“What do you do?”

It sounds like a simple question, but the way we answer it can have a huge impact on how other people understand our value.

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we're joined by Kristine Delano, a financial services consultant, Board Member for Women in ETFs and fiction writer who has made storytelling a central part of her post-corporate career.

Kristine shares, through a number of fascinating career stories, how candidates and employees can use storytelling to represent themselves more effectively, from interviews to conversations with senior stakeholders.

We also explore the power of listening, and how it can help you absorb feedback, improve your performance, and build stronger relationships at work.

This episode will help you to unlock a skill that is valuable across any stage of your career.

Covered in this episode:

• 0:00 – Intro
• 0:56 – How candidates and employees can use storytelling to represent themselves better.
• 7:42 – How to talk about what you do in a way that conveys your true value.
• 11:02 – The 3 points to include when building your story.
• 13:27 – Finding the right balance when presenting your story.
• 17:02 – The transformative value of listening.
• 22:30 – How listening can help you collect and retain valuable feedback.

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70

Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/

Kristine Delano on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinedelano/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

The labor market is always changing, but those changes aren’t affecting every generation in the same way.

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we're joined by Ben Zweig, CEO of Revelio Labs and a PhD economist who regularly appears on CNBC and Bloomberg News to discuss trends shaping careers and hiring.

We explore the three key factors that seem to be causing younger professionals to struggle more in today's labor market, which areas of financial services are being most impacted by AI, and what is happening to wages and hiring demand.

We also discuss why the language used in job descriptions and resumes matters more than candidates might realize.

This is a fascinating look at what's really happening within the labor market and what it could mean for the next generation of finance professionals.

Covered in this episode:

• 0:00 – Intro
• 0:58 – Why are younger professionals struggling in today's labor market?
• 4:44 – Which sectors are most impacted by AI?
• 9:59 – Are wages going up or down?
• 11:43 – Why is it taking firms so long to fill roles?
• 15:35 – Why taxonomy matters when looking for the right role.
• 18:36 – How using the right words can strengthen your resume and application.
• 21:47 – Are you relying too heavily on AI?

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70

Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/

Ben Zweig on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-zweig/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

Compensation is one of the leading motivators when it comes to making a career decision.

And in 2026, most sectors across financial services are compensating talent very well.

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we're joined by Bryan Liou and Chris Connors, Managing Directors at Johnson Associates, a compensation consulting firm specializing in financial services.

We explore the biggest compensation trends shaping the industry. We discuss which verticals of financial services are compensating better than others, and how firms are using compensation and incentives to attract and retain talent.

We also discuss the growing competition for elite talent between financial services firms and AI companies and what candidates need to do to position themselves for the most lucrative opportunities.

If you want to understand where the biggest compensation opportunities are in financial services today, and how you can make the most of them, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Covered in this episode:

• 0:00 – Intro
• 0:45 – Why strong earnings don't always mean headcount growth.
• 3:08 – Why financial services firms are operating leaner in 2026.
• 8:08 – The biggest compensation trends across financial services.
• 11:40 – Which sectors aren't performing as well?
• 14:21 – Carry vs. cash and how compensation structures are changing.
• 16:46 – How financial services firms are competing for elite tech talent.
• 20:37 – What is driving candidates toward the new generation of AI companies?
• 23:50 – How much are firms willing to spend to retain top talent?
• 27:04 – The competition between hedge funds and AI firms for the best talent.
• 29:00 – The current state of non-competes.
• 30:43 – What allows candidates to stand out and take advantage of today's lucrative compensation opportunities?

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Johnson Associates - https://johnsonassociates.com/

Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70

Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/

Chris Connors on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-connors-272008125/

Bryan Liou on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-liou-673605302/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw