PodcastsBusinessCustomer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager

Customer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager

Carly Agar | Customer Success Career Coach
Customer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager
Latest episode

113 episodes

  • Customer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager

    112. He Spent 2.5 Years Applying to Jobs the Wrong Way. Here's What Finally Worked | Client Spotlight

    18/03/2026 | 29 mins.
    What if the reason you’re not landing interviews isn’t your experience, but your strategy? In today’s episode, I’m sharing the story of Junior, a Customer Success Manager who applied to over 1,000 jobs across 2.5 years and had almost nothing to show for it except a handful of interviews.
    In this client spotlight episode, we unpack exactly what changed when he stopped using the “spray and pray” approach and started approaching his job search with a completely different strategy. We talk about the mindset shifts that helped him move past anger and rejection, the resume changes that suddenly unlocked interviews, and the outreach strategy that helped him connect directly with hiring managers instead of getting lost in the applicant pool.
    The result? He went from averaging one interview a month to multiple interviews in just a few weeks and signed a job offer in about 90 days.
    If you're ready to stop sending out endless job applications and finally understand what actually gets results in a competitive job market, hit play to hear the strategy shift that made all the difference.
    And if you’re tired of applying to jobs and hearing nothing back, apply for coaching HERE and let’s fix your strategy together.
    00:28 – Why "Spraying and Praying" Your Resume Leads to Burnout, Not Results
    02:54 – The Emotional Toll of Layoffs and Why Mindset Shifts Are Critical for Job Search Success
    05:16 – How Applying to Over 1,000 Jobs Led to Only 20 Interviews (and What Had to Change)
    11:02 – The Game-Changing Impact of a Professionally Written, Targeted Resume
    12:35 – Why Targeted Outreach (Not Just More Applications) Opened New Doors for Junior
    15:15 – What Most Job Seekers Get Wrong When Messaging Recruiters on LinkedIn
    17:08 – How Consistent Interview Practice (and Feedback) Turned Rejection Into Confidence
    18:55 – Why Overpreparation for Interviews Is About Confidence, Not Sounding Rehearsed
    24:17 – The Mindset and Community Support That Helped Junior Land a Role in Just 90 Days
    EPISODE LINKS:
    Connect with Junior on LinkedIn
    FREEBIES & RESOURCES:
    🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE
    🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
    🛎️ 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
    🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral
    CONNECT WITH ME:
    ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
    💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at [email protected]
    HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode112
    FOLLOW & REVIEW:
    Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things:
    👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop
    👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify!
    This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights.
    Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week.
    New episodes drop every Wednesday!
    Mentioned in this episode:
    We analyzed 1,474 CSM conversations to uncover why they’re leaving and what actually keeps them in 2026. Grab the free Talent Report here: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/report
  • Customer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager

    111. The Expansion Playbook for CSMs Who Hate Selling

    11/03/2026 | 23 mins.
    What if the thing standing between you and your next promotion as a CSM isn’t working harder but learning how to spot expansion opportunities without ever feeling like a salesperson?
    In this episode, I’m breaking down two ridiculously simple approaches to expansion that you can start using immediately, even on your very next customer call. We’ll walk through the quick “inside-out” method to uncover low-hanging opportunities in your existing accounts, plus the more strategic “outside-in” approach that helps you think like a trusted advisor and connect your customer’s business goals to real revenue opportunities.
    By the end of this episode, you’ll start seeing expansion differently… not as selling, but as understanding your customer’s business and connecting the dots in a way that naturally creates growth. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable with upselling or worried it’s not “your job” as a CSM, this might completely change how you think about your role and your earning potential. Hit play and let’s talk about the playbook most CSMs were never taught.
    02:09 – Why Getting Comfortable With Selling is Key for CSM Career Growth
    04:01 – The Fastest “Inside-Out” Way to Find Expansion Opportunities
    07:59 – Three Natural Questions to Uncover Expansion on Customer Calls
    12:47 – The Strategic Power of the “Outside-In” Approach (and Goal Trees)
    22:03 – How Treating Expansion as Problem-Solving (Not Selling) Gets You Promoted
    FREEBIES & RESOURCES:
    🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE
    🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
    🛎️ 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
    🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral
    CONNECT WITH ME:
    ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
    💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at [email protected]
    HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode111
    FOLLOW & REVIEW:
    Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things:
    👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop
    👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify!
    This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights.
    Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week.
    New episodes drop every Wednesday!
    Mentioned in this episode:
    We analyzed 1,474 CSM conversations to uncover why they’re leaving and what actually keeps them in 2026. Grab the free Talent Report here: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/report
  • Customer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager

    110. How to Nail a CSM Interview Presentation (3 Things Companies Are Grading You On)

    04/03/2026 | 21 mins.
    What if the reason you keep coming in second place in your CSM interviews has nothing to do with your experience and everything to do with what you’re missing in the presentation?
    In this episode, I’m breaking down the three exact categories hiring teams are grading you on… and yes, I used to be the person creating the scorecards. I’ll show you how to use the prompt like a literal checklist, the basic mistakes that instantly cost you points, and how to prove you actually think like a strategic, consultative CSM (not just someone who can build a decent slide deck).
    I’ll also discuss executive presence and the subtle signals that make a team feel confident putting you in front of their biggest customers. If you want to stop guessing what they’re looking for and start positioning yourself as the obvious hire, this is your blueprint. And there’s one simple shift at the end that could put you ahead of 98% of candidates. Hit play and let’s dive in.
    00:43 – Why Presentations Are “Make or Break” in Customer Success Interviews
    04:07 – The Game-Changing Tip That Instantly Puts You Ahead of 80% of Candidates
    06:27 – The Three Big Categories Hiring Teams Use to Grade Candidates (And Where Most Applicants Slip Up)
    09:24 – Common Pitfalls: Why Generic Tactics and Lack of Engagement Hurt Your Chances
    15:09 – What Makes Executive Presence So Crucial During an Interview Presentation
    20:23 – Don’t Overwhelm Yourself: Pick 2–3 Areas to Improve Each Time
    OTHER EPISODES YOU'LL LOVE:
    🎙️Tune in to a curated playlist on tips to nail your next Customer Success Interview Presentation
    FREEBIES & RESOURCES:
    🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE
    🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
    🛎️ 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
    🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral
    CONNECT WITH ME:
    ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
    💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at [email protected]
    HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode110
    FOLLOW & REVIEW:
    Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things:
    👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop
    👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify!
    This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights.
    Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week.
    New episodes drop every Wednesday!
    Mentioned in this episode:
    We analyzed 1,474 CSM conversations to uncover why they’re leaving and what actually keeps them in 2026. Grab the free Talent Report here: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/report
  • Customer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager

    109. How to Get Promoted Internally in Customer Success (When a Role Opens on Your Team)

    25/02/2026 | 20 mins.
    Bold move, but here it is… being a top performer isn’t enough to land you that internal promotion you're eyeing. And if you think your KPIs will carry you to the next level, think again.
    I get this DM all the time, “Carly, there’s an opening on my team. Should I even bother applying?” In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what to say the moment a role is posted (yes, I give you the script), why being a top performer isn’t enough, and what leadership is really looking for when they promote internally. We’re talking performance vs. impact, how to make yourself difficult to replace, and how to position yourself as the obvious choice months before a role ever opens.
    If you’re tired of wondering whether you’re “good enough” or waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder, this will completely reframe how you think about internal growth. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to stop hoping for a promotion and start strategically earning it.
    Because when the next role opens… will they think of you first? Hit play and let’s make sure the answer is yes.
    And if you’re ready to make your next move, apply for one-on-one coaching HERE and let’s get your resume, interviews, and promotion strategy locked in.
    00:59 – Why You Can’t Wait for Your Manager to Notice You Want the Promotion
    04:20 – The Truth About Internal Postings: Someone’s (Probably) Already in Mind
    05:23 – Performance vs. Impact: Why Top Numbers Aren’t Enough for Career Growth
    09:13 – Fast, Actionable Ways to Show Internal and External Impact
    16:14 – How to Make Yourself Irreplaceable Before a Job Even Opens
    19:12 – What to Do If You Still Don’t Get the Promotion
    FREEBIES & RESOURCES:
    🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE
    🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
    🛎️ 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
    🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral
    CONNECT WITH ME:
    ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
    💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at [email protected]
    HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode109
    FOLLOW & REVIEW:
    Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things:
    👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop
    👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify!
    This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights.
    Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week.
    New episodes drop every Wednesday!
    Mentioned in this episode:
    We analyzed 1,474 CSM conversations to uncover why they’re leaving and what actually keeps them in 2026. Grab the free Talent Report here: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/report
  • Customer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager

    108. How to Land a Customer Success Job in Under 90 Days in 2026

    18/02/2026 | 20 mins.
    If your customer success job search has been dragging on for months, the problem probably isn’t your experience — it’s the strategy you’re using. On today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how my clients are landing customer success roles in under 90 days, even in a market where most searches take 6–12 months.
    If you’ve been applying nonstop, tweaking your resume, and still hearing crickets, I want you to know it’s not you… it’s the outdated approach you’ve been taught to follow.
    I’m walking you through the real, data-backed playbook we use behind the scenes to help job seekers stand out, get noticed by hiring managers, and start booking interviews faster. You’ll hear what’s actually working in 2026, why “doing all the right things” can still keep you stuck, and the shifts that can completely change your results.
    By the end, you’ll feel more clear, confident, and in control of your next move with a new perspective on what’s truly possible for your career. Hit play and let’s dive in.
    And if you’re ready to stop guessing and start getting real results in your job search, apply for coaching HERE and let’s build a strategy that helps you land the right customer success role faster and with confidence.
    1:10 – Why Your Customer Success Job Search Isn’t Working (Hint: It’s Not About Qualifications)
    3:01– Ben’s Story: 600 Applications, 0 Offers Until He Changed His Strategy
    5:53 – The New, Data-Backed Resume Rules for Customer Success
    8:09 – LinkedIn Optimization: How to Actually Show Up in Recruiter Searches
    9:10 – Why Direct Outreach Beats “Apply and Hope” Every Time
    10:55 – Interviewing Isn’t About Experience—It’s About Telling Your Story
    14:13 – Negotiating Offers: How to Stop Leaving Thousands on the Table
    16:25 – Coaching ROI: How Waiting Costs You Real Money
    FREEBIES & RESOURCES:
    🛎️ Actively looking for a job in Customer Success or plan to in the near future? Apply for 1:1 Coaching with me HERE
    🛎️ Optimize your resume for Customer Success jobs to land consistent interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/resume
    🛎️ 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
    🛎️ Learn how to Master Behavioral Interviews with my FREE Training: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/behavioral
    CONNECT WITH ME:
    ❤️ Let's be LinkedIn friends: www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/
    💭 Got any questions? Send me an email at [email protected]
    HEAD TO THE SHOW NOTES: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/episode108
    FOLLOW & REVIEW:
    Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could take a few seconds to do these two things:
    👉🏻 Hit the FOLLOW button so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop
    👉🏻 And either leave a review on Apple Podcasts or let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment over on Spotify!
    This helps me reach more customer success pros who need these insights.
    Thanks for tuning in to the Customer Success Career Coach podcast! I'll catch you next week.
    New episodes drop every Wednesday!
    Mentioned in this episode:
    We analyzed 1,474 CSM conversations to uncover why they’re leaving and what actually keeps them in 2026. Grab the free Talent Report here: https://customer-success-career.captivate.fm/report

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About Customer Success Career Coach, Career Tips and Proven Job Interview Strategies For Every Customer Success Manager

Customer Success Career Coach is the must-listen podcast for current and aspiring Customer Success pros. Join us as we spill the secret strategies and tips for building your Customer Success career. This isn't your typical snooze-fest – we're diving deep into the world of Customer Success careers. Whether you're starting from scratch (hey career transitioners!) or eyeing that next big promotion, we've got the playbook for you. I'm Carly Agar, your trusty 10+ year CS veteran and award-winning CS career coach, and I'm here to turn your career dreams into reality. Every Wednesday, join me and some amazing guests as we dish out practical advice and real-life steps you can actually use. No fluff, just stuff you can apply ASAP to score that dream job, snag that promotion, or become the team rockstar. What's on the Menu? 🔥 Pro Tips: Learn the tricks of the trade from seasoned pros. 🚀 Career Growth Hacks: Elevate your game, one episode at a time. 🔄 Unexpected Paths: Hear stories that'll make you rethink your career's GPS. Follow Carly on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/. For free job search tools, go to www.carlyagar.com/freebies. To work with Carly, go to https://www.carlyagar.com/apply Popular Episode Topics Include: Customer Success Career Tips for a CSM, Proven Job Interview Strategies and Professional Growth as a Customer Success Manager, SaaS Customer Success Career Tips for a CSM, Preparing for Your Next Customer Success Interview, Mastering Common CSM Interview Questions, Building a Standout Customer Success Resume, Landing Customer Success Jobs, Customer Success Skills Every CSM Needs to Grow
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