Candid With Candidates
If you’ve ever wondered how people actually build careers inside major organizations, not just what they post on LinkedIn, this podcast is for you.
Candid with Candidates is hosted by Jenn Hahn, founder and CEO of J Recruiting Services, a national recruitment firm specializing in retail, wholesale, and distribution.
In each episode, Jenn sits down with corporate leaders, from CMOs and senior executives to rising directors, to talk through the real decisions, setbacks, and moments that shaped their careers.
This isn’t a highlight reel. These are thoughtful, honest conversations about what it takes to grow inside the corporate world, and how the people leading those organizations actually got there.
Whether you’re just starting out, managing a team, or already established in your career, you’ll hear stories that help you feel informed, encouraged, and more connected to your own professional path.
This podcast also serves as a space for leaders to share their perspectives and showcase their organizations, making it a valuable tool for both talent attraction and industry insight.
What you’ll learn from each episode:
- How real people move from entry-level to executive roles
- What leadership looks like behind the scenes
- The soft skills and mindset shifts that matter most
- How companies grow and retain top talent
- Honest advice from people who’ve done the work
New episodes drop every second Tuesday, starting June 3rd.
Make sure to follow Candid with Candidates wherever you get your podcasts, and get ready to hear the stories that don’t make it to the company bio.
Candid With Candidates
How Julian Semer Went from Finance to Shaping the Future of Retail Media at Albertsons
What does it really take to build a business inside a business?
In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Julian Semer, Director of In-Store Media at Albertsons, to unpack how a finance background, entrepreneurial drive, and deep curiosity led him to one of the most innovative and fast-evolving areas in retail.
Julian shares how he went from building KPI models in finance to launching an in-store media business within a Fortune 100 company. He offers clear, strategic insights into what it takes to build from the ground up, communicate complexity across stakeholders, and lead with clarity in a high-pressure environment.
What You'll Learn:
- How Julian translated a finance career into a retail media leadership role
- How anyone can design KPIs that connect strategy to execution
- Why understanding your stakeholders' goals is essential to gaining buy-in
- How to stay grounded and lead through rapid growth and change
- Why curiosity and action—not credentials—often open the right doors
- What hiring managers might miss when they rely too heavily on resumes
- How designing for what good looks like has set Julian up to build incredible systems and teams
Whether you’re building a team, launching something new, or navigating a career pivot, this episode offers real-world insight you can use right away.
Guest Links:
Connect with Julian Semer on LinkedIn
Explore Albertsons Companies: albertsonscompanies.com/
Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.
For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn