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
Why Career Development Matters More Than the Next Title—An Interview with Jason Nichol of Gordon Food Service
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What does it take to prepare yourself for executive leadership without becoming overly focused on the next title?
In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Jason Nichol, Executive Vice President & President of Specialty Companies and Strategic Ventures at Gordon Food Service, to discuss the experiences, decisions, and leadership lessons that shaped his career.
Jason shares his journey from early roles at Nabisco through leadership at Tyson Foods and ultimately Gordon Food Service, including why getting comfortable with discomfort, staying curious, and developing an enterprise mindset have been critical to his growth.
Throughout the conversation, Jason shares insights on:
- Why career development matters more than career progression
- How lateral moves and challenging assignments can prepare you for greater responsibility
- Why leaders must understand how the entire organization creates value
- How executive leadership shifts from having the answers to asking the right questions
- Why curiosity and continuous learning remain essential at every career level
- How an overplayed leadership strength can become a weakness
- What he looks for when interviewing candidates for leadership roles
Jason also explains why he encourages professionals to think of their careers as a pyramid rather than a ladder, building a broad foundation of experiences, relationships, capabilities, and lessons that can support greater responsibility over time.
Whether you're developing as a leader or working toward an executive role, this episode offers practical guidance on building the experience and perspective needed to lead at the next level.
🎧 Listen now for Jason Nichol’s candid advice on career growth, leadership development, and preparing yourself for what comes next.
Guest Links:
Jason Nichol on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-nichol-3881946/
Gordon Food Service Website: https://gfs.com/en-us/
Next Steps:
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For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn