The first 90 days in a new job are important, and today we are going to discuss the ‘ownership’ phase…which usually happens between days 60 and 90.

This phase happens once you have learned the basics. You have found your footing. And hopefully, you have stopped feeling like the brand-new person in the room.

The next question should be: what now?

• How do you move from simply doing the job to shaping your role in a way that supports your future?
• When do you speak up? And how do you do it without sounding like you are trying too hard?
• How do you show initiative in the new job without stepping on anyone’s toes?
• And how do you make sure the work you are doing now is building toward the career you actually want?

In this second part of our roundtable on the first 90 days of a new job (listen to part 1 here), our team digs deeply into that next phase. We talk about ownership, visibility, and the quiet confidence that comes from understanding your value and knowing how to communicate it. We also talk about the trickiest parts of starting strong: learning to advocate for yourself while remaining thoughtful, curious, and collaborative.

This conversation isn’t about having all the answers on day one. It is about learning how to ask better questions. It is also about noticing what isn’t working. And lastly, it is about how to position yourself as someone who isn’t just getting through the job…but growing through it.

Listen to Secrets of a CRA Recruiter on Your Favorite Channel! 

The post Roundtable: New Job? What Happens After You Prove You Belong appeared first on craresources.

Are You Settling In or Setting Yourself Up?

Starting a new job can feel exciting, a little intimidating, and if we are being honest, a bit like you are trying not to trip in front of everybody. You have the laptop, the logins, the introductions, and the strong desire to do a good job. But somewhere between being “the new person” and trying to prove yourself, a lot of professionals slip into a dangerous little habit called settling in during their first 90 days in a new role.

That is exactly what we unpack in the first part of our roundtable conversation, outlining an effective 30-60-90 day onboarding plan.

In this discussion, our recruitment team talks candidly about why the first 90 days in a new role matter so much, and why being too quiet or too busy can work against you faster than you might think. We explore what hiring managers are really watching for, why silence can raise questions, and how the early days of a new job are not just about proving that you got the offer, but showing you are ready to grow into the role.

The conversation also gets into the importance of asking questions, learning the culture, and understanding how a company really works before assuming you already know the playbook. Because let’s be real, every workplace has its own language, pace, and unspoken rules.

If you have ever wondered how to start strong without overdoing it, this episode is for you. Listen in and hear what our team has to say about making your first 90 days count.

Listen to Secrets of a CRA Recruiter on Your Favorite Channel! 

The post Roundtable: First 90 Days in a New Role… appeared first on craresources.

Part 2 of our LinkedIn “other section” roundtable dives deeper into the profile sections most job seekers skip entirely. What if your LinkedIn Skills list is quietly confusing recruiters and LinkedIn’s algorithm? Or what if I told you that properly leveraging your Publications section could pull hiring managers straight to your inbox?

Our team gets real about why a laundry list of 50+ random LinkedIn skills screams “jack of all trades, master of none.” We take you through why it is important to pin the top 3 that match your target roles and keep the rest tight, describing two to three clear expertise lanes only.

Oh, and have you ever wondered why endorsements from people who have never seen your work don’t positively impact your impressions or LinkedIn traffic? We break down what actually builds credibility with your skills section.

Then we dive into Publications. This LinkedIn section is an underused gem that screams authority. Why do hiring managers love seeing conference talks, articles, or ResearchGate papers right on your profile? Alternatively, what happens when you make recruiters dig for your proof instead of serving it up? In clinical research, especially, this section turns “I have done trials” into “Here is exactly what I have accomplished.”

We wrap with the “add section” button recruiters wish you would use more: Projects, Volunteer, Honors & Awards, and Languages. But there is a catch to overusing (or misusing) LinkedIn’s features…and we discuss it during this roundtable.

Listen to Part 2 now and spot what’s holding your LinkedIn back.

Listen to Secrets of a CRA Recruiter on Your Favorite Channel! 

Related Blog Posts:

• Roundtable: How “Hidden” LinkedIn Sections Can Win the Interview
• Roundtable: How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Experience Section
• Roundtable: LinkedIn About Section Examples
• Roundtable: LinkedIn Posts for Job Seekers
• Roundtable: Why Your LinkedIn Headline Matters
• Roundtable: Job Seeker LinkedIn Banner Crimes
• What is LinkedIn’s Search Algorithm Looking for?
• Why Other Job Seekers Are Landing Jobs on LinkedIn (and How You Can, Too)

The post Roundtable: LinkedIn Skills and Publication Sections appeared first on craresources.

Most job seekers obsess over their LinkedIn headline and About section, but then quietly ignore everything else. Yet these “other” LinkedIn sections are often where recruiters find the proof they need to move you from “maybe” to “must-interview”.

In this new roundtable episode, our recruiting team wraps up our LinkedIn optimization series by zooming in on the parts of your profile that rarely get talked about: Featured, Recommendations, Licenses & Certifications, and Education. These aren’t just nice-to-have add-ons. Used well, they can better tell your story, attract both bots and humans, and make you stand out in a crowded, employer-driven market.

We start with the Featured section: your “proof of impact gallery” and trailer to your About. Most people use this section as a random dump of old posts. But it is perfect for case studies, portfolios, and 3–6 high-impact wins.

From there, we shift to Recommendations: how to ask for them without awkwardness, who to target (managers, peers, clients), and why “great team player” comments land like describing a golden retriever.

Next up are Licenses & Certifications vs. Education, where we share real recruiting-trench stories. Unclear degrees or fuzzy certification dates don’t just raise eyebrows; they delay submissions and cost interviews. The fix? Keep them accurate, separated, and up-to-date, especially when clients demand specific credentials.

Our goal is simple: show why these “hidden” sections matter. This episode will change how you think about completing your profile.

Listen to Part 1 now and audit these sections on your own LinkedIn with fresh eyes.

Listen to Secrets of a CRA Recruiter on Your Favorite Channel! 

Related Blog Posts:

• Roundtable: How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Experience Section
• Roundtable: LinkedIn About Section Examples
• Roundtable: LinkedIn Posts for Job Seekers
• Roundtable: Why Your LinkedIn Headline Matters
• Roundtable: Job Seeker LinkedIn Banner Crimes
• What is LinkedIn’s Search Algorithm Looking for?
• Why Other Job Seekers Are Landing Jobs on LinkedIn (and How You Can, Too)

The post Roundtable: How “Hidden” LinkedIn Sections Can Win the Interview appeared first on craresources.

Most job seekers treat the LinkedIn Experience section like a form to fill out: titles, dates, and a few “responsible for…” bullets. But what if that section is actually one of the most powerful levers you have for both the machine and the humans deciding your next opportunity?

In our latest roundtable, our recruiting team breaks down how to turn your Experience section into proof of value that works double-duty. It feeds LinkedIn’s 360Brew algorithm with clear, consistent signals, and it gives hiring managers the mini-stories they need to quickly trust you as a candidate.

How closely does your Experience need to align with your resume? What happens when dates, titles, or responsibilities don’t match… and how could that quietly be costing you interviews?

We dig into why alignment across your Headline, About, Skills, and Experience is now mission‑critical. And, we outline how 360Brew uses that consistency to assign you a professional “persona” that determines which searches and feeds you show up in. Are you unintentionally confusing the system by telling different stories in different sections?

You will also hear concrete examples of transforming dry bullets into concise stories using context, action, result, and reflection. We outline how to craft stories that cut through buzzwords like “strategic leader” and actually prove your impact.

What are the three non‑negotiables recruiters scan for in Experience? Which red flags make us hesitate, and which signals encourage us to move your candidacy forward faster?

Don’t you want your profile to be both findable and irresistible so recruiters discover you and hiring managers remember you? I thought so! This episode will give you a practical, no‑fluff roadmap on how to optimize your LinkedIn Experience section.

Listen to Secrets of a CRA Recruiter on Your Favorite Channel! 

Related Blog Posts:

• Roundtable: LinkedIn About Section Examples
• Roundtable: LinkedIn Posts for Job Seekers
• Roundtable: Why Your LinkedIn Headline Matters
• Roundtable: Job Seeker LinkedIn Banner Crimes
• What is LinkedIn’s Search Algorithm Looking for?
• Why Other Job Seekers Are Landing Jobs on LinkedIn (and How You Can, Too)

The post Roundtable: How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Experience Section appeared first on craresources.

Most professionals know their LinkedIn “About” section matters. But few realize just how much recruiters, hiring managers, and even LinkedIn’s own 360Brew algorithm are relying on it to make fast decisions about them.

In this roundtable episode, our recruiting team pulls back the curtain on what really happens when we open your profile. Why do 92% of us decide to engage or scroll largely based on your About section? What makes one clinical research profile feel like “generic experience” while another jumps off the page with “who you serve, what you deliver, and proof”? And how do you create an emotional connection and satisfy the bots at the same time?

You will hear our recruiters walk through real “before and after” LinkedIn About sections. We show you how a few specific metrics can change your credibility in seconds. And importantly, we explain why listing companies and job titles in your About is a missed opportunity. Our discussion shares practical tips on keywords: which ones actually help you show up in search results? How can you mine job descriptions for the right language? And how do you avoid sounding like a robot when you are writing for an algorithm?

Finally, we introduce the five-part framework we use when coaching candidates, covering your opening line, story, bullet “skills stack,” audience focus, and call to action. If you have struggled to create your About section, learning how to use this framework is gold. The goal? Ensuring your About section becomes a powerful handshake that works on autopilot for your job search and your long-term career brand.

If you have ever wondered, “Is my About section helping me get found, or quietly holding me back?”, this episode is for you.

Listen to Secrets of a CRA Recruiter on Your Favorite Channel! 

Related Blog Posts:

• Roundtable: How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Experience Section
• Roundtable: LinkedIn Posts for Job Seekers
• Roundtable: Why Your LinkedIn Headline Matters
• Roundtable: Job Seeker LinkedIn Banner Crimes
• What is LinkedIn’s Search Algorithm Looking for?
• Why Other Job Seekers Are Landing Jobs on LinkedIn (and How You Can, Too)

The post Roundtable: LinkedIn About Section Examples appeared first on craresources.

Your “perfect” LinkedIn profile still isn’t attracting opportunities. Why not? Brace yourself because I am going to tell you that you should be putting out LinkedIn Posts. Today’s podcast pulls back the curtain on what really gets job seekers noticed in a LinkedIn 360Brew world. And it is beyond just polishing your headline and calling it a day.

I get it…you don’t feel qualified to write LinkedIn posts. But before you tune out because you will…absolutely…not…create…LinkedIn Posts, give me just a minute. Why? Because simply having a profile is no longer enough, and strategic posting can drive two to three times more of the right traffic to your page.

We describe how easy it is to create posts that position you as an expert. And, we outline why you should avoid the generic, copy‑paste “inspiration” posts that scream “bot” instead of “credible professional”.

We dig into how LinkedIn’s new 360Brew algorithm actually “reads” your content. And, we also explain how LinkedIn compares your posts to your headline, About, skills, and experience to assign you a professional persona. And this is all important when it comes to attracting the right traffic.

Are your posts reinforcing the niche you want to be known for? Or are you confusing the system with cat memes and vague career platitudes?

You will also pick up practical tactics you can apply immediately:

• How to write hooks that trigger that crucial “see more” click.
• Why dwell time matters more than likes.
• How to pull real achievements from your resume and turn them into engaging, human posts (with help from AI tools that don’t make you sound like a robot).

Learn to start posting with purpose, and turn your feed into a magnet for recruiters in your niche. Press play and let’s get you found.

Listen to Secrets of a CRA Recruiter on Your Favorite Channel! 

Related Blog Posts:

• Roundtable: LinkedIn About Section Examples
• Roundtable: Why Your LinkedIn Headline Matters
• Roundtable: Job Seeker LinkedIn Banner Crimes
• What is LinkedIn’s Search Algorithm Looking for?
• Why Other Job Seekers Are Landing Jobs on LinkedIn (and How You Can, Too)

The post Roundtable: LinkedIn Posts for Job Seekers appeared first on craresources.

When was the last time you really looked at your LinkedIn headline or your profile photo? I encourage you to do it now. Not just glance at it, but ask yourself, “Would I contact me based on this first impression?”

In our latest roundtable, our team dives into two of the most underestimated areas of a LinkedIn profile: your headline and your photo. They may seem like the basics, but our team makes it clear that these seemingly small details carry big consequences. Recruiters often make snap judgments in seconds, long before they read a single line of your About section.

So, what is your photo saying before you ever say a word?

And that headline you have been using: does it sell your value or just state your job title? Could your choice of words be quietly self-sabotaging your visibility to both hiring managers and the bots that decide who gets seen first? In an age when every keyword counts, the difference between “looking for new opportunities” and “I help teams deliver high-quality results on time and within budget” might be far greater than you think.

Our team unpacks real examples of what works and what doesn’t. We also discuss why authenticity matters just as much as precision. Whether you are job searching, networking, or simply building your professional brand, your LinkedIn photo and headline might be doing more talking than you realize.

So, how are your LinkedIn Heading and profile photo holding up? If your profile views and post impressions are low, you may need an update. Click below to hear the full discussion and get inspired to give your profile the refresh it deserves.

Listen to Secrets of a CRA Recruiter on Your Favorite Channel! 

Related Blog Posts:

• Roundtable: Job Seeker LinkedIn Banner Crimes
• What is LinkedIn’s Search Algorithm Looking for?
• Why Other Job Seekers Are Landing Jobs on LinkedIn (and How You Can, Too)

The post Roundtable: Why Your LinkedIn Headline Matters appeared first on craresources.

Your LinkedIn banner…is it a quiet killer or career supercharger? In just 3 seconds, it can make or break a recruiter’s first impression of you. Today’s roundtable is about avoiding banner disasters that send great candidates straight to the “nope” pile.

Picture this: a hiring manager scrolls on mobile, your headshot pops, and the headline teases your value. But then the banner hits. Cluttered logos screaming “CRA, disrupter, auditor, consultant”? A vacation beach shot with your dog? An offending political message? Pixelated text that is interpretive art on a thumbnail? Or worse, the default blue void that screams “fake profile”?

These “banner crimes” aren’t just ugly. They signal indecision, desperation, or laziness, causing you to vanish from consideration faster than you can say “Open to Work.”

But what if your banner sealed the deal instead? Subtle clinical trial cues, a crisp tagline showing you own your lane, and mobile-proof clarity that whispers confidence. And guess what? No graphic design degree is needed. Tools like Canva make it dead simple and, in most cases, at zero cost.

In our latest 20-minute team roundtable, we trudge through the battlefield of LinkedIn banners. We roast real-world fails (yes, including that stretched-face horror), decoding why visual elements are more important than words for visually stimulated recruiters. We also outline simple LinkedIn banner fixes to align your brand with the jobs you are going after.

So, job seekers…I have to ask: is your banner working for you or against you? Listen to this podcast and then audit your banner using our tips. What does it say about you in 3 seconds?

Uncover the formula that turns prime real estate (aka – your banner) into an interview magnet. Dive in and transform your LinkedIn profile today.

Listen to Secrets of a CRA Recruiter on Your Favorite Channel! 

The post Roundtable: Job Seeker LinkedIn Banner Crimes appeared first on craresources.

In clinical research hiring, AI and one-way video interviews are flattening talent into checklists. But top Directors of Clinical Operations say that isn’t how real fits happen. In Part 2 of our podcast series on resource strategies, Brian Dempster and Lyle Gee reveal how job seekers break through the noise in this employer-driven market using smart networking tactics.

They tackle AI screening frustrations head-on. Their advice? Treat it like any process-driven gatekeeper by showcasing your unique story, not just credentials. Stand out by proving impact, such as system fixes, study rescues, and team integration, while asking sharp questions that flip interviews into bidirectional conversations.

Oh…and job seekers: forget discussing your potential. In today’s market, companies demand proof of results, backed by reputable work history and strong references.

Smart networking emerges as the ultimate differentiator. The key? Build genuine connections now, not just when job hunting. Find networking opportunities at conferences, on LinkedIn, or with existing contacts. For example, your leaders love sharing war stories and career signposts, so approach seniors boldly with curiosity: “How did you navigate that challenge?”

One panelist emphasizes: don’t wait; network where you are. All agree: your reputation is your next job, even in entry roles.

This isn’t fluffy advice. It is battle-tested from the hiring side. Job seekers should learn to humanize their candidacy amid AI floods, hybrid teams, and buyer’s market realities. Whether you are a CRA, ops lead, or breaking in, these nuggets equip you to land roles by being memorable, adaptable, and trusted.

Tune in to transform how you pitch yourself beyond resumes.

Listen to Secrets of a CRA Recruiter on Your Favorite Channel! 

The post Podcast: Beating AI with Smart Networking appeared first on craresources.