Hiring is getting noisier. Brian Pahl breaks down what still gets people hired in technical manufacturing.
Marc Crosby and Brian call out what leaders miss on succession, interviews, LinkedIn, and remote work.

• Why succession planning should start before the role is open
• What hiring managers actually notice in interviews
• How LinkedIn keywords help recruiters find the right people
• When remote work expands talent and when on-site still wins
• Why networking beats resume polish in a crowded market
• How leaders can look past industry boxes and hire for fit first

[00:00] Intro
[00:41] How Brian got into recruiting
[02:14] Market shifts in chemicals, electronics, and materials
[04:19] The hardest roles to fill right now
[06:03] Soft skills, leadership, and culture fit
[07:41] Gen Z, retention, and clear career paths
[10:32] AI, resumes, and why relationships still matter
[16:18] How companies stop missing strong candidates
[19:17] Internal vs external succession planning
[20:56] Remote, hybrid, and the return to office
[24:09] LinkedIn profiles, keywords, and candidate outreach
[29:45] Why some candidates get hired and others do not
[32:41] Interview prep that actually helps
[35:27] Brian’s advice for leaders and candidates
[37:48] Where to find Brian and Critical Fit Recruiting

This episode is for manufacturing leaders building a stronger bench, candidates trying to stand out without playing keyword games, and commercial or technical teams hiring into specialty markets.

Hosted by Marc Crosby of Digital Rebels. Guest Brian Pahl, President of Critical Fit Recruiting, an executive search firm focused on technical manufacturing and high-growth markets.
Connect with Brian Pahl on LinkedIn and explore Critical Fit Recruiting for open roles and company info. (LinkedIn)
Follow Marc Crosby on LinkedIn and see more from Digital Rebels Consulting. (LinkedIn)

#BurnThePlaybook #ManufacturingHiring #ExecutiveRecruiting #Leadership

executive recruiting;manufacturing hiring;industrial recruiting;technical recruiting;succession planning;LinkedIn;job interview tips;candidate experience;hiring managers;talent acquisition;remote vs onsite work;executive search;specialty chemicals;semiconductor hiring;manufacturing leadership

Most candidates blend in. Brian Pahl explains what actually gets people hired in manufacturing and technical markets. #ExecutiveRecruiting

Remote or on-site? Brian Pahl breaks down when each model helps or hurts your hiring strategy. #ManufacturingHiring

Your resume is not enough. This clip shows why networking and interview prep still decide who gets the offer. #JobSearchTips

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• Email → marc@digitalrebelsconsulting.com
• Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/burn-the-playbook/id1828969451
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