The Recruitment Show with Lewis Maleh

Today on Espresso with Lewis, I’m talking about one of those hiring debates that keeps coming up: is job hopping really a red flag?

A few months ago, I asked whether you’d be reluctant to hire someone who had four or five jobs in the space of five to seven years. The responses were interesting, but the bigger question is whether the number of moves really tells you enough about someone.

Bad bosses, toxic cultures, redundancies, roles that weren’t the right fit. There are plenty of reasons someone’s career might not look perfectly linear.

In this episode, I discuss why context matters, how candidates should explain frequent moves honestly, and why hiring managers should think twice before dismissing someone based on their CV alone.

I also cover:
• When job hopping can become a genuine concern
• Why leaving a bad working environment isn’t necessarily a red flag
• How to explain short tenures in an interview
• Why saying you “signed an NDA” is bad interview advice
• What hiring managers should ask before making assumptions
• Why staying two or three years in a role might be perfectly normal today
• How redundancies and changing markets have reshaped career histories
Sometimes there could be an incredible candidate hiding behind four or five moves. You won’t know unless you have the conversation.

What do you think? Is job hopping still a red flag?
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🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh
Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

Today on The Recruitment Show, Lewis Maleh is joined by Stephanie Ogden, CEO of Munich Re Syndicate , for the first episode in our special Dive In Festival series.

From walking into a new organisation knowing just one person to leading through uncertainty and navigating the rise of AI, Stephanie shares an honest perspective on what leadership really looks like today.

Together they discuss:
• What it's really like starting as CEO in a global organisation
• Why staying comfortable can hold you back
• The rise of AI and the importance of protecting your authentic voice
• Why negotiation, judgement and human relationships still matter
• Advice for professionals looking to build meaningful careers
• Hybrid working, leadership and the future of work

Whether you're leading a business, building your career, or simply curious about how AI is changing leadership, this conversation offers practical insights for leaders at every stage of their career.

This episode is the first in our special Dive In Festival series, exploring leadership, AI, culture and the future of work through conversations with senior leaders.

Show Notes:
Dive In Festival
https://diveinfestival.com
Connect with Stephanie Ogden
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-ogden-6b72a710/

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Connect with Lewis Maleh
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh
Learn more about Bentley Lewis
https://bentleylewis.com

Feeling stuck in your career? You're not alone.

In this episode, Lewis Maleh shares practical advice for anyone who feels they've lost direction, missed out on opportunities, or simply isn't sure what comes next.

He explains why you don't need to have your entire career mapped out, how to set meaningful goals without adding pressure, and why success isn't always about climbing the corporate ladder.

Lewis also shares the framework he uses to review his own progress, the importance of building a personal board of directors, and how small, consistent actions can create long-term career growth.

Whether you're just starting out, changing direction, or reassessing what's important, this episode offers practical ideas to help you move forward with confidence.

In this episode:
Why it's normal to feel stuck
How to define success on your own terms
A simple annual career review exercise
Setting goals without feeling overwhelmed
Why course-correcting is a strength
Building your own personal board of directors
Practical steps to regain momentum

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh
Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

Most references are official. Backchannel references are different.

In this episode, Lewis Maleh explores the reality of informal references in executive hiring, why they happen, and why hiring managers should be careful not to let a single opinion outweigh the evidence.

He discusses:
What backchannel references are
Why they happen in executive search
How much weight hiring managers should give them
Why context matters before making a hiring decision
What candidates should understand about professional reputation

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh
Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

Most senior leadership roles are never advertised.

Instead, they're filled through executive search firms, referrals and private networks. If recruiters can't find you, you may never even know the opportunity existed.

In this episode, Lewis Maleh explains how executive search really works, from market mapping and longlists to shortlists and final interviews. He also shares practical advice on how to become more visible to executive recruiters, build meaningful relationships with search firms and position yourself for future leadership opportunities.

Whether you're actively looking for your next role or simply planning ahead, understanding how executive search works can completely change your approach to career progression.

In this episode:
Why many executive roles are never advertised
How executive search firms identify candidates
Why networking matters more than applying online
How LinkedIn helps recruiters find talent
What recruiters look for during executive interviews
Practical ways to become more visible in the hidden job market

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh
Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com