Favourite Positions
Work has changed and so should the way we think about it. Favourite Positions explores modern careers, leadership and human skills so you can move forward with intention and confidence.
Hosted by Alex Young, the podcast brings honest, thoughtful conversations with founders and leaders who are reshaping how work works. From practical career insight to big ideas about purpose and growth, each episode helps you think differently about your next step, whether you’re early in your career, switching paths or leading others.
Favourite Positions is part of a broader platform supporting people and organisations to build careers they love and workplaces that empower them. With no fluff, real-world tools and a community of people who value clarity and curiosity, this is your go-to space for inspiring stories and practical guidance.
Favourite Positions
Episode 02: Work In Progress - Cameron MacRae
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💬 Summary
In this episode, we sit down with Cameron MacRae – Global Director at Bottle Rocket Search – to talk all things work, hiring and how to know if a job is actually right for you.
From front-of-house roles in coworking to global leadership in commercial real estate, Cameron shares a decade’s worth of lessons on what’s changed since Covid, how to protect your energy, and why understanding your own boundaries is the key to landing a role you love – and growing in it.
We also get honest about red flags in interviews (including when a company says “we’re like a family”), burnout from people-pleasing, and the difference between applying for a job and building a career that works for you.
💡 Takeaways
- Culture fit matters – but it’s about values, not vibes
- If a job spec says “we’re like a family” – run
- Front-of-house roles are some of the hardest in the business – and the least flexible
- You don’t need to say yes to everything to prove your worth
- If you’re interviewing, ask why the role exists and what success looks like
- Unlimited annual leave is great – if the culture supports taking it
- Knowing your boundaries is the first step to building a sustainable career
- Recruitment is more like matchmaking than sales – the right recruiter will help you reflect, not just apply
- Being honest (with yourself and others) is the fastest route to career growth
🔥 Favourite Soundbites
“Don’t just apply for a job – know what you don’t want, too.”
“If you can’t explain what success looks like in a role, it’s not the right role.”
“A job interview isn’t a test – it’s a conversation. Ask your questions too.”
“Culture is who you hire – not what’s on the website.”
🕒 Chapters
02:21 – Meet Cameron: from sport science to global director
06:47 – The jump from student housing to coworking
10:06 – Post-Covid work shifts: what’s changed and what hasn’t
15:02 – Front-of-house roles: the underappreciated MVPs
17:22 – Unlimited leave, burnout and balance
23:10 – People pleasing, boundaries and how to say no
27:33 – Interview advice from someone who’s seen it all
31:01 – Red flags, green flags and spotting the truth
35:34 – What success really looks like (and how to ask about it)
42:03 – What company culture actually means
47:44 – Why younger employees struggle to set boundaries
53:12 – When saying yes too often starts to backfire
57:37 – Recruiters: how to use them, and how to know they’re good
01:00:01 – The power of honesty (with yourself and others)
01:01:00 – Cameron’s final advice: define what matters to you
https://bottlerocketsearch.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-macrae-the-office-space-recruiter/
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