Inside the Decisions That Shape Hiring and Careers
October 28, 2026 – Hiring and leadership decisions continue to play an increasingly important role in shaping both individual careers and organizational performance. As companies navigate tighter talent markets, rapid technological change, and evolving expectations around leadership, greater attention is being placed on how executives identify high performers, assess potential, and make decisions about who is ready for greater responsibility. Understanding what happens on the other side of the hiring table can offer valuable insight into how careers advance and how stronger teams are built.
Technology and GTM recruiting and consulting firm HIRECLOUT recently launched of HIRE Calling, a new podcast hosted by founder and CEO Avetis Antaplyan. Launched October 15, the podcast draws on nearly two decades of recruiting experience to explore how hiring and leadership decisions shape careers and business success.
“Career advice usually tells people what they should do but rarely reveals what’s happening on the other side of the table,” said Mr. Antaplyan. “I wanted to open up those conversations so people can better understand how to get hired, grow, lead, and build successful teams.”
Mr. Antaplyan discussed what prompted him to launch HIRE Calling and the gap he saw in existing conversations around hiring, leadership, and career advancement. “I’ve built a company that has helped hundreds of businesses scale, transform, and work toward successful exits, while helping elevate the careers of tens of thousands of candidates,” he said. “I’ve also invested in and advised dozens of startups and personally hired and managed hundreds of people. Across those experiences, I’ve seen the right people and decisions help companies achieve massive exits. I’ve also seen the wrong hires hold businesses down like anchors. Those experiences give you a lot to share about how companies and careers grow.”
“The Tech Leader’s Playbook has been a phenomenal show, with great insights into technology, leadership, and building businesses,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “But I wanted to go deeper into how people elevate their careers: how they get hired, earn promotions, become leaders, and choose environments where they can thrive. That deserved a dedicated show.”
Related: HIRECLOUT Founder & CEO Avetis Antaplyan Launches HIRE Calling Podcast
“I’ve also built an eclectic network of brilliant people who share valuable lessons in private conversations that rarely reach a wider audience,” he added. “HIRE Calling creates a place to share those insights and help people make better decisions about their careers and companies.”
Beyond Qualifications and Effort
People often assume the most qualified candidate gets hired, or the hardest-working employee gets promoted, Mr. Antaplyan explained. “Those decisions also involve trust, timing, business priorities, and confidence that someone can handle what comes next,” he said. “Candidates need to connect their experience to the problems the business needs solved. For promotions, leaders need to see evidence that someone can take on broader responsibility, exercise judgment, and make the people around them more effective.”
HIRE Calling is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Watch the premiere episode or explore all listening platforms.
Having hired and managed hundreds of people, Mr. Antaplyan has also noticed that those with a clear career strategy who put down roots often grow substantially faster. “They build expertise, work through challenges, and stay long enough to see the consequences of their decisions,” he noted. “Changing companies can be the right move. But repeatedly leaving before you’ve solved meaningful problems can limit your development. Hiring leaders want to understand what you built, what you improved, and what lasting impact you made.”
Balancing AI and Judgment
As a business owner, investor, and someone building recruiting technology, Mr. Antaplyan is excited about what AI can improve. He pointed out that it can reduce repetitive work, help identify relevant talent, and give people more time for meaningful conversations. “But hiring and managing people teaches you how much context matters,” he added. “Someone’s background doesn’t tell you everything about their judgment, motivation, resilience, or potential. You need to understand what’s behind their accomplishments and whether the opportunity fits where they want to go.”
Related: The Leadership Pipeline Crisis: AI’s Hidden Cost
On HIRE Calling, Mr. Antaplyan wants to hear from the people building these tools, the leaders using them, and the professionals experiencing them. Where does AI improve decisions? Where does it miss context? How do we evaluate the results? His view is that technology should strengthen human judgment, and people need to remain accountable for the decisions they make with it.
Mr. Antaplyan discussed what employers are looking for today and the qualities that separate high-performing executives and employees from those who may appear strong on paper but ultimately fall short. “Ownership, judgment, adaptability, and follow-through come up repeatedly,” he said. “Strong performers understand the outcome they’re responsible for, surface problems early, and stay engaged when the work gets difficult. That matches what I’ve seen managing people and supporting companies. The people who develop the most tend to be intentional about their careers. They build depth, learn from the consequences of their decisions, and develop the ability to deliver under changing conditions.”
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“An impressive résumé can create false confidence,” Mr. Antaplyan continued. “You still need to understand what someone personally contributed, what support they had, and whether they can succeed in your environment. I’ve seen the right leaders unlock growth and contribute to massive exits. I’ve also seen the wrong hires become anchors, slowing decisions and weakening teams. That’s why we look closely at whether someone’s capabilities, ambitions, and career chapter align with the company’s stage and what it needs next.”
Mr. Antaplyan also shared what he hopes both candidates and business leaders will take away from HIRE Calling and how he sees it evolving over time. For professionals, he wants the show to help them develop a clearer vision for their careers. What do they want to become? What experiences will help them get there? Where can they build expertise, solve meaningful problems, and earn greater responsibility?
“For business leaders, I hope it improves how they hire, develop, and retain people,” Mr. Antaplyan said. “If you want employees to invest in your company, you need to give them a reason to see a future there. Over time, I see HIRE Calling exploring the full relationship between career growth and company growth, from someone’s first leadership opportunity to building a team, scaling a business, and navigating an exit. I want to use the breadth of my network to give listeners access to perspectives and candid lessons they might otherwise never hear. If a conversation helps someone avoid a costly mistake, earn an opportunity, or build a stronger company, that’s a meaningful outcome.”
HIRE Calling is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Watch the premiere episode or explore all listening platforms.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor — Hunt Scanlon Media
