By Amelia Frederick, Recruiting Manager at JK Executive Strategies Compensation still matters. It always will. But in today’s hiring market, it’s no longer the deciding factor it once was. As a Recruiting Manager, I spend my days having honest conversations with candidates across industries and experience levels. What’s become increasingly clear is that candidates are [...]

Written by Jill KnittelHiring the right talent has never been more important — or more competitive. Yet even well-intentioned organizations often undermine their own efforts with avoidable missteps in the hiring process. After years of working alongside leadership teams, these are the five most common hiring mistakes I see — and what to do differently. [...]

What major shifts do you see shaping the workforce by 2026 — and how should companies be preparing now? By 2026, we’ll see three big shifts: a more fluid, skills-based labor market, an AI-augmented workplace, and a workforce that is less willing to tolerate misalignment between their values and their employer’s. Title and tenure [...]

Written By: Amelia Frederick No matter what industry you’re in, interviews often follow a familiar pattern. As recruiters, we see the same key questions come up time and again, and how you answer them can make all the difference. Here are the top 10 questions you should be ready for, and what employers are really [...]

By Kaitlyn Argus - October 2025 Letting someone go is one of the hardest responsibilities a leader carries. It’s emotional, uncomfortable, and can shape the culture of a company for a long time. But when handled thoughtfully, it can also be a moment of integrity. One that demonstrates fairness, clarity, and compassion. Before You Move [...]

By Jim McAuliffe, JK Executive Strategies As we move deeper into the second half of 2025, private equity firms are approaching a critical inflection point across their portfolios. Capital is tighter. Hold periods are stretching longer. Operational complexity is rising. In this environment, “good enough” leadership no longer delivers the returns firms are targeting. [...]

 By Jaime Howley, Vice President of Recruiting & Client Relations In today’s competitive labor market, the smartest manufacturers and distributors aren’t just hiring for today, they’re building for tomorrow. And one of the most overlooked yet powerful strategies for long-term success is developing internal talent pipelines that actually work. Why Internal Development Matters Right Now [...]