That line on your resume that makes your stomach drop in interviews isn’t the problem. The way you’re talking about it is. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly why career gaps and layoffs quietly derail otherwise strong candidates and how most people accidentally confirm an interviewer’s worst fears without realizing it.

I walk you through what hiring managers are actually thinking when they see a gap on your resume and the two mistakes that cost candidates job offers every single day. I also share the simple three-part formula I use with clients to turn layoffs and career gaps into one of the most confident moments of the interview. No over-explaining. No defensiveness. No awkward justifications. Just a clear, calm story that reassures the interviewer and shifts the conversation back to your value.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to talk about layoffs without spiraling or apologizing for your existence, and you’ll finally feel in control of a question that used to throw you off your game. If you’ve been dreading this part of the interview or replaying your answer in your head after every call, this one might change everything. Hit play and I’ll walk you through exactly what to say and why it works.

1:16 – Why Career Gaps Aren’t Automatically Dealbreakers for Hiring Managers

2:52 – The Three Hidden Fears Recruiters Have About Resume Gaps (and How to Disarm Them)

6:06 – The Most Common Mistakes People Make When Discussing Layoffs in Interviews

8:17 – The Simple 3-Step Formula That Turns Your Career Gap Into an Interview Strength

13:09 – How to Pivot from Explaining Your Gap to Proving You’re Perfect for the Role

16:17 – Why Owning Your Story (Not Over-Explaining) Makes You Instantly More Attractive to Employers

🛎️ FREEBIES & RESOURCES:

1. Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE
2. Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
3. Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself
4. Learn how to MASTER Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral

♥️ CONNECT WITH ME:

1. Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
2. Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com

➡️ HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode103

🌟 FOLLOW &...

What if the only thing standing between you and your next career breakthrough is a lesson you haven’t learned yet? In this milestone episode, I’m reflecting on 100 plus episodes of podcasting and the unexpected career lessons that came with it. This isn’t a highlight reel or a victory lap. It’s the real mindset shifts that changed how I approach hard things, fear, and consistency in my career and with my clients.

I walk you through three lessons that apply just as much to your job search or next promotion as they did to building this podcast. We talk about why your future identity deserves a vote, how fear is often a green light instead of a stop sign, and why big goals sound impressive but realistic ones are what actually move the needle. Each lesson is grounded in real experiences and practical takeaways you can start using immediately without overhauling your entire strategy.

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel clearer, calmer, and more confident about the next move you’ve been avoiding or overthinking. If you’ve been stuck in your head, burning out, or waiting to feel ready, this conversation might be the shift you didn’t know you needed. The real question is which of these lessons are you finally going to act on.

2:20 – Why Your “Future Self” Should Have a Say in Your Career Decisions

3:56 – How Acting Like the Confident Version of You Can Transform Your Interviews

7:19 – Why Fear Means You’re Heading in the Right Direction—Not the Wrong One

8:18 – The Surprising Reason Fear is a Signal You’re on the Right Path

14:22 – Why Tiny, Realistic Goals Beat Unsustainable Large Ones for Consistency

17:06 – How Consistency (Not Overwhelm) Helps You Get Hired and Promoted

🛎️ FREEBIES & RESOURCES:

1. Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE
2. Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
3. Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself
4. Learn how to MASTER Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral

♥️ CONNECT WITH ME:

1. Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
2. Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com

➡️ HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode102

🌟 FOLLOW & REVIEW:

Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you...

If you have ever walked out of an interview thinking I nailed that and still did not move forward, this episode is your wake up call. Today, I’m breaking down one of the most common reasons qualified CSMs struggle to land offers even when they prepare and practice. Most candidates prep for every interview the exact same way, and it quietly works against them. Recruiters, hiring managers, and cross-functional partners may ask similar questions, but they are listening for very different signals.

In this episode, I walk you through a smarter, more strategic way to prepare based on who you are interviewing with so you can tailor your answers without sounding scripted or inauthentic.

By the end, you will know exactly how to shift your messaging so you come across confident, credible, and intentional in every round. If you are tired of guessing what interviewers want and ready to finally control the outcome, hit play and let’s dive in.

And if you want to discover the easiest and most effective way to prepare for your Customer Success interviews, watch my Free Training on how to Nail Your CS Interviews: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/nailinterviews

02:37 – Why Memorizing Interview Answers Backfires (and What to Do Instead)

8:13 – How to Prep Differently for Recruiters vs. Hiring Managers vs. Cross-Functional Teams

14:42 – The "Checklist" Approach Recruiters Really Use And How to Make It Work for You

21:23 – How to Show Hiring Managers You're the One Who’ll Help Them Hit Their Goals

27:00 – Ways to Stand Out in Cross-Functional Interviews by Addressing What Each Team Actually Cares About

10:44 – The Fastest Way to Level Up Your Interview Prep (Hint: It’s All About the Interviewer’s Perspective)

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

1. Episode 3: Falling short in interviews? ACE your next Customer Success job interview with these simple tips!

🛎️ FREEBIES & RESOURCES:

1. Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE
2. Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
3. Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself
4. Learn how to MASTER Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral

♥️ CONNECT WITH ME:

1. Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/

What if the reason you feel stuck in your Customer Success career has nothing to do with your performance and everything to do with the path you’re blindly following?

On today’s episode, I’m unpacking the uncomfortable truth about traditional CS career paths and why doing “the next logical step” can quietly derail your growth, happiness, and earning potential. We’ll talk about why promotions that look good on paper can feel miserable in real life, how following the crowd leads to boring roles and regret, and the simple mindset shift that changes how you make career decisions inside Customer Success.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a completely new way to think about success in your Customer Success career, one that’s built around what you’re actually good at, what you enjoy, and where you want to end up, not what everyone else is doing. If you’ve ever felt pressure to go enterprise, become a CSM, or say yes just because it’s “the path,” this conversation will give you clarity, confidence, and permission to choose differently.

3:05 – Why Blindly Following a Career Path Can Lead to Burnout and Missed Potential

5:41 – How Peer Pressure (and ‘Default’ Decisions) Steer You Off-Course

8:33 – Why Enterprise CSM Isn't Automatically the Next Best Step

15:56 – The Power of Defining Your Own Success in Customer Success (and Knowing You Have Choices)

22:00 – How Tech Touch Customer Success Offers Rapid Growth and Thought Leadership Potential

28:12 – The One Interview Question That Reveals If a Future Manager Is There by Choice

🛎️ FREEBIES & RESOURCES:

1. Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
2. Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself
3. Learn how to MASTER Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral
4. Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE

♥️ CONNECT WITH ME:

1. Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
2. Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com

➡️ HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode100

🌟 FOLLOW & REVIEW:

Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things:

1. hit the...

If your customer calls feel stiff, boring, or like both of you are counting down the minutes until it’s over, you’re not imagining it, and it’s costing you more than you think.

That’s why in this episode, I’m breaking down the simple shifts that turn awkward, check-the-box customer calls into conversations your customers actually want to show up to. You’ll learn why leading with the wrong metrics kills trust instantly, how to frame topics in a way that gets customers leaning in instead of zoning out, and the exact conversational tactics top-performing CSMs use to sound confident, human, and in control (without following a rigid script).

By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to run customer calls that feel natural, valuable, and genuinely strategic — the kind that deepen trust, uncover expansion signals, and make your job a whole lot easier. If you’re ready to stop filling airtime and start leading calls that actually move the needle, hit play and let’s dive in.

0:44 – Why “Check-the-Box” Customer Calls Are Sabotaging Engagement

3:01 – Why Starting with Product Metrics Makes Customers Zone Out (And How to Fix It)

6:46 – How to Introduce Topics So Your Customer Actually Wants to Participate

10:35 – Three Easy Tactics to Make Every Call Feel More Human and Less Scripted

14:44 – How “Tell Me More About That” Instantly Changes the Whole Conversation

16:45 – How Just One Small Change Per Month Can Make You the CSM Everyone Loves to Talk To

🛎️ FREEBIES & RESOURCES:

1. Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
2. Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself
3. Learn how to MASTER Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral
4. Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE

♥️ CONNECT WITH ME:

1. Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
2. Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com

➡️ HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode99

🌟 FOLLOW & REVIEW:

Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things:

1. hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop

What if landing your next big career move comes down to one simple shift in how you approach your job search? Most people treat job hunting like a chaotic scramble — hopping between LinkedIn and job boards whenever they feel like it, but never actually gaining momentum.

That’s why in this episode, I’m breaking down the exact four time blocks you need to turn your job search from overwhelming to unstoppable. I’ll reveal the intentional schedule top job seekers use, why strategic time blocking works (even if you’re exhausted or strapped for time), and how to avoid burnout while doubling your chances of landing interviews.

You’ll get the play-by-play of what a realistic, high-impact job search week looks like with actionable tips for getting ahead of the competition before January hiring heats up. Imagine having a repeatable system that eliminates guesswork, anxiety, and guilt, so you always know you’re making real progress (and still have energy left over for a life outside the job search). If you want to take control of your job search and outrun the new year hiring rush, hit play and let’s dive in.

1:02 – Why Time Blocking (Not Just “Trying Harder”) Is the Real Job Search Game-Changer

3:16 – The 4 Strategic Job Search Blocks Every Candidate Needs and How to Use Them

4:08 – How to Break Up Your Job Search Blocks for Maximum Energy (and Less Chaos)

7:41 – Networking Consistency: The Small Habit That Doubles Your Interview Chances

8:17 – Why Weekly Interview Prep Matters (Even When You Don’t Have Interviews Yet)

11:41 – How Structure Boosts Your Confidence So You Can Enjoy Your Evenings, Guilt-Free

13:03 – The December Advantage: How to Get Ahead Before Other Job Seekers Even Start

🛎️ FREEBIES & RESOURCES:

1. Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
2. Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself
3. Learn how to MASTER Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral
4. Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE

♥️ CONNECT WITH ME:

1. Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
2. Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com

➡️ HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode98

🌟 FOLLOW & REVIEW:

Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate

What if the only thing standing between you and a job offer you actually want is a strategy you haven’t heard yet? In this episode, I’m breaking down the real story behind how Amy went from a brutal late-stage rejection at MongoDB to signing a $150K base offer, PLUS negotiating an extra 10K just weeks later.

You’ll hear the exact steps she took to rebuild momentum fast, the cold-outreach strategy that had hiring managers responding within 24 hours, the interview storytelling shift that instantly made her stand out from “qualified” candidates, and the pipeline and negotiation moves that turned one solid offer into a life-changing one.

By the end, you’ll walk away knowing exactly how to regain control of your job search, rebuild confidence after rejection, and create the kind of momentum that makes opportunities come to YOU. If you want a job search process that actually moves you forward without burning yourself out, hit play and let’s dive in.

0:44 – Why Late-Stage Interview Rejection Doesn’t Mean Starting Over

4:21 – How Strategic Cold Outreach Can Unlock Interviews at Top Companies

8:25 – Why Your Interview Stories Need More “How” (Not Just Results) to Stand Out

12:15 – The Secret to Keeping Momentum: Juggling Multiple Opportunities, Even in Final Rounds

13:40 – Why You Should Always Negotiate Your Offer, Even If It Looks Great

15:44 – The Four Steps to Rebuild Job Search Momentum After Rejection

🛎️ FREEBIES & RESOURCES:

1. Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE
2. Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
3. Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself
4. Learn how to MASTER Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral

♥️ CONNECT WITH ME:

1. Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
2. Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com

➡️ HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode97

🌟 FOLLOW & REVIEW:

Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things:

1. hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop

What if the fastest way to rebuild your career confidence isn’t another resume update or headline hack, but a game you play at the holiday dinner table? In this quick, punchy episode, I share the deceptively simple activity I first tried with my own family and how it genuinely changed how I see myself and my career.

Instead of diving into another round of job searching advice, I break down the power of this crowdsourced strengths game and why hearing the real, non-sarcastic things your loved ones admire about you hits differently (especially when you’re feeling stuck or rejected). I’ll show you exactly how to play so it’s not awkward and how to use what you hear to interrupt those negative self-talk spirals.

If you’re feeling discouraged, wrestling with imposter syndrome, or just want to remind yourself what you actually bring to the table (career-wise, not just the mashed potatoes), this episode is your permission slip to get radically honest feedback from the people who know you best. Try this game, and you’ll realize you’re more resilient and capable than your circumstances would have you believe. So go ahead, hit play and let’s dive in.

1:49 – How to Use Crowdsourced Feedback From Loved Ones to Interrupt Negative Self-Talk

02:03 – The Real Reason Career Setbacks Feel Personal and How to Break Free from That Spiral

03:06 – How to Make Sharing Strengths Fun (Even with Sarcastic Families!)

05:10 – The Surprising Power of Hearing What Others Admire About You (Especially When You Can't See It Yourself) and Why Your Current Circumstances Aren’t Your Identity

07:06 – How to Store and Use Positivity for Your Next Spiral

🛎️ FREEBIES & RESOURCES:

1. Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
2. Learn how to sell yourself as the best candidate & walk into your next Customer Success job interview with confidence with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/sellyourself
3. Learn how to MASTER Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral
4. Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE

♥️ CONNECT WITH ME:

1. Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
2. Got any questions? Send me an email at support@carlyagar.com

➡️ HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode96

🌟 FOLLOW & REVIEW:

Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things: