPivotResume

Ready to Join Primed to Pivot? Schedule a consultation call

www.balangize.com

Join the HR Pivot Resume Masterclass at www.balangize.com/hrpivotresume

Book a consultation call for Primed to Pivot or HR Mentorship at: ⁠⁠https://www.balangize.com/

Follow Daniel on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-prince-tate-shrm-cp-48736b14a/

Listen to his Podcast: The Transparent HR

Schedule time with me to discuss your pivot dreams and how you can make them a reality! ⁠https://hello.dubsado.com/public/appointment-scheduler/65b0a82e058ee6bceb9bc341/schedule

Ready to pivot in 90 days or less?

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.balangize.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠for more resources or to book a sales call. Join my⁠ newsletter⁠ to get actionable ways to pivot weekly to your inbox

Schedule your consultation call

https://hello.dubsado.com:443/public/appointment-scheduler/65b0a82e058ee6bceb9bc341/schedule

Schedule a Consultation call: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/appointment-scheduler/65b0a82e058ee6bceb9bc341/schedule

If you book a consultation call by Saturday, July 19th, and you decide to join the Primed to Pivot program, you’ll unlock a powerful

BONUS TRAINING:

In this bonus training, you’ll get:

• What most certifications leave out (that you actually need to excel in HR)
• The Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Your First 6 Months
• 20+ Resources Every HR Pro Needs — No Matter the Role
• How to Navigate the Unknown Parts of HR Using the Skills You Already Have
• Steps to Position Yourself for a 10–20% Salary Increase in Your First Year

This is the resource I wish I had before I ever touched an HR certification. It’s designed to fast-track your success — whether you're brand new to HR or a seasoned pro making a pivot.

➡ Book your consultation call by Saturday to qualify for the bonus

The HR Pivot Certification Crash Course​
Value = the entire cost of an actual HR certification, but this will help you succeed

Book a consultation call for Primed to Pivot at: ⁠https://www.balangize.com/

Can you really land an HR role in this market—in just 90 days?

Leyda wasn’t so sure either. She questioned whether her experience would even translate into HR.

But fast forward 90 days, and she was fielding recruiter calls, landing interviews for six-figure roles, and ultimately accepting a dream position with a $50,000 salary increase. She did all this while being in school!

Book a consultation call for Primed to Pivot at: https://www.balangize.com/

Jessica was stuck wondering, “How can I pivot when my last role wasn’t even the one I want next?”
She knew she wanted to move into an industry that felt more exciting—something that blended her full range of interests. But the job descriptions were intimidating: they all asked for a certification she didn’t have.

To make things more complicated, she was also navigating a messy organizational change at work—full of uncertainty and internal interviews that went nowhere.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Jessica:

• Landed interviews at 13 different companies across several industries

• Built credibility without a certification

• Moved past the fear of not having “the perfect background”

• Positioned herself powerfully, even while things were crumbling at work

If you’ve ever felt boxed in by your resume or unsure how to pivot when nothing aligns perfectly—this episode is for you.

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.balangize.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠for more resources or to book a sales call. Join my⁠ newsletter⁠ to get actionable ways to pivot weekly to your inbox

Follow me on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/plummerl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the HR Pivot Resume Masterclass on July 17 at 4pm CST

https://www.balangize.com/hrpivotresume

Ready to pivot in 90 days or less?

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.balangize.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠for more resources or to book a sales call. Join my⁠ newsletter⁠ to get actionable ways to pivot weekly to your inbox

Follow me on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/plummerl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the HR Pivot Resume MasterclassPivot in 30 days like Shaneeta

Shaneeta is a mom of three—including a one-year-old—who was ready to stop putting herself on the back burner. After feeling like she bombed a past interview, she knew something had to change. She dreamed of a role that allowed her to take vacations and create new memories with her family.

She already had a polished resume and a standout LinkedIn profile—but interviews left her feeling disconnected, second-guessing herself, and wondering if she’d ever land a role in Learning & Development.

She already had resources like therapy, but we worked on the missing pieces and she landed a great high paying, remote, HR role as an individual contributor.

Need help to pick the right titles and land your next role? https://hello.dubsado.com/public/appointment-scheduler/65b0a82e058ee6bceb9bc341/schedule

• Understanding HR titles is crucial for career pivoting.
• There are multiple paths in HR, including generalist and specialist roles.
• Job descriptions can be misleading and should be approached with caution.

Join the Resume Masterclass on July 17 4pm CST.

https://www.balangize.com/hrpivotresume

What if all of your experiences were relevant to HR? You just need a proven way to directly relate.

Join the Resume Masterclass

https://www.balangize.com/hrpivotresume

What You'll Learn:

• How to translate your experience into bullet points that shows 6-figure transferable skills

• The missing pieces of your resume that will guarantee to land interviews in a week

• How to make a stand out resume compared to other candidates and to easily get past AI

…without having exact experience, an HR degree or a certification

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.balangize.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠for more resources or to book a sales call. Join my⁠ newsletter⁠ to get actionable ways to pivot weekly to your inbox

Follow me on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/plummerl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.balangize.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠for more resources or to book a sales call. Join my⁠ newsletter⁠ to get actionable ways to pivot weekly to your inbox

Follow me on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/plummerl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.balangize.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠for more resources or to book a sales call. Follow me on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/plummerl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my⁠ newsletter⁠ to get actionable ways to pivot weekly to your inbox

Connect with Tessa! Link to FREE Career Strategy Guide: https://www.tessagrashuisagency.com/careerstrategyguidebook
Book a call link: https://tinyurl.com/tgaclaritycall
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessagrashuis/------------

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.balangize.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠for more resources including my weekly newsletter where you get real strategies or to book a sales call.

Follow me on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/plummerl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.balangize.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠for more resources or to book a sales call. Follow me on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/plummerl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my⁠ newsletter⁠ to get actionable ways to pivot weekly to your inbox