Today, we’re joined by David Dean, a technology and AI leader with 20 years of experience helping organizations move from ambiguity to execution. David’s career has evolved from hands-on technology and infrastructure into enterprise architecture, intelligent automation, AI strategy, governance, and organizational transformation. He has led AI and automation initiatives in complex, regulated environments, including work that reduced processing times by more than 90%.

Today, David advises senior leaders on AI strategy, governance, automation, and responsible AI adoption. He is also an author and speaker whose work explores what AI reveals about how organizations - and the people inside them - actually work. That perspective is especially relevant for people in transition because AI isn't just changing jobs; it’s changing how candidates need to communicate the experience, judgment, accountability, and lessons they bring to their next opportunity.

In our conversation, David and I explored what that means for candidates as AI becomes part of both sides of the hiring process:

• From “what you did” to “how you did it”
  How will AI change the way candidates demonstrate the value of their experience?
• Your “how” as your competitive advantage
  When both companies and candidates use AI, how do you make your lived experience and judgment stand out?
• Building your “how” inventory – Dictate this to get the real flavor/feeling
  How can challenges, mistakes, and lessons learned help you uncover and articulate what you actually know how to do?
• Adversity, failure, and accountability
  How can overcoming adversity—and learning from failure—become powerful evidence of your value to a hiring manager?
• AI as a tool for self-realization
  How can you use AI to test whether your stories answer the “how” completely and compellingly?
• The new personal brand for candidates
  As AI makes keywords and polished résumés easier to produce, how will your judgment, accountability, and authentic experience define your next great opportunity?

As we close, this is a fascinating time to be watching the recruiting scene. AI will continue to change how companies identify talent and how candidates present themselves. Successful candidates will need to adapt their style, clarify the “how” behind their experience, and define their next great opportunity. For more questions and to learn more about David’s work, visit his LinkedIn profile and personal website davidchristopherdean.com

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Welcome to “People in Transition”. I’m your host, Bob Gerst.

Today, we’re talking about career change, uncertainty, and how to navigate that space between where you’ve been and where you’re going. My guest is Geralda Larkins, SPHR, a transformational HR executive and strategic advisor with more than 25 years of experience across federal and municipal government and other organizations. She has held senior leadership roles with the IRS and the City of North Miami. She has built her career helping leaders and organizations navigate change, accountability, and complex workplace issues.

Geralda brings a powerful framework to the transition process: Train, Transform, and Transition. Here’s a quick look at what we discussed:

TRAIN

· Recognize the skills and experience you already have - you may be more prepared for your next chapter than you think.

· If you’re moving from the public sector to the private sector, learn to translate your experience into the language of your new marketplace.

TRANSFORM

· Embrace the “messy middle” - that uncomfortable space between where you’ve been and where you’re going.

· Don’t rush through it. This is where reflection, growth, and change happen. You’re not behind.

TRANSITION

· Don’t land in panic - land on purpose.

· Be intentional about what comes next and choose an opportunity that aligns with your values.

I think you’ll find Geralda’s perspective both practical and inspiring.

So let’s get into it. Here’s my conversation with Geralda Larkins.

To learn more about Geralda, visit geraldalarkins.com or connect with her on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/geraldalarkins.

And if you enjoy this episode, please listen, share it, and pass it along to someone who may be navigating a transition of their own.

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For nearly 20 years, Endi has partnered with organisations through significant change and supported executives and professionals during pivotal career moments. She brings a unique perspective on both how organisations make talent decisions and how people can confidently navigate change and shape what comes next.

As a coach, she helps executives understand their strengths and the value they bring, explore their options, and develop a practical strategy to achieve their goals.

Today, Endi brings that combination of commercial experience, career-management expertise, curiosity, empathy, and a genuine desire to help people realize their potential to the conversation.

And in this episode, we’re going to get practical about something almost everyone in a career transition faces: How do you actually approach the job search process in a way that gives you the best chance of success?

• Why is taking a breath and preparing strategically a better approach than immediately applying to every job you see?
• How can free online career tools help you better understand—and sharpen—your personal brand?
• Why do candidates often undermine their chances of making a strong first impression by not doing the work upfront—and how can you avoid that mistake?
• Why is it important to remember that networking is really just a conversation with a purpose?
• What does AIR mean, and how can you use it effectively in informational interviews and other career conversations?
• What interview formula does Endi recommend for achieving maximum success?
• Why should you learn from the events in an interview process that you can’t control, put them aside, and focus your energy on what you can control or influence?

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/endifrydman

Because a career transition isn’t just about finding your next job. It’s about understanding where you’re going, knowing what you bring to the table, and making sure your next move is the right one. So take a breath, get prepared, and join us for the conversation.

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